Hey all, I'm about to embark upon a coil-cutting session, and I'd like to see if anyone has cut more/less than 1 coil from the springs, and in turn would like to see the ride height. A before & after is even better if you've got it.
I'm most interested in seeing front & rear (all four springs cut), but would also like to see front only too.

After searching PFF, I understand the '88s were a little different, and seemed to ride slightly higher in the front, so I'm really only interested in seeing pre-'88s.
Thanks a million!
-Paul

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Journal of a concept: http://southeastfieros.com >>> Build Thread >>> Parts thread (for project funding)

That's an 85 GT, with one coil removed from the front springs, and adjustable coilover sleeves in the rear.

quote Originally posted by pmbrunelle: That's an 85 GT, with one coil removed from the front springs, and adjustable coilover sleeves in the rear.

Perfect! Thank you... now let me ask, do you feel the ride would be jeopardized if you had cut 1.5 coils? I'd like to see mine sit a pinch lower than that, and I want some opinionated feedback on how it feels, if you've bottomed out, etc.

Here's what I have now (just bought it)... I don't have a pic of it unloaded yet, but you can kinda see where it sits:

quote Originally posted by pmbrunelle: That's an 85 GT, with one coil removed from the front springs, and adjustable coilover sleeves in the rear.

Are those 17, or 18 inch?

Hey Fieroboom, I cut 1.5 coils it looks like this with 26" diameter tires and fender flares that give an additional widebody/lowered look.

Stock height coils


Cut 1.5"

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Indy Northstar-Stretch ~ LT1-NOS Roadster

quote Originally posted by Fiero2m8: Hey Fieroboom, I cut 1.5 coils it looks like this with 26" diameter tires and fender flares that give an additional widebody/lowered look.

That *almost* looks 'shopped... Stock rolling diameter is 24", so I'd have roughly an inch more than you between the fenders & tires.... Did you have to cut out any wheel well liner material for yours?

This is the ride height on mine with eibach springs, and a coil cut in the front... which I figure equates to about one coil cut in the back, and two coils cut up front:



And here's the before:

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Stock 14" tires



25.4" tires



All pics from the Roadster build thread in my sig...

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Indy Northstar-Stretch ~ LT1-NOS Roadster

quote Originally posted by doublec4: This is the ride height on mine with eibach springs, and a coil cut in the front... which I figure equates to about one coil cut in the back, and two coils cut up front:

That is exactly how I want the front of mine to sit, and about a 1/2 inch lower in the back. It just looks 200% better like that!
I'm just kinda scared that I might need to get stiffer springs in order to not bottom out...

I like the "raked" look as well, my eibachs are probably stiffer than the stock springs.. and the front rides VERY low. If I hit a big enough bump/pothole, I'm definite that it bottoms out, however I try to dodge pot holes.

If money is tight, cut your springs, but if you have a little to spare, go with intrax or other brands of springs that offer a 2inch - 2.5 inch drop all around and you'll get similar results without having to cut springs. They also offer progressive rate springs so the stiffness is there when you need it.

I went with eibachs and was dissapointed with the front drop... the rear is good enough for me though.

quote Originally posted by fieroboom: I'm just kinda scared that I might need to get stiffer springs in order to not bottom out...

Cutting them will stiffen them although you'll need to modify or remove the bump stops in the front for 1.5 coils.



I have a set of 1.5 coils cut on the shelf if you weren't so far away

Hey Boom, (and anyone else contemplating cutting coil springs),

*If you are going to cut coil springs, use a carbide CUT OFF WHEEL.

A torch will distemper the springs and they will go all saggy and twisty on you, in short order.

A friendly reminder from your Fiero friend in Nevada.
(That has some really twisted funky coil springs, that were cut with a torch, hanging from the rafters in my garage).

quote Originally posted by doublec4: If money is tight, cut your springs, but if you have a little to spare, go with intrax or other brands of springs that offer a 2inch - 2.5 inch drop all around and you'll get similar results without having to cut springs. They also offer progressive rate springs so the stiffness is there when you need it.

I totally agree, but right now, I'm looking for quick-'n-dirty so I have a decent looking ride for Daytona. There's always later, but since I already have my work cut out for me with an engine swap before then, I'll just cut springs for now.

quote Originally posted by Fiero2m8: I have a set of 1.5 coils cut on the shelf if you weren't so far away

Thanks! I've got extras, so no big deal if I completely screw it up. I just got through page 1 of your roadster build.... WOW
I got to the end of the page, and was like "oh... dam, only page 1 ?!?"

The intrax springs are suppose to be really hard to find if i was not mistaken?I would like a set,But think i will do the wheels first and see how much i need to drop.

quote Originally posted by doublec4: Are those 17, or 18 inch?

Your wheels like like my wheels haha.

They're 17x7 wheels, with el-cheapo 225/45/R17 Kumho 711 tires.

They look cool, but they weigh a ton, so one day, money permitting (broke 19 year old), I'd like to get lighter weight wheels.
I'd like to get Konig Daylites, in the 17x7, 40mm offset, and 5/100 pattern, weigh only 14.2 lbs each. At $195.99 Canadian a wheel from 1010tires.com

quote Originally posted by fieroboom: Perfect! Thank you... now let me ask, do you feel the ride would be jeopardized if you had cut 1.5 coils? I'd like to see mine sit a pinch lower than that, and I want some opinionated feedback on how it feels, if you've bottomed out, etc. Here's what I have now (just bought it)... I don't have a pic of it unloaded yet, but you can kinda see where it sits:

Now as I just mentioned, my opinion is biased by my probably 22 lb rims, and all that unsprung weight is horrible for the ride and handling.

It's hard to say since the ride is influenced by my modified rear suspension also, so I can't single out the effects of the front springs.

That said, with my single coil removed, the ride is not the best... but I prefer stiff go-kart handling. I very rarely bottom out on bumps in the road, then again Quebec roads are pretty bad. My bumpstops are stock. Even though it's a pre-88, there's not much nosedive on braking.

If I lived in the USA (much better roads I think), I probably wouldn't hesitate to remove another half coil.

W^4 * G
------------ = K
8 * N * D^3

Where:
K = Spring rate in pounds per inch
W = Diameter of the spring wire in inches
G = 12,000,000 for steel springs (a constant)
N = Number of active coils (number of coils that are free to move + 1/2 coil)
D = Diameter of the coils measured to the center of the wire, in inches

With that equation, even if the only thing you know is the number of coils, and the number of coils you want to remove, you can still calculate how much stiffer the spring will get after cutting compared to before.

And yes, never use a torch to cut springs as has been mentioned earlier. I would use a hacksaw.

i love how you can get away with doing this everywhere but in PA commonwelth states suck.

1 3/4 Cut. 18x8.5 wrapped in 225-40.



I still need to cut the bump stops.

Are those slim headlights you got there?

quote Originally posted by fieroboom: Thanks! I've got extras, so no big deal if I completely screw it up. I just got through page 1 of your roadster build.... WOW I got to the end of the page, and was like "oh... dam, only page 1 ?!?"

A angle grinder with a thin cutoff wheel works well and some snow to keep it cool
LOL Thanks, it was a good learning project and I printed the build thread to keep in a binder for the next owner.
Good luck with your projects.

quote Originally posted by fieroboom: Haha! Thanks for the warning! I was thinking I could take it slow with an abrasive blade and it shouldn't heat up too much. I'm pretty sure that will work.

I cut mine down on the SE with an air grinder and cut off wheel. One coil and the car looked great.

My 85 GT had one and a half coils remove from the front and coil over springs in the back. It was low, I couldnt get 2 fingers between the tire and fender. Too low for around here, one coil is enough for me.

[This message has been edited by Jake_Dragon (edited 02-10-2009).]

quote Originally posted by Jake_Dragon: I cut mine down on the SE with an air grinder and cut off wheel. One coil and the car looked great. My 85 GT had one and a half coils remove from the front and coil over springs in the back. It was low, I couldnt get 2 fingers between the tire and fender. Too low for around here, one coil is enough for me.

That front sits perfect. I think 1.5 is the answer on the front.
As far as the rear, it seems like most of you are doing coilovers... Has anyone just cut the existing springs in the rear?

Just remember you can always cut more off but you cant uncut springs.

quote Originally posted by Jake_Dragon: Just remember you can always cut more off but you cant uncut springs.

Yes, very good point. I had thought of that, so I think 1 coil is a safe starting point, then I'll go from there.

If your going to cut the rear springs make sure they will still sit in the spring perch. Cut a little from the top and the bottom if you can but make sure it will seat all the way and not slip out or you could break a spring.
I used coil overs but if I had it to do again I would probably just cut the stock springs. $300 VS $0.25 for a cut off wheel.

I cut 1 3/4 coils off the front and 2 5/8 coils in the rear.

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87 SE 60* Turbo

Screw the L67...

quote Originally posted by fieroboom: Yes, very good point. I had thought of that, so I think 1 coil is a safe starting point, then I'll go from there.

When I did 1.5 in the rear, I regreted not doing less.
The ride was jouncy and remember there's less coils in the back so it dropped more than expected.
I've switched to coilovers now that are adjustable.

quote Originally posted by AutoTech: I cut 1 3/4 coils off the front and 2 5/8 coils in the rear.

Are you kidding? That's exactly the look I'm going for! Yours is the perfect height, front & rear, but looking at 2m8's post above, I almost have to wonder if you're kidding... ?!?

No, not kidding lol.

He has 26" tires, which I am assuming is a bigger diameter, as well as body work done. The illusion will be different.

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87 SE 60* Turbo

Screw the L67...

quote Originally posted by AutoTech: No, not kidding lol. He has 26" tires, which I am assuming is a bigger diameter, as well as body work done. The illusion will be different.

*shudder* Heh, it's hard to believe I can make it sit like that with no money... Are yours 24" rollers? If so, everyone in this thread gets a +, because that is the exact look I'm wanting to achieve...

quote Originally posted by AutoTech: I cut 1 3/4 coils off the front and 2 5/8 coils in the rear.

Ummmmmm I dont buy it !!! The rear strut coils only have about 6 total. I was just putting my rear suspension back on today, if there were 2 5/8 coils cut the spring would not beach the hat before the strut bottomed out.

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[This message has been edited by Mike Gonzalez (edited 02-12-2009).]

quote Originally posted by Mike Gonzalez: Ummmmmm I dont buy it !!! The rear strut coils only have about 6 total. I was just putting my rear suspension back on today, if there were 2 5/8 coils cut the spring would not beach the hat before the strut bottomed out. ............

That is why there are technical schools, so that people like you may learn to further their education.

You are half correct, however. The spring will be approximately half of the original length, and it wont touch the hat until you begin to lower the vehicle. This is the only downfall, when lowering the car back on its rear wheels, you must make sure that they seat and align properly.

As a side note to fieroboom - Don't forget to cut 2" off of the front bump stops, and remove the rears completely. You may leave the rears in if you feel necessary, but you will contact them on medium-large potholes.

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87 SE 60* Turbo

Screw the L67...

quote Originally posted by AutoTech: That is why there are technical schools, so that people like you may learn to further their education.

I didnt try to insult you, dont know why you feel you need to try to Insult me, Just said I dont buy it, I actually thought maybe you mis-typed the amount you cut and was making a joke about it. If 2 5/8 is the amountyou cut and it works for you fine. I would not even try it after spending this afternoon staring at the springs.

I apologize if I came across as rude, it was not an intention.

I believe I started out by cutting 1.5 coils in the rear, in fear of removing too much. As you mentioned earlier, there are fewer coils to work with. When all was said and done, it took 2 5/8 to get the ride height as it sits at today.

I have done multiple, early and late model Fieros, with the same overall outcome.

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87 SE 60* Turbo

Screw the L67...

quote Originally posted by Erik: Imagine if you go flying over a bump with such a setup What do you do then?

Something to the effect of HANG ON!!!!!

quote Originally posted by Erik: Imagine if you go flying over a bump with such a setup What do you do then?

You would have bigger issues if that were to happen...lol.

Seriously though, the spring would become unseated and it would just rest incorrectly. It will still support the vehicle... My floor jack let loose once while lowering the car, I speak from experience

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87 SE 60* Turbo

Screw the L67...

quote Originally posted by AutoTech: You would have bigger issues if that were to happen...lol. Seriously though, the spring would become unseated and it would just rest incorrectly. It will still support the vehicle... My floor jack let loose once while lowering the car, I speak from experience

You could tie the spring top and bottom to the perch/hat ..talk about a hard ride

r u lo?

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...050410-1-044648.html