Thats interesting. I never paid attention to them because I simply went with coilovers as soon as I purchased the car. I assume you can only cut the top of the spring since the lower part is conical?
Thats interesting. I never paid attention to them because I simply went with coilovers as soon as I purchased the car. I assume you can only cut the top of the spring since the lower part is conical?
Correct
I could see coilovers only if looking for more wheel clearance on the wheel/strut area
So the consequences is cut all four springs? Wouldn't that make my suspension loose?
No, the weight of the car is held by the springs. Cutting them half of a coil won't affect ride harshness significantly or make your suspension feel loose. It would be a good idea to modify the front suspension bump stops to prevent bottoming out the front suspension.
It would be a good idea to modify the front suspension bump stops to prevent bottoming out the front suspension.
...which on the '84-'87 is a relatively major job (cutting, shortening, and rewelding the metal cones) compared to just needing to trim the rubber bump stops on an '88.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 10-06-2024).]
No, the weight of the car is held by the springs. Cutting them half of a coil won't affect ride harshness significantly or make your suspension feel loose. It would be a good idea to modify the front suspension bump stops to prevent bottoming out the front suspension.
Do not use heat to cut the springs, use a saw.
So would i cut all four springs 1 inch shorter? And would I just cut the bump stops an inch? And would I cut the springson the top or bottom? Thanks.
Originally posted by LS4FieroGuy: So would i cut all four springs 1 inch shorter? And would I just cut the bump stops an inch? And would I cut the springson the top or bottom? Thanks.
In the front: https://fieroguruperformance.com/?page_id=1157 The springs are in the middle of the lower control arm, so 1" cut on the spring = 2" lowering of the car. You can always cut more, but can't add it back, so start with cutting 1/2 to 3/4 of the top of bottom coil with a cut off disk. Then install the cut end facing down and make sure it rests in the recessed groove in the lower control arm.
If you are running KYB shocks, they are longer than stock and with the shorter bump stop, you will want to add spacers between the shock t-bar and the lower control arm. Using 3/8" nuts as spacers works, or you can get some 1/2" tall spacers. This keeps the shock from bottoming out internally before the bump stop hits.
You can trim the stock bump stop, but Dorman 31053 is a near bolt in solution. Just need to enlarge the bolt hole in the lower control arm slightly (I think to 3/8") and it drops right in. I swapped to these on my car earlier this year.
For the rear, again start with smaller cuts and work up to the amount of lowering. The cuts have to be from the top larger diameter of the spring as the lower portion has to rest in the lower spring perch.
As an alternative, cut down front springs can work in the rear if you make a flat plate with a centering ring for the top of the spring. This will give you a stiffer spring rate (220ish vs 145).
[This message has been edited by fieroguru (edited 10-08-2024).]
In the front: https://fieroguruperformance.com/?page_id=1157 The springs are in the middle of the lower control arm, so 1" cut on the spring = 2" lowering of the car. You can always cut more, but can't add it back, so start with cutting 1/2 to 3/4 of the top of bottom coil with a cut off disk. Then install the cut end facing down and make sure it rests in the recessed groove in the lower control arm.
If you are running KYB shocks, they are longer than stock and with the shorter bump stop, you will want to add spacers between the shock t-bar and the lower control arm. Using 3/8" nuts as spacers works, or you can get some 1/2" tall spacers. This keeps the shock from bottoming out internally before the bump stop hits.
You can trim the stock bump stop, but Dorman 31053 is a near bolt in solution. Just need to enlarge the bolt hole in the lower control arm slightly (I think to 3/8") and it drops right in. I swapped to these on my car earlier this year.
For the rear, again start with smaller cuts and work up to the amount of lowering. The cuts have to be from the top larger diameter of the spring as the lower portion has to rest in the lower spring perch.
As an alternative, cut down front springs can work in the rear if you make a flat plate with a centering ring for the top of the spring. This will give you a stiffer spring rate (220ish vs 145).
So how much would I have to cut the rear springs? Would I cut the rear the same as the front?
I've cut springs on several cars over the years and from what I recall, there's no practical way to anticipate how much a car will drop- it's not a 1:1 ratio. I wouldn't do it if I was looking to drop more than 3/4 inch or so. Springs get stiffer the shorter they are and the more they are compressed, but generally, 1/4-1/2 a coil at a time is a safe way to to do it. Sure, it's a pain to remove, cut, reinstall, measure, repeat, but you can always cut more off- you can't add it back.
I've cut springs on several cars over the years and from what I recall, there's no practical way to anticipate how much a car will drop- it's not a 1:1 ratio. I wouldn't do it if I was looking to drop more than 3/4 inch or so. Springs get stiffer the shorter they are and the more they are compressed, but generally, 1/4-1/2 a coil at a time is a safe way to to do it. Sure, it's a pain to remove, cut, reinstall, measure, repeat, but you can always cut more off- you can't add it back.
So I guess my main question is to lower the car evenly do I cut the front springs and rear springs the same amount?
So I guess my main question is to lower the car evenly do I cut the front springs and rear springs the same amount?
Maybe, maybe not, what people have been saying is to cut them a little at a time until you are satisfied, get the front where you like it, then get the rear where you like it, by doing several small cuts instead of one big cut.
