73 Firebird front drop???

[FORMULA X]

Hi pro-tourers,This is my first posting.I have a 73 Formula Firebird I am working with on a beer budget.Does anyone know how many coil(s) I need to cut out of the stock front springs to get a 2"-3" drop?I have about 3 1/2" of clearence in the front from the fender lip edge to the top of the tire(looks like a 4x4).I have added 17"s all around and modified some shackles to get the rear right.Can't afford dropped spindles or springs.Any help would be greatly appreciated.Thanks,X

[critter]

I cut a half coil and dropped 2 inches. Much more than that and you really should look at custom springs.

And welcome to the forum.

[FORMULA X]

Thanks Critter.Had a friend telling me to cut 1-1 1/2 coils out to start.Sounds Like half a coil should work great!

[LeighP]

Can't really say how many coils to cut, as spring pitches vary so it'd be different from one spring to another.
Slide under the front and measure the installed spring. You want to cut enough off to lower your car the right amount.....the ratio is 2:1 - the ride height will drop two inches for every inch you remove at the spring. Cutting your coils this much will have the effect of increasing the spring rate, so it will get stiffer the more you cut. Use a cutoff disc, not an oxy set to trim the coils.
Be conservative, you don't want to cut too much off then have to buy new springs...better you spend a little time trialing the ride height after each cut...at least your time is free.

[FORMULA X]

Really good advice Leigh.Thanks!

[mjoc1]

new springs are cheap and when lowering you need a stiffer rate spring anyways. save up some cash and buy a proper set of lowering springs

Mike

[OLDFLM]

I've got the HO Racing front springs (550lbs) available off my car if you're interested... lmk

[a73formula]

I second the cut and check and then cut a gain till you get it. A little at a time is better than having to start over cause you cut off to much. Also everyones gonna be different. Mine could be one coil to equal 3" because I have more miles on my springs than yours, just something else to think about when getting an idea on how much to cut. Good to see another 73 on here

[79T/Aman]

Again you need stiffer springs when you lower so get the right spring

[Lowend]

In my experience 1/2 a coil = 1" of drop.
I would not take off more than 1 coil or go any lower than that on a stock rate spring

[formulafr]

In my experience 1/2 a coil = 1" of drop.
I would not take off more than 1 coil or go any lower than that on a stock rate spring

is it with stock springs or not?