Cutting front springs

[Chalino]

I know that "the way to go" is to buy a set of lowering springs but please listen to me. I read on IX registry of an actual engineer "modifying" his front springs on this IX by cutting of a coil. Acording to the guy, these are dead coils that do NOT affect the spring rate. I'm happy with how the back end looks and I'm just looking to lower the front a tad. Does anyone have personal experience with cutting STOCK springs and having adverse effects? Keep in mind I've heard all of the "don't do it", "ricer", "buy lowering springs"....

[monty23psk]

Have you researched heating them and then applying weight to lower them? Have seen an e30 with this and it looked good and the ride was still fine. Just another option and sorry if it does not answer your question.

[DesktopDave]

The coils aren't parallel on the rear.  There's a lot of area on the perch & swing arm, but I'd be worried about the coil squirming around on the mount.   I have seen a lot of successful lowering jobs with a coil or two cut off.  If it's done right I see no problem with it.

[P. Kennedy]

I know there is a fairly old post on here from a guy who did cut his own front springs.  Seems to me it was titled "want an even ride height" or something to that effect.  He was happy with the results.  I did a couple of quick searches but didn't find it immediately (never can) but do a little digging and it will show up.

[Chalino]

Thanks for the quick replies guys! Yes, I really just want to lower the front end since the wheel gap is about 3" higher in the front. I'd be a bit more worried about heating the springs since it's kinda hard to apply the same amount of heat throughout the process and then there's the whole weakening deal....Not saying cutting is fool-proof but it seems a bit more "safe" lol

The rears won't be touched so I'm not worried about non-parallel coils. the front seem to be straight so I feel I can cut a coil or two and have the spring sit correctly on the perch.

[flyinglizard]

I cut exactly one front coil. The front drop is about 1.5in. Drives much better and looks right.  reset toe when done.  Cutting does increase the spring rate by about 18%+-, or so.
 91 IS, Mike Ogren /Protech
 Dont heat them, cut them quick. with a hot ass torch. Heating and lowering is bad for the springs, the heat goes way too far around the coil and it coilbinds at less compresion.

[JOMARO]

I heated & cut both front and rear but i went way low, 2.5 coils as I can remember(on 17'' u couldnt see the tires on the rear) I ll c if i still have a photo or so ,the ride was too hard for my taste,and when I replaced it with  HRs after a year or so I found both rear springs cracked :rolleyes:

[tony92ic]

Cutting a coil was a common old school trick on 2002s.  I bought a tii that had cut coils and the look was great, but the ride was surprisingly harsh. I switched to H&Rs. Big improvement.

You might also think about first removing the rubber pads at the top and bottom of the spring. I did this front and rear to my 318is along with M3 springs and really like the stance. I cut up one of those heavy plastic rock salt bags to create a liner to replace the pads just so it wasn't metal on metal. No problems after 4 years this way.

[dvmotorsports]

DON'T DO IT!!. I seriously can't believe people are encouraging this.

Here is what happens. Your spring is designed to compress X". By cutting the springs, they don't get stiffer, They stay at the same rate. Now they still travel X' and you have less spring length.

Do what you want, but get yourself some or several spare lower oil pans. I bought a car that had cut springs in the front. Went through a few pans before I got around to picking up some E30M3 ST springs.

But seriously, this is a stupid idea. If you crack the pan and don't catch it immediately, you'll be buying the correct springs and another motor.

[Chalino]

DON'T DO IT!!. I seriously can't believe people are encouraging this.

Here is what happens. Your spring is designed to compress X". By cutting the springs, they don't get stiffer, They stay at the same rate. Now they still travel X' and you have less spring length.

Do what you want, but get yourself some or several spare lower oil pans. I bought a car that had cut springs in the front. Went through a few pans before I got around to picking up some E30M3 ST springs.

But seriously, this is a stupid idea. If you crack the pan and don't catch it immediately, you'll be buying the correct springs and another motor.

I repsect your opinion, as it seems that you have first-hand experience in the subject. With that said, busted oil pans are a risk when lowering these cars regardless of method. Shit, the pan is low enough at stock height let alone lowered any tiny but; but it's a risk most of us are willing to take.

Controversial topic to say the least...

[dvmotorsports]

I have extremely stiff coilovers. When at full drop I can't lay a pack a cigarettes flat and slide it underneath the pan. I haven't cracked one yet. Here in Hawaii, I am spun all the way up because the roads are a nightmare. I have roughly 2.0" to 2.5" of clearance with no issues.

[flyinglizard]

Cutting the  springs does increase spring rate. Do more research. Thanks, MM

[dvmotorsports]

Cutting the  springs does increase spring rate. Do more research. Thanks, MM

Rarely, but more often then not, they stay the same or drop. If they do go up, it's very minimal. But not near enough to compensate for the extra travel. When you buy lowering springs, you typically don't get a shorter spring, with the same spring gap. You normally get a shorter spring with just as many or more coils and they are wound tighter. It's simple physics, i just don't want to write a book.

If you absolutely have to cut, run more, and stiffer bump stops.

I tell people the rate drops to discourage this type of stupidity

And rates are irrelevant. Click here

[carlos318is]

I have cut the 2 front springs on my E30 318is only 1 coil and the ride and handling has not changed at all

[4banger]

cutting springs is a old old trick.  ive cut a few down before. i didnt use a torch i used a big ass band saw i have at the shop. i supose if you wanted to keep the heat factor down a plasma would be the way to go.