david01130

I am trying to lower my front end. I have a set of 15" AR torq thrust wheels on 225/60/15 bfg radial TAs that I am trying to squeeze in there. I am going to cut my springs but not sure by how much. I want to lower it about an inch but does anyone know what the rate is when cutting the springs? Like if I cut 1/2" it will lower it an inch and if I cut a full turn it will lower it two inches etc.

greystallion66

DON'T DO IT! Cutting coils off the coil springs messes with the spring rate. If you want to lower your car an inch, buy the 620 coils with a 1 inch drop or do the shelby drop. Both give you a 1 inch drop the correct way. Not by rigging it by cutting off part of your coil springs.

pass1over

I wouldnt cut more than 1/4 coil at a time. Its a painfully time consuming process to cut a small amount, then reinstall and check ride height, but its the best way. Remember, you can always take more off, but you cant add back.

I think I ended up cutting about 1/2 a coil or so to get the last 3/4"-1" that I needed. The shelby drop and 620 springs wasnt quite enough.

Dont use a torch to do it.

david01130

All I am looking to do is lower it an inch. I think half a coil should be enough. I have heard it changes the spring rate but I still dont understand how. The physics of it states that the spring rate is constant in a uniform spring (which I believe these are they arent progressive or anything) no matter what the length. I have heard it is not the right way to do it but I have also never heard of anyone with problems and I have seen it done numerous times. Id say more than a coil would be a little much but half a coil wont hurt anything. Even if the spring rate does change the shocks are also there to maintain the ride quality.

sixt5

i dont know about spring rates but i do know how it looks. i have cut 620 springs and the shelby drop.



i cut half a coil. i'd probably only cut a 1/4 if i had the chance to do it over. it makes it HARD to work on cause you gotta jack it up and use jack stands every time. this way looks KILLER though!

Starfury

Spring rate depends on wire diameter, coil diameter, and the number of coils. Think of it as a giant, coiled up torsion bar (because that's what it is). The shorter the bar, the stiffer the spring. There is no real easy way to determine ride height vs coil cut, though. It's going to be trial and error.

If you're using stock springs, I'd strongly recommend switching to aftermarket springs, or at least OEM GT spring replacements. Stock non-GT springs are pretty spongy, and you might find the car bottoming out too much after you cut the springs down.

david01130

I just cut the springs half a coil. From the ground to the top of the fender lip it was originally 27.25". After I cut the spring it was 26.75". So it lowered about 3/4". I was hoping to get it down to 1-1.5". I turned the wheel, rolled the car back and forth, and pushed down on the fender to try to get it to settle down as best I could. I also do not think these are stock springs seeing that the height and strength is so much. I have another coupe thats lower than this and it has uncut stock springs. Will driving the car around help it to settle down some more? I can only think it may a little because the spring might not be seated completely. I wouldnt want to take the spring out again I am using some crappy spring compressor and a dull hack saw

Starfury

Yes, driving it will likely help it settle a bit more.

For your own safety, don't use a crappy spring compressor. If it breaks, you could be hospitalized or killed.

kalli

yep. will come down further usually. I would'nt cut anymore anyway.
I have HD springs, stock size and my 215/60R15 are rubbing on hard cornering already (maybe due to 3.75"BS, don't know)