Cutting A Coil - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center

Polygon · 05-08-2008, 07:23 PM

I have the Eibach Pro Kit ready to go on my GTC. I've read that they won't lower my car much, if at all. I would like it to drop it an inch if I can. The only solution I've heard is to cut half a coil off. I've always been under the impression that you should never cut a progressive spring. However, the argument I've heard is that you cut the half off a coil that just has another coil resting on it so it won't effect the spring rate.

I'm not sure about that, what do you guys think? If I have to leave it at the stock ride height, fine. I'd rather not effect the handling negatively.

mehlosTT · 05-08-2008, 07:54 PM

The Eibach Pro spring rates are considerably higher than the stock springs and handling will be a bit better because the CG (center of gravity) has been lowered. The car's roll center geometry is another thing.
Back to cutting the Eibachs idea_ For God's SAKE NO___ unless you always drive below 40 mph. Cutting them anywhere affects the overall progressive rate. There is a lot of time and money in the engineering development in the size, diameter, tensile strength and length, etc., that makes a decent spring for a given car...cutting them is silly and to be avoided UNLESS__ it's a show car only, something that you you won't ever want to drive and corner safely in.

And yes, I have owned and tried many springs including the Eibachs for road and race. Eibachs are great for a stock weight VR4. If you have a CF hood and race size dry cell battery and other weight reductions in front, the spring rate will become effectively higher ( firmer). Before you have them mounted, absolutely get silicone hose that you can grease up and slide over the top 2 and bottom three coils to prevent that god awefull rattle when you hit some road surfaces and the spring will want to almost hop out of the bottom perch as it extends.
The Tein S Tech come with the covered coils and are quiet but theirs are a tad less in spring rate than the Eibachs.

Hope this saves you some nightmares of driving and saves others that might be driving near those with cut springs

Polygon · 05-08-2008, 08:23 PM

Oh, these aren't for the Stealth. These are for my other car. They're really the best option I have for the car. I've checked and even if they do lower the car an inch they won't take the center of gravity below that roll center and even if they do I am putting an adjustable solid track bar on.

As for cutting, that what I always have thought which is why I asked if there's any validity to the argument that coils just rest on each other.

Thanks for the input.

05-08-2008, 07:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Polygon GTCUL8R Join Date: May 2006 Location: Utah Drives: '89 GTC & '91 R/T TT Trader Rating: (11)	Cutting A Coil I have the Eibach Pro Kit ready to go on my GTC. I've read that they won't lower my car much, if at all. I would like it to drop it an inch if I can. The only solution I've heard is to cut half a coil off. I've always been under the impression that you should never cut a progressive spring. However, the argument I've heard is that you cut the half off a coil that just has another coil resting on it so it won't effect the spring rate. I'm not sure about that, what do you guys think? If I have to leave it at the stock ride height, fine. I'd rather not effect the handling negatively. __________________ Clint: 1989 Chrysler LeBaron GTC Turbo II - 1991 Dodge Stealth R/T TT

05-08-2008, 07:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
mehlosTT 220K club Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Twin Cities_MN, USA Drives: AWD or nothing. Trader Rating: (8)	Re: Cutting A Coil The Eibach Pro spring rates are considerably higher than the stock springs and handling will be a bit better because the CG (center of gravity) has been lowered. The car's roll center geometry is another thing. Back to cutting the Eibachs idea_ For God's SAKE NO___ unless you always drive below 40 mph. Cutting them anywhere affects the overall progressive rate. There is a lot of time and money in the engineering development in the size, diameter, tensile strength and length, etc., that makes a decent spring for a given car...cutting them is silly and to be avoided UNLESS__ it's a show car only, something that you you won't ever want to drive and corner safely in. And yes, I have owned and tried many springs including the Eibachs for road and race. Eibachs are great for a stock weight VR4. If you have a CF hood and race size dry cell battery and other weight reductions in front, the spring rate will become effectively higher ( firmer). Before you have them mounted, absolutely get silicone hose that you can grease up and slide over the top 2 and bottom three coils to prevent that god awefull rattle when you hit some road surfaces and the spring will want to almost hop out of the bottom perch as it extends. The Tein S Tech come with the covered coils and are quiet but theirs are a tad less in spring rate than the Eibachs. Hope this saves you some nightmares of driving and saves others that might be driving near those with cut springs __________________ '92 R/T TT 236 K mileage club AEM EMS, Twin TD-O5 MHI EVO 16G, Electronics: AEM ems, FJO dual WBO2, GaugeTech AEM ems display, custom made EL type main gauge faces, [/size]

05-08-2008, 08:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Polygon GTCUL8R Join Date: May 2006 Location: Utah Drives: '89 GTC & '91 R/T TT Trader Rating: (11)	Re: Cutting A Coil Oh, these aren't for the Stealth. These are for my other car. They're really the best option I have for the car. I've checked and even if they do lower the car an inch they won't take the center of gravity below that roll center and even if they do I am putting an adjustable solid track bar on. As for cutting, that what I always have thought which is why I asked if there's any validity to the argument that coils just rest on each other. Thanks for the input.

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