Thanks TL, It sounds like "one coil at a time" is the standard for cutting and testing. When I cut, is this a perpendicular cut, or angled, or does it matter, as long as it is the same on both coils? Can I cut 1/2 or 1/3 coil for precision, if needed?
You should cut it straight. The end you cut is what fits into the saddle on the upper control arm. There is a stop on the saddle that the end of the spring butts against. The other end of the spring is flat and receives the insulator. That end goes up into the shock tower. I would install the springs as you receive them. Bounce the car up and down and maybe even drive around the block to settle the suspension, then take some careful measurements. Take the springs out and cut 1/2 coil and repeat the process. That'll give you an idea how much a cut affects the height. Like TL says, it takes some trial and error. and it's a lot easier to take more out later than add some back in. I would stop cutting when the height is just a little higher than what you want and drive the car a couple hundred mile and see if the springs settle some. When you're all done you may need to check wheel alignment. Camber setting can be affected.
Thanks for all the help. Is there a maximum amount of camber adjustment that can be made (I don't know the mechanics of allignment, just the theory)? I don't want to move things so much that the camber cannot be dialed in.
You won't go beyond the adjustable range, but you could have some bump steer and tire wear if it gets too far out.
Barry, check out the little number (1) under your name, Trader Rating...is that cool or what? Got my springs today. They look great. Hopefully, I can install them soon. Thanks for the transaction and the quick delivery. Scott
What is the rating on stock springs? I need to do something to the front of my stallion. I like the feel of heavier duty springs, but don't wan't to be excessive.
Scooper, with what was said, you should be able to cut springs a little different on each side to level out car. Rear springs might be able to take to spring shop for some arching to level out the rear. How long you going to be in Pittsburgh? Flying or driving? I hope to have the yellow drag "queen" running sometime in July!,? If you need anything in Pittsburgh, give me a holler
The factory springs have a range, depending on your engine, options and year. I believe a V8. big bumpered car with air probably has springs in the 400-450lb range. I went with the 550lb Mustang springs, and sometime I wish I had gone with the 620lb springs, like I did on my Mustang.
This is a very old thread...I was in Pittsburg right after the 2005 Roundup. The wife and I drove up there. I have recently found that the springs I bought were from JCWhitney and are considered "heavy duty" and lifted the car about 6". I had to cut quite a bit off to get the stance I have now, and they are nice and stiff. I leveled the lean out by putting a 1" drop block on my rear passenger side, lowering it to match the low driver side, and it also ended up looking pretty good dropped down a bit. The front pretty much leveled out after I did that.
Just noticed the "year" Looked at the month but failed on the year! Sorry on that! Oh well,,,,it's time for another trip back! Just do not do it this week with the US Open! Them there golfers are screwing everything up around here! Geez,, guys wearing funny looking clothes chasing balls around to hit,,,,,aaaa
I have to admit, we stopped for a couple days in Pittsburg and I was quite impressed with how much it has cleaned up in the past 20 years. It was a very enjoyable place with lots of entertainment. We went up on that cliff overlooking the water across from town, and then at the bottom of the cliff where all the restaurants and fountains were. Last time I was there, it was really dirty. This time I didn't even recognize it as being the same town
Thanks Max Power! I need to decide how much to go on the Stallion. So you would probably suggest at least 600 pounders for it? In the far future I need to redo the front of my 73 Mach(Cleveland, A/C, FMX) it looks perfect for height, but it is so soft that it bottoms out all of the time on RR tracks, etc. It also has immensely tall shackles in the rear that need to go. Steve
The ones I have were very tall and VERY stiff. I don't have a #lb rating for them, but they had half as many coils as my stock springs and were a good 4" taller. I only had to cut of 1.5 coils or so to drop it 6". If I had the JCwhitney catalog, I could give you the part number, but when I go to their website, it keeps leading me off into truck and van parts...
