Has anybody "shortened" their stock springs?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Lamonte, MO
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Has anybody "shortened" their stock springs?
I was thinking of cutting my springs in the front to lower the car.
If this is not a good idea how much are the aftermarket springs? How do you lower the car in the rear.?
82 camaro
If this is not a good idea how much are the aftermarket springs? How do you lower the car in the rear.?
82 camaro
#2
TGO Supporter
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: So.west IN
Posts: 6,775
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes
on
23 Posts
Car: 87 Formula/ 00 Xtreme
Engine: TPI 305/ v6
Transmission: struggling t-5/ 4l60E
Axle/Gears: 3.08/ 3.23
" Before you invest in a new set of coil springs to lower the front of your car, you may want to consider cutting them instead. According to chassis expert Herb Adams, cutting your (Camaro's) springs by ½ a coil will lower your car but still maintain adequate ride hieght.
1. Carfull remove the coil springs following the procedure outlined in you car's shiop manual. Note how the end coils of the spring are bent slightly so that it seats properly an the frame and A-arm. Most stock springs can be trimmed a half coil to provide the proper ride height for improved handling. Mark the spring directly across from the original end (as shown).
2. Cut the spring with an acetylene torch
3. Heat the half coil below your cut to match the spring's oiginal shape.
4. Quickly turn the spring upside down and bend the top coil by pushing down on the spring. {b]Do Not[/b] quench the spring with water; allow it to ait-cool slowly.
5. Paint and install it according to the direction on your shop manual. Realign the fron t end following the recommendation in VSE's Performance Handbook. " - Camaro Performance Handbook
I wouldn't recommend doing this to IROC springs or WS6 spring because doing this will increase the spring rate making the already rock hard performance springs even worse.
------------------
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach
you to keep your mouth shut."
1. Carfull remove the coil springs following the procedure outlined in you car's shiop manual. Note how the end coils of the spring are bent slightly so that it seats properly an the frame and A-arm. Most stock springs can be trimmed a half coil to provide the proper ride height for improved handling. Mark the spring directly across from the original end (as shown).
2. Cut the spring with an acetylene torch
3. Heat the half coil below your cut to match the spring's oiginal shape.
4. Quickly turn the spring upside down and bend the top coil by pushing down on the spring. {b]Do Not[/b] quench the spring with water; allow it to ait-cool slowly.
5. Paint and install it according to the direction on your shop manual. Realign the fron t end following the recommendation in VSE's Performance Handbook. " - Camaro Performance Handbook
I wouldn't recommend doing this to IROC springs or WS6 spring because doing this will increase the spring rate making the already rock hard performance springs even worse.
------------------
- my Formula Homepage
- Collision P/Ns & Diagrams (Nearly complete now!)
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach
you to keep your mouth shut."
#3
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 90 IROC 5.7 hardtop
Engine: L98
Transmission: T5 swap
Axle/Gears: Yup -- they still work
I tried this on my '85 IROC. What a disaster -- 6 months later everything was rubbing on everything in sight after cutting off only one coil.
Ended up buying new springs to fix the problem. Get some springs made for the job I say.
My .02 cents worth.
Ended up buying new springs to fix the problem. Get some springs made for the job I say.
My .02 cents worth.
#4
Supreme Member
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: NE
Posts: 2,860
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 82 camaro SC
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Cutting will lower it and make it stiffer. I would go half a coil like he said above. Keep in mind that drop springs are pretty cheap anymore. A set of four matched springs will handle nice.
------------------
350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro
------------------
350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Brooklin, ME USA
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does Herb Adams really recommend using a torch to cut coil springs? I thought heat would destroy the temper. I've not cut springs on an F-body but have shortened old corvette springs using a new hacksaw blade dry.
#7
Supreme Member
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Midlothian,VA. 23112-6108
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1982 Z-28
Engine: 5.0 w/ Holly carb
Transmission: TH-700R4
I was going to use the cutoff wheel tool from work.Then heat and recurve the bottom to fit like it was originally.
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Tallahassee, FL. USA
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: 350 Crate Motor
Transmission: Tremec TKO
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 3.73
Herb Adams recommends cutting spring with a cutoff wheel, and then heating the last coil just enough to bend it flat like the original end of the spring.(in his book on performance suspension).
Aftermarket Springs are pretty inexpensive now, but if you're on a budget, there's nothing wrong with cutting the stockers.
I currently have Eibach Pro-Kit Springs and I still had to cut them 3/4 coil to get the ride height where I wanted it.
As for how much to cut off, that will vary, depending on how much the springs are already sagging.It'll take some experimenting.It's time-consuming, I know, but chopping off a little at a time is the only way to get it right without going too far.Once you've cut too much off,you'll have to replace them.
In addition to making your car look and handle better,the shorter springs make it a lot easier to dissassemble your front suspension.I don't even need a floor jack to compress the spring any more,I can just pop it in the pocket and lift up the A-arm by hand to reconnect the spindle to the strut.
Hope this helps.
-Rich-
Aftermarket Springs are pretty inexpensive now, but if you're on a budget, there's nothing wrong with cutting the stockers.
I currently have Eibach Pro-Kit Springs and I still had to cut them 3/4 coil to get the ride height where I wanted it.
As for how much to cut off, that will vary, depending on how much the springs are already sagging.It'll take some experimenting.It's time-consuming, I know, but chopping off a little at a time is the only way to get it right without going too far.Once you've cut too much off,you'll have to replace them.
In addition to making your car look and handle better,the shorter springs make it a lot easier to dissassemble your front suspension.I don't even need a floor jack to compress the spring any more,I can just pop it in the pocket and lift up the A-arm by hand to reconnect the spindle to the strut.
Hope this helps.
-Rich-
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ambainb
Camaros for Sale
11
04-25-2016 09:21 PM
sailtexas186548
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
10
08-26-2015 03:32 PM
1988iroc350tpi
Tech / General Engine
8
08-14-2015 07:52 PM