New spring rate

[twfurst]

On my 87 Monte I am running the Hotchkis springs. The last time the car was all together I felt that the front did not sit low enough. I've been tempted to cut a coil off each, but am not unsure of where this will take the spring rate. I'm fairly certain it will raise it, but how much, and will it be unpleasant to drive? Thanks for all the help that you guys always provide.

[Carver67]

twfurst,
I've often heard the same question and wasn't sure about the answer until i ran across some info during a google search.
The answer was on the Eaton Springs website. (link below)
It gives a nice, real world explination and then gives formulas I wouldn't want to tackle without a math major sitting next to me.

Good luck on the Monte
-Mike

http://www.eatonsprings.com/atqCuttingCoilSpringsCalculations.htm

Mods- if posting a link to their website is inappropriate please remove

[David Pozzi]

Here's some "Farmer Math".

Count the "active" coils, - those that don't bottom out on the next coil when installed. If you cut off a coil that bottoms out against a nearby coil, it makes very little change in spring rate when removed, if you cut off a full active coil, the rate increases by the drop in coil count.

An 8 coil spring - removing one, is 1/8 stiffer. This is not exact by any means, but easier to estimate.

Divide 100 by 8 = 12.5% rate change for each coil. Just remember we are talking about active coils.

Most early Camaros have 325 lb in springs, larger cars have stiffer springs but not all that much stiffer in the late 60's early 70's.