STOCK SPRINGS CUT-OFF 1 COIL

[Ryan's 02 GT]

Cut-off 1 coil from Stock springs

Today I took out my Jamex springs and replace them back with the stock ones. The Jamex's dropped it about 2-2.5". Way too low for me. So I cut 1 coil off the stock ones and it's lowered about 1-1.25". Why doesn't anyone else do this? Am I in for something unusal to happen to me while I'm driving. The ride is the same as stock. If someone tells me how to post pic's I will. I have tried to post pics before but it just wont work.

 

[mcmmotorsports]

PM'd and emailed ya

 

[streetstang03]

i want to see the pics

 

[Beasty306GT]

NEVER EVER EVER CUT stock springs....always get aftermarket lowering springs...cuttin the springs is bad news so if i was you id take them out...

 

[mdvaldosta]

wtf dude theirs nothing wrong with cutting stock springs - worst that can happen is a harsher ride

 

[bowens99GT]

NEVER EVER EVER CUT stock springs....always get aftermarket lowering springs...cuttin the springs is bad news so if i was you id take them out...

Explain your reasoning please

 

[crazystang05]

yeah i am all about doing stuff for free and it sounds good to me i don;t see what makes it so bad

 

[Ryan's 02 GT]

NEVER EVER EVER CUT stock springs....always get aftermarket lowering springs...cuttin the springs is bad news so if i was you id take them out...
Today 08:41 PM

The stockers were thicker then the Jamex so what can happen. The aftermarket ones have fewer coils so cutting then I would think would be a definate nogo. So what is the reason?

 

[DBMSTNG]

it weakens the strength of the springs, decreases cornering ability and increases weight shifting. people don't do it because it's not good for the car.

 

[DBMSTNG]

oh yeah, also, since you lowered the car AND decreased the strength of the spring, you have a greater chance of bottoming out the car which is really bad for the car.

 

[Tunez4523]

What many people seem to not understand is that in a spring you have about 40% of the strength in each end coil and about 20% in the middle section. Any time you start to cutting end coils out you are effectivly reducing the overall strength of the spring. This is not as big of a problem in a linear rate spring that is designed to be cut if needed such as the FRPP C springs. It is more damaging in a progressive rate spring because it has less resistance at the beginning of the compression.

 

[Ryan's 02 GT]

What many people seem to not understand is that in a spring you have about 40% of the strength in each end coil and about 20% in the middle section. Any time you start to cutting end coils out you are effectivly reducing the overall strength of the spring. This is not as big of a problem in a linear rate spring that is designed to be cut if needed such as the FRPP C springs. It is more damaging in a progressive rate spring because it has less resistance at the beginning of the compression.

I'm still confused. If a springs has a constant sized (diameter) and distance between each coil how can the ends support 40%? Also given the rear springs bottom is a tighter coil how is it 40%? If you cut at the top you are not changing the distance between coils as they do not change until the bottom. Also when the cars weight is on the spring why don't the coils in the middle close together more then the ends? It all still looks evenly space throughout the spring. Still confused

 

[trents99]

I got a set of stock GTs for free and cut them 1 1/4 coils to try to get the look I wanted. It looks great but the ride is just too harsh. I'll be swapping them out soon. Here's a pic, up front I have the MM coil overs.

 

[Ryan's 02 GT]

here are two pics I think I got to load. These are with the Jamex springs

 

[kennym01]

Springs are fairly inexpensive to buy, so I don't really get why you guy's who cut your springs want to sacrifice ride quality just to save a few bucks. If a mod is worth doing it's worth doing right...I've driven in cars with cut springs and the ride was very harsh. Just buy a set of good springs that are rated for the lower stance, you'll be happier in the long run.

 

[CobraSusie]

NEVER EVER EVER CUT stock springs....always get aftermarket lowering springs...cuttin the springs is bad news so if i was you id take them out...

Very true, I know alot of guys in the neon club that cut their springs to save a buck, and it wasn't a good idea
you can tear alot up

 

[twogts4us]

I'm with KennyM01...any mod worth doing, is worth doing right.

 

[04DarkShadowGT]

There are really two reasons to not cut springs:

1) Bad and bouncy ride. You are keeping the same rate spring but have less spring there anymore. In essence making it a lower spring rate.

2) The springs will become easier to bottom out as said earlier. You are taking say 400lb spring and cutting off a coil making it say a 350lb spring or whatever.

There is a reason most if not all aftermarket springs are a higher spring rate. They are designed to still support the car while being lowered.

 

[mcmmotorsports]

Here are his pics:

Before

After

 

[302 coupe]

lots of bad information on here....
its fine to cut springs so long as you do it with a saw or cutting wheel-do not torch them! Secondly, cutting coils increases spring rate-it does not decrease spring rate. If you want to know why, get a machine or mechanism design book from your local library, take some measurements and work out the formula.
Third, cutting springs will not make the car bottom out easier than any other method of lowering the car. Obviously, any car with less suspension travel is more prone to bottom out, common sense people.
Fourth, the spring(when properly cut) does not lose any durability or strength.

DBMstang, normally a car with increased spring rate and a lower center of gravity will not experience any decreased cornering ability or increased weight jacking. Can you explain the phenomenon you decscribe, with facts?

With that being said, cutting coils on a variable rate spring would make it tricky to achieve the desired results. The only downside to cutting springs is that you could cut so much to make it sit right that the springs would be way too stiff. If you cut little by little, and get the desired drop with an acceptable ride quality, you're good to go.

BTW, looks like you got it sitting good.