Like the title says, I have a customer wanting his front end lowered and he wants me to cut the springs. Would 2 coils (the heating the bottom coil the re-create the seat) and shortening the bump stop still be safe? Anyone have a picture of the ride height after similar midification?
As I understand it, all fieros had the same length front springs. But they vary in spring rate depending on how the car was optioned.
[This message has been edited by fieroguy123 (edited 06-01-2011).]
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11:07 AM
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DLCLK87GT Member
Posts: 2694 From: South Jersey, USA Registered: Feb 2009
Not sure about how many is ok but I’m pretty sure you are NOT supposed to use heat on them. It’ll change the temper of the steel and the ratio of the spring…or something like that. Anyway heat + spring = bad. You can cut 3/4 to 1 off and see what it looks like. You can always cut more off, but you can't put it back on!
If you put heat to the coil it will colaps under the cars weight and you will be on the ground. So that is a big no no. This is how to turn your car into a dragger low rider
Nothing really dangerous about cutting stock springs...There is really nothing that can go wrong....
There is plenty can go wrong. There is a damn good reason that practice is banned here and many other countries. Throws spring rates out, bad handling, safety issues etc. But if none of that is important to you?
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10:09 PM
G_Reaper Member
Posts: 171 From: Nanaimo, BC, Canada Registered: May 2011
It is absolutely ok as long as you don't put the coils through too much heat stress (quick cutting). I would say max 2 coils off the front and 1.5 off the rear. I've got 18's with ~1.5 inches to the top of the wheel well from the wheel on the front and ~2.5 inches to the wheel well from the tire on the rear (better for take offs). I'll take a picture tomorrow and upload it here on Friday/Saturday night.
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10:11 PM
steve308 Member
Posts: 3969 From: Stafford VA Registered: Jan 2008
Never ever cut the coils in the middle! On a serious note --- how about using Rodneys 1" lowering ball joints -- could be a easier way to get the look.
Like the title says, I have a customer wanting his front end lowered and he wants me to cut the springs. Would 2 coils (the heating the bottom coil the re-create the seat) and shortening the bump stop still be safe? Anyone have a picture of the ride height after similar midification?
As I understand it, all fieros had the same length front springs. But they vary in spring rate depending on how the car was optioned.
Don't do that...buy proper lowering coil springs or get Rodney's lowering ball joints.
You do NOT heat springs and / or also suspension chassis parts.
That's why lowering springs exist...do it the right & safe way. Those that tell you to cut them is because their too cheap to buy a lowering kit.
------------------ fierogt28
88 GT, Loaded, 5-speed. 88 GT, 5-speed. All original.
[This message has been edited by fierogt28 (edited 06-01-2011).]
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11:44 PM
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Jun 2nd, 2011
Khw Member
Posts: 11139 From: South Weber, UT. U.S.A. Registered: Jun 2008
You do NOT heat springs and / or also suspension chassis parts.
3rd or 4th or 5th that sentiment expressed in this thread.
My Friend and neighbor, Lenny Jr., back when I was in Highschool decided one weekend while his parents were away he was going to use his Dads tortch to heat up his front springs and lower his 69 Camaro in the front. He figured he'd jack it up before the got home and extend them back with heat (son't know why he thought that would work...). Anywho, he went off to go to his freinds house and hit a dip in the road. The springs shattered where they had been heated. He ended up having to have his car towed home and get new springs for the front (obviously).
When you heat the metal it looses it's temper and crystalizes the carbon in the metal. It makes them VERY brittle.
Heating springs is not good....but cutting them is no differant from buying lowing springs...when cutting springs all you r doing is changing spring rate....the spring is not going to melt, fall apart, blow up,ect just from cutting a coil off...the only thing that could be dangerous is if you dont get it aligned afterwards and drive it in the rain....
You can cut as much as a coil and a half. I just did it on my 86' Sport. I would recommend around a coil, maybe coil and a quarter. No need to reshape the bottom, it fits back perfectly.
------------------ 86 Fiero 2M4 Silver, and 86 GT
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12:24 PM
KurtAKX Member
Posts: 4008 From: West Bloomfield, MI Registered: Feb 2002
On a serious note --- how about using Rodneys 1" lowering ball joints -- could be a easier way to get the look.
