Fickert

iTrader: (6)

So I am going to get my body kit soon and I finally have my car running again, but the space in my wheel wells especially the front is just too much, and I want to get rid of some of it. At the moment I am saving for some either tein basis coil overs or megan racing ones, and until then I want to drop my car a bit, figuring why not blow out my stock strut assembly now and replace them within a month or two. Anyway, I was looking at lowering coil springs and the just drop to much I think for stock dampers. I mean would my car bottom out easy with a 1.75 inch drop in the front? and a 1.5in drop in the rear? If not someone plear help verify, if not, my other solution is to cut my coil springs. I am wondering does anyone know how much to cut off for a 1.4ish in drop for the front and a 1.1-2ish in drop in the rear? Thanks! (Also I am getting a extreme dimentions competition body kit for me to put on my car if that helps with ride height, its basically the same as a mazdaspeed bumper.)

And I have replaced coil springs before so this isn't a big deal so please no shop recommendations.

RXeligion

Keep your ride at stock height until you have the time and resources to lower it in a way which is, at the very least, NOT DETRIMENTAL to performance. Don't get in a hurry and start ricing away a beautiful car.

The weather sucks here, anyway.

godesshunter

Sell your car. Buy a CRX

Slidin8

^this

Fickert

iTrader: (6)

hahaha thanks for all the input. And true weather isn't too great.

monchie

Did i miss anything? Never cut your springs... lol

Get lowering springs or coilovers if you can afford it.

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

Please no.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

I usually cut my shocks to lower my cars. Works like a charm while keeping the cushy ride of the stock springs. Just take a Sawzall to the shock and JB weld it together after.

bse50

Noob. I run my wheels without tyres. Lowering effect + sparks = win.

On a serious note: Cutting the springs is just dumb, don't do that.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

but moniche says its fine

RJayX-8

My rice senses are tingling

kmac540

Going to take the high road a little on this one - no response from the OP yet so I'm hoping he gets the point.

1. There is nothing wrong with cutting springs to lower a car, but unfortunately this isn't the 60's and it's not that simple any more. No one ever does it properly, and no modern car is setup with a suspension that has coil springs that can be cut properly.

2. Definitely don't lower this car until you are ready to do some kind of damper that is better/matched, otherwise you are just plain ruining a stock suspension that is very competent right off the showroom floor.

3. If you are not prepared/funded to do this properly please do as other members have suggested and buy a CRX. (okay, I might have taken the low road a little).

GK1707

iTrader: (10)

Cutting springs changes the spring rate. It'll no longer be able to hold the adequate load its intended for, i.e the cars weight. Blowing your shocks

Edit:
why you DONT cut springs - RX7Club.com

kmac540

Not to nit-pick, but cutting the springs increases the spring rate, no problems handling the load... The problem highlighted in your link is due to cutting too much of the spring not allowing for adequate compensation when there is too much rebound (pothole, etc)...

On a modern car this is never a good idea. I used to help my father and uncle modify and flip classic cars when I was younger. Long before companies like Hotchkis, etc made quality suspension products for muscle cars. On the typical 60's 70's vehicle you could get away with cutting a coil off the front springs to give the car a better stance, but that was about it.

It is a REALLY bad idea on modern suspensions even though a lot of ricers, etc get away with it.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Oh this was a great thread to bump. Thanks.

Mr_Pieper

Who uses springs these days? I just have tubes full of styrofoam around my shocks.

RadRedR3

Just don't. Please.

monchie

Monchie, not moniche...

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

Loser cleanup on aisle 5 please

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Truth. Spring constant equation to back it up, and fellow engineers should know the values: k = d^4 G / (8 D^3 N).

kmac540

...I almost didn't post, but I felt a little educational for a change. I normally don't contribute much at all, but my wife told me to be nicer and share with others.