Let's Discuss - Cutting OE Springs...

[Atrus]

So, you guys tell me if I am completely off my rocker. Bear with me.

I want to lower the stance of the car, primarily the front end, purely for aesthetics. I am still rockin' OE springs and decarbons. I don't want to firm up the ride a ton. The car is a cruiser - I'll drive it spiritedly on the road, but it's not going to see a track - it's a vert after all. I'm also not looking to slam it - the 1.2" Strano/BMR drop in the front would work just fine for me. I really don't care if the car corners better - I don't push the car in the handling department even in stock form.

I'm considering cutting 1/2-1 coil off the OE springs to get a 1"-1.25" drop, and then doing the upper mount mod to offset the loss of travel. I'd also swap the 70k mile decarbons out for Bilsteins. Logically, it seems to make sense to me - slight increase in spring rate, shocks that can handle the slight increase, and restoration of the vast majority of lost suspension travel.

I've been searching the web, and see a few guys on LS1tech that have done it and swear by it. Of course, most folks go for BMR/Strano and Koni - but I really think their goals are different than mine. On the other hand, why is it that so few people did this?

I suppose it's worth a shot, right? Worst case I end up just toasting the set of stock springs.

Thoughts? Anyone done this? If so, how much did you cut off and what impact did it have on ride quality?
[MENTION=3169]BlackBirdDaddy[/MENTION], didn't you do this on Nasty Habit initially? What springs and shocks were you running, and how much did you cut?

[JoeliusZ28]

I dont know the answers to your questions but i will be paying attention to this discussion since im still undecided if i like the harshness of my BMR springs. The setup definitely does what it is supposed to for handling but i didnt expect a ride this firm.

I know nate has the eibach prokit and different shocks, his car rides a lot smoother than mine while sitting even lower

[Atrus]

I dont know the answers to your questions but i will be paying attention to this discussion since im still undecided if i like the harshness of my BMR springs. The setup definitely does what it is supposed to for handling but i didnt expect a ride this firm.

I know nate has the eibach prokit and different shocks, his car rides a lot smoother than mine while sitting even lower

I was really planning on doing what you had, but after hearing your feedback it's confirming what I was afraid of. I've been reading and it seems there are some folks who really don't like the Strano/BMR ride quality - I fully believe I'd be one of those people. I know those are "the best" - but I think they are "the best" at cornering and handling...which is very low on my priority list.

Interesting on the eibach kit since those are supposed to be one of the worst for ride quality.

[TB2]

Cut away. After my car was stripped of alot of its non-essentials it sat up like a truck. I cut off one round off of each of the front coils. Very slightly harsher, but the change in ride is almost un-noticable.

[WMCCjames]

Cut the springs. This used to be taboo back 5-10 years ago...until people figured out that it actually works quite well. I've been running on cut factory springs since about '97.

[JoeliusZ28]

Cut the springs. This used to be taboo back 5-10 years ago...until people figured out that it actually works quite well. I've been running on cut factory springs since about '97.

Is it as simple as cutting exactly the length of the spring that you want to lower the car?

Of course i gave away my stock struts before even driving my car with the new setup

[JoeliusZ28]

I was really planning on doing what you had, but after hearing your feedback it's confirming what I was afraid of. I've been reading and it seems there are some folks who really don't like the Strano/BMR ride quality - I fully believe I'd be one of those people. I know those are "the best" - but I think they are "the best" at cornering and handling...which is very low on my priority list.

Interesting on the eibach kit since those are supposed to be one of the worst for ride quality.

Again your welcome to come take a ride anytime.

[Atrus]

Is it as simple as cutting exactly the length of the spring that you want to lower the car?

Of course i gave away my stock struts before even driving my car

My understanding is, at least on the LS1 springs, 1 coil should drop you about 1"-1.5". By doing the UMM, it gets you some of the suspension travel back - about 1" of compression travel is restored.

[JoeliusZ28]

Ok, another thing i dont understand is why it affects the spring rate. Isnt it just less of the same spring?

[kammi10]

Cut the springs. This used to be taboo back 5-10 years ago...until people figured out that it actually works quite well. I've been running on cut factory springs since about '97.

i also was running on stock cut springs up front for a while and they were just a bit stiffer then before and it wasnt even that noticeable.. cut away.. just cut a little at a time so you dont go too low

[Atrus]

Ok, another thing i dont understand is why it affects the spring rate. Isnt it just less of the same spring?

It's a little over my head, but I do know it does increase the rate. I remember it from my ME classes (this is why I am an accountant, not an ME).

Here's some good info, Joel:

http://ls1tech.com/forums/suspension...ock-mount.html

and:

"But I only cut 1/3 of a full coil becuz did not want to overshoot. And sure enuff it was perfect...dropped me a full inch."

"Stock 300lb/inch front springs gain 25lb/inch for each coil you cut. So cutting 1/3 of a coil would not be a noticable rate increase at all.

The 110-115lb/inch rears gain 20lb for each coil you cut."

"Okay, a coil springs rate is determined by how much weight is needed to compress it 1". The top and bottom coils are known as "dead' coils because they don't contribute to the spring rate. So when you look at your front spring you see 9 coils and a 300lb spring rate. You subtract the dead coils on the ends so you have 7 coils making up the 300lb rate. Divide 300 by 7 and you see that each coil contributes about 40lbs. It's kinda funky to picture, but for every coil you cut off, the spring rate will go up 40lbs. So cut one coil off (from the big end only) and it's new spring rate will be 340lbs. I like having 450-500 lb springs up front myself, so 340 is not that great. It will ride smoothly though."

This is a good post: http://ls1tech.com/forums/13778922-post191.html

[WMCCjames]

Here is a great read on why spring rate goes up when you shorten them...also for you fellow nerds, it has the math to back it up.
http://www.eatonsprings.com/techques...lculations.htm

[Gregs_gsxr]

cutting the stock springs isnt tabo anymore like James was saying. Stacey David on Gearz did a good show on this. Its only when you heat the springs to lower them is tabo, cause you actual loose the spring rate when heating them (make them weak)

[JoeliusZ28]

Thinking maybe i should cut my SLP eibach springs i didnt use. Ill have to compare the rate to stockers.

[farmington]

if you cut them, do not use a torch, use a cut off wheel