Let me caveat this post by stating "I know this is not the correct way to do this" and please bear with my newbie question (and probably newbie logic) but hear me out:

I intend to put coilovers and new sway bars onto my non-magride z51 C7 and the car is used exclusively for HPDE. By all accounts, putting the coilovers and swaybars on is a straight-forward, easy job, and I appreciate all of the guides on this forum that show how to do that. The only challenge that I have seen is removing the front and rear leaf springs - they're not impossible to remove, it just takes effort, maybe a special GM tool, and time (depending whose write-up you read, anywhere from 3-5 hours plus cutting at least one bolt to remove the rear). I've installed coilover / suspension kits on other cars but this will be the first foray into a C7.

Given that:

1. I'm going to coilovers
2. won't need the leaf springs again
3. replacement leaf springs are readily available in both new and used form for relatively low cost ($100 used / $200 new apiece)
4. the number of used leaf springs already available on ebay is a fair number, I don't believe that I would be able to sell them in a timely fashion

why can't I just remove the load off of each spring, take a sawzall to the middle of them, unbolt the center brackets, and slide them out once they're in two pieces? I saw a video that referenced this method but that video didn't show any actual cutting.

Again, I appreciate that this is not the correct way to do this but considering the labor time to unbolt everything to slide the leafs out in one piece vs. the replacement cost IF I ever decide to go back to leaf springs seems to be about a push. Plus, me thinks that if I were to ever go back to leaf springs, I would probably upgrade to the z06 springs anyway.

Please let me know thoughts if I am being 1) incredibly stupid, 2) economic with my time or 3) _________ (you fill in the blank - extra points for creative insults ).
Let the roasting of me begin!
Thanks again for your time, advice, and patience.

 

I removed them by disconnecting a lower ball joint and letting the arm down with a jack the simply slid it out( after removing the center mounts

 

Even at full droop there is still some tension in the spring. As such I *personally* wouldn't cut one, but you do what you think is right

 

Just unbolt upper control arms and then the lower control arms will get to move down enough to let you unload the springs. At that point, they just slide out. You might need to unbolt bottom bolts of shocks as well, but don't remember it for sure : )

 

I don't remember being that difficult removing the leaf spring when I did coilovers. I would definitely not cut the leaf spring. I did on my c5 and it made a terrible mess. It is made of some composite fibers. I was itchy for a week and who knows what happens when you inhale that powder.

 

I had a beast of a time trying to remove the Leaf Springs when I did the Coil Overs. After 2 hours of fighting I cut them in half. No plans of using them again etc.

 

You can just cut it in half, the mounts on the cradle will prevent anything crazy from happening. Composite fibers mentioned above do suck, make sure to blow your forearms off compressed air before you put them on something and imbed the fibers.

 

I wouldn't cut them only because I've had to pull the transverse leaf spring out twice removing oil pans even just removed it last week. Impact removing the upper shock and a arms, remove one shock on passenger side(my preference), pull down a arms slide it right over to passenger side where shock is out, slip it out below k member. 20 mins or so. I mean pulling tires off is more of a pain to me. If you want it out easier remove sway bar bolts 4 total to k member and a arms drop more.

Cutting that spring might make a huge mess but your call at end of the day.

 

Can you just remove the spring on C7 Zo6 3 LZ with out installing coil over

On track mode will the shocks be stiff enough

And maybe more comfortable cruising on the street

Please let me know if anyone try this

 

No rebound. Would be a disaster.

 

Shocks only react/resist to motion; they do close to zero static support. You always need springs in one way or another; period.

 

I would strongly advise against even trying this. The spring supports the weight of the vehicle, the shock would bottom out immediately and without a spring to return it to static height it would just remain bottomed out and feel as if you put rods in place of the shocks.

 

when you get the leaf springs removed I would be interested in the lowering bolts if you want to sell them.