Drop a Shoebox

[rlovell383]

We are in the process of rebuilding the suspension of my Dads 55 Chevy with all new parts. Poly bushings, edelbrock shocks, 1 1/8 front sway bar..... We would like to lower it down about 1 1/2 inches. We arent building a corner carver, just a nice handling weekender. The stock springs are in excellent condition and we would like to reuse them. I know cutting them will increase the rate but they cant exactly be stock car springs to begin with, and we only want to drop it a little. How much should we start with? One coil? Or would that be too much. Thanks for any help.

Randy

[Lowend]

I'm not sure on a shoebox, but for a 70-81 Camaro 1/2 a coil = 1" of drop
FYI Global West makes but does not advertise drop springs for the 55-7 chevy

[USAZR1]

We are in the process of rebuilding the suspension of my Dads 55 Chevy with all new parts. Poly bushings, edelbrock shocks, 1 1/8 front sway bar..... We would like to lower it down about 1 1/2 inches. We arent building a corner carver, just a nice handling weekender. The stock springs are in excellent condition and we would like to reuse them. I know cutting them will increase the rate but they cant exactly be stock car springs to begin with, and we only want to drop it a little. How much should we start with? One coil? Or would that be too much. Thanks for any help.
Randy

On my 57 Nomad,I installed a pair of Total Cost Involved's dropped spindles and their 1" dropped springs. Worked like a champ.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Since you are only going with 1 1/2" drop I would start with 1/2 coil at a time to be safe. It only takes a few minutes to put it back in and set the car down. Then if it needs to be lower you can just pull them out and cut again. Better to take your time than cut too much.

[rlovell383]

If I do cut just half a coil, how do I re-install the spring correctly? The Upper and lower spring pockets are grooved to orient the spring only one way. Thanks

Randy

[aonghus]

This is something I do not understand... Springs are not THAT expensive, do it the correct way, buy lowering springs.... if you cut too much you'll have to buy new springs anyway.

[CAMAROBOY69]

If I do cut just half a coil, how do I re-install the spring correctly? The Upper and lower spring pockets are grooved to orient the spring only one way. Thanks

Randy

You just install the spring back into the A-arm. It will seat itself correctly.

This is something I do not understand... Springs are not THAT expensive, do it the correct way, buy lowering springs.... if you cut too much you'll have to buy new springs anyway.

Because 9 out of 10 members end up cutting their new coils anyway because they never set where they want them too. Save the money and just cut your current coils. There is nothing wrong at all with cutting coils.

[Travis B]

This is something I do not understand... Springs are not THAT expensive, do it the correct way, buy lowering springs.... if you cut too much you'll have to buy new springs anyway.

lowering springs never get it low enough..thats why you cut them!

[CAMAROBOY69]

lowering springs never get it low enough..thats why you cut them!

Amen brother.
Just look back at all of the posts on this site "I bought these ##### springs and my car still sits too high" We have heard this wayyyy to many times. Then they end up cutting the brand new springs to get the stance they want.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Most factory springs have a fairly low spring rate. So, even though people are cutting the lowering springs, they're still getting a stiffer rate (I realize that cutting the springs increases the weight some as well.). Cutting the factory springs is the cheapest way to lower a car, but from a performance standpoint, it's far from ideal.

[rlovell383]

So it dosent matter if one end of the spring isnt seated in the pocket groove? Seems to me like it would?

Randy

[CAMAROBOY69]

So it dosent matter if one end of the spring isnt seated in the pocket groove? Seems to me like it would?

Randy

The law of physics will make it set where its supposed to as soon as you drop the car down. Ive been riding on my springs for over a year since I cut them and they are still exactly where they were last year at this time. If you still have doubts just watch all the videos of my car from last years event at Gingerman Raceway. ANd im not talking drag racing. This is a track with 11 turns. A decent car can reach 105-110 on the straight aways before the 90degree corners.
CONCLUSION:
I guess we can go over your options again. Cut your current coils for free or spend your hard earned money on new ones and still have to cut them if you dont get the stance you want.