cut springs ?

[bodyman]

ok i no this is not the idea thing to do !? but for now i was thinking of cutting the front coil springs on my 67 camaro . my question is should i cut from the top or bottom ? what to look out for ? thanks

[hotroddr]

its all good to cut them. I cut a coil and a half from mine then heated half way around the end from where I cut red hot and bent it flat so the spring will sit flat in the spring perch. I dont believe it matters which end you cut from. If this explanation isnt clear enough I can whip something up in paint to show what I mean.

[MrQuick]

cut the top for drag racing and the bottom for other. half coil at a time please. how far do you want to drop?

[hotroddr]

cut the top for drag racing and the bottom for other
why is that? I have never heard this before

[bodyman]

ok thanks guys!! i would like to get it down 2 to 3 in ? so it doesnt matter i can cut the top or bottom ?

[shmoov69]

A coil and 3/4 without flattening the ear on my old stockers dropped it 3 1/2". It all depends how wore your springs are.

[MrQuick]

why is that? I have never heard this before


Friends and I found this out many years ago. He screwed up and cut the wrong end (top) and found that his front end moved easily. I was told it may have something to do with the top coils being tighter (closer) to help store energy.

Also heating the pigtail is not necassary. Heat can cause an unwanted change in metal hardness and an unpredictble height change.

I have also found that with a new spring the height cut off can be multiplied by 2 to figure full weight drop on vehicle. ie: Say the free standing height of a spring is 14" from where the spring can sit flat. Cut 1" off of the height would drop the car by 2". This has been very accurate in my experience within 5/16".

[novanutcase]

I agree with Mr. Quick.....I cut mine 1 coil and it dropped 2 1/4"!

[dhardison]

I agree with Mr. Quick.....I cut mine 1 coil and it dropped 2 1/4"!
Same here with my out of the box Hotchkis coils. I have a new pair on order and will only cut 1/2 coil this time.

Anyone need a lightly used pair of Hotchkis coils??? :)

[MrQuick]

how far did you go? You can still use with a screw jack.

[Lowend]

1/2 a coil = 1" of drop on 2nd gens... I think the 1st gen is the same coil ratio

[6'9"Witha69]

1/2 a coil = 1" of drop on 2nd gens... I think the 1st gen is the same coil ratioThis has worked for me on 2 second gen and 3 first gen cars.

[67RScamaroVette]

i'm with these guys. i dropped 1 7/8" with one coil off.