Springs (Page 1/2)
austin8886 JUL 08, 04:10 PM
So I've been doing a lot of reading on here and research for 88 lowering springs, no one has them. However, WFC does the evidence is way too stacked against doing business with them. So I was thinking about other GM cars that use the same springs (14034238) that a few different cars have. To cut to the point, would using lowering springs from, for example, a 3rd Gen F body work since they use the same springs? I know a lot of people are going to say, "just cut the springs", but I'm pretty new to this and the idea of doing something wrong is very intimidating. Thanks in advance for all the tips and advice.
Patrick JUL 08, 09:05 PM

quote
Originally posted by austin8886:

I know a lot of people are going to say, "just cut the springs"...



Actually, some people here seem to get choked at the mention of cutting the springs. My take on it is that cutting the front springs works fine, especially if stiffer/longer springs from earlier years are used. However, cutting the rear springs IMO isn't the best idea as cut rear springs don't really sit in the strut all that well (due to the spring's design). I did this on my '84, and yeah, it's... okay, but just okay. I was fortunate though to acquire lowering springs for my '88 Formula. I used them in the back, but used cut '84 springs in the front (as I could tailor the height/stiffness to what I wanted).

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-08-2021).]

TXGOOD JUL 08, 10:02 PM
I just cut 1/2 a coil out of mine and I may take another 1/2.
I also have the Rodney Dickman lowering ball joints but my
car was pretty high in the front to begin with.
Skybax JUL 08, 11:11 PM
If you cut spring be sure to using "cutting tool" and not a torch, the objective is to keep it cool while cutting, you don't want to heat the spring only cut it, so I always recommend to people who ask me to submerge spring in a bucket of water while you cut it, even better also wrap a wet rag around spring near where you are cutting.

[This message has been edited by Skybax (edited 07-08-2021).]

austin8886 JUL 08, 11:36 PM
I really don't want to cut springs. If there are other lowering spring options for an 88 that be awesome, if not does anyone think that "off the shelf" lowering springs from a car that had that same 14034238 GM springs would work? I've already bought rear coilovers from Guru, the rears are good to go. I just want to wait and get the fronts done at the same time.
Patrick JUL 08, 11:53 PM

quote
Originally posted by austin8886:

So I was thinking about other GM cars that use the same springs (14034238) that a few different cars have. To cut to the point, would using lowering springs from, for example, a 3rd Gen F body work since they use the same springs?



So you're saying that a front engine 3rd Gen F body uses the same front springs as a mid-engine Fiero? I would tend to dis-believe that. Totally different weight distribution.
austin8886 JUL 09, 08:32 AM
https://www.gmwarehousedire...coil-spring-14034238
I'm not completely sure, but this website says these cars all used the same springs, but another site says they are Fiero specific. Which I don't believe. That doesn't sound like GM. It also says a LeSabre and Bonneville do as well.
TXGOOD JUL 09, 08:36 AM

quote
Originally posted by Skybax:

If you cut spring be sure to using "cutting tool" and not a torch, the objective is to keep it cool while cutting, you don't want to heat the spring only cut it, so I always recommend to people who ask me to submerge spring in a bucket of water while you cut it, even better also wrap a wet rag around spring near where you are cutting.




I just cut about 1/8" deep at a time, then held a wet rag around the coil.
It kept it cool.
I know that cutting springs changes the compression rate but I didn`t really notice it after cuttting mine.
Here is mine with 1" lowering ball joints and 1/2 a coil cut from the spring.

[This message has been edited by TXGOOD (edited 07-09-2021).]

Dennis LaGrua JUL 09, 10:53 AM
Lowering the car certainly looks nice, but is it practical? My Fiero with OEM springs sits 6 1/2" above ground level. Any lower than that and I'd be afraid to go over the road speed bumps that are now in many communities.

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Patrick JUL 09, 02:19 PM

quote
Originally posted by austin8886:

https://www.gmwarehousedire...coil-spring-14034238
I'm not completely sure, but this website says these cars all used the same springs, but another site says they are Fiero specific. Which I don't believe. That doesn't sound like GM. It also says a LeSabre and Bonneville do as well.



According to that site, the behemoth '84-'90 Buick Electra Estate Wagon uses the same front springs as an '84-'88 Fiero. Seriously, that's rather doubtful to say the least. I think you need a different source for spring information.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-09-2021).]