So i have a set of 88 front springs for my 86 GT. I got theses because back when i was young i cut 2 or 3 coils off my front 86 springs to get the ideal lowering, problem is i got a jarring, bouncing ride. I want to get a better ride while getting some lowering. I was told the 88 front springs will lower my 86 by 1 inch at stock. But as far as cutting off one coil on the 88 springs see pic below.

Would cutting one coil be at the first mark on the spring to the left, or the spring to the right??
I marked the springs with a silver marker, it's a bit hard to see but it's there.

i would think the one on the left (shorter one) would be considered "1 loop", i would like to see others opinions though. and also make sure your cutting with a hack saw and not a torch! the heat hardens the steel and will make for a weaker spring and harsher ride. keep us posted on what works out the best and height of drop also.

The one on the right is 1.5 coils, unless I'm looking at it wrong.
The one on the left is 1 coil, except that the end of the spring is "flat", so it won't provide quite as much drop.
I'd put them in without cutting and see what you've got before you start cutting.

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Raydar
88 4.9 Formula IMSA Fastback

Read Nealz Nuze! Praise the Lowered!

when I cut my 86 springs almost a decade ago i remember cutting 2 coils to get a 4 inch drop. But i didnt know anything about moving the bump stop, i have about a 1/2 inch room between the end of the bump stop and the control arm. ugh.

I was told the stock 88 fiero GT springs when installed in to a pre 88 will give you an 1 inch drop, is this true? If so, I think one coil for one more inch bringing us to 2 inches with the springs, then Rodneys 1" lowering ball joints for another bring the total drop to 3 inches. But youre right. I shoudl put them in first and see where we are at.

I'm still confused as to if the first coil is a full coil as it is flattened in to the spring.

[This message has been edited by Seanpaul (edited 02-20-2011).]

The 88 front springs are about 1" shorter to start with AND have a slighly softer spring rate... which means they will compress more than the 86 ones. Install them stock, drive them around the block a couple times and then decide if you want to cut them even more. You can always cut more, buit can't add any back.

If you only have 1/2" to the bump stop, you should move it higher. Failing to do so will ensure you continue to hit it during nromal driving and is the cause of the bouncy ride. If you are not going to move it, then you need stiffer springs (not softer ones) to further increase the force required to move the suspension to the bump stops to reduce how often you hit them daily.

With a 3" drop, you're going to have to look at whether you'll have enough clearance from the top of your tire to the underside of the upper framerail, remove the wheel well liner and you'll see it'll be very close. Even if you do have enough clearance in the static setting, you have to remember that the '88 springs are considerably softer than your old '84-'88 springs (even after cutting off 1 coil) and these will allow more wheel movement unless the suspension is prevented from doing so with the correct height bump stop. You'd be far better off buying the dropped ball joints and installing the '88 springs as-is to see where that takes you. Your '88 springs will have lost some of their temper if they are used and may sag more than you expect even without cutting them.

Edit: Darn that fieroguru guy... beat me to it again

[This message has been edited by Bloozberry (edited 02-20-2011).]

The previous owner of one of my Fieros had the springs cut on the front of my Fiero. I know noting about how much was cut, but I can tell you that it was enought that I hit the bump stops everytime I drove the car. The slightest bump in the road caused it to hit, and that made for a very rough and annoying ride. I changed the springs for a set of Eibach, replaced the shocks and ball joints. The ride is night and day from what I had before

Cutting the springs both lowers the car and increases the spring rate. Without properly upgraded shocks, you will hit the bump stops and have a bouncy harsh ride. Conversely, if you make adjustments to the bump stop to maintain travel, and put stiffer shocks in, you will have a stiffer ride, but not 'bouncy'. Bouncy is a factor mainly of not having adequate dampening from shocks. This is where Koni's come in...

-Darryl

quote Originally posted by dsnover: Cutting the springs both lowers the car and increases the spring rate. Without properly upgraded shocks, you will hit the bump stops and have a bouncy harsh ride. Conversely, if you make adjustments to the bump stop to maintain travel, and put stiffer shocks in, you will have a stiffer ride, but not 'bouncy'. Bouncy is a factor mainly of not having adequate dampening from shocks. This is where Koni's come in... -Darryl

"Without properly upgraded shocks, you will hit the bump stops and have a bouncy harsh ride. "
Q1: What would be a considerable "upgrade" in shocks after the cut? I used KYB's and it was still a problem.

"Bouncy is a factor mainly of not having adequate dampening from shocks. "
Q2: What is dampening? A stiffer shock?


So when one cuts the springs, this increases the spring rate (stiffens the spring) then that causes a bounce?
That bounce is then corrected with more dampening?

in your pic I would consider the left one cutting 1 coil

heres some other good info on cutting coils:

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/083905.html

ok, think i'll just cut the one coil, install them and see how it rides/looks.
Thanks guys. I'll post pics as well.