Hey guys,

So, I was thinking the other day.. If you add just lowering spring to an SS, it drops it, what, an inch to an inch and a half? That's fine. But what if you want it LOW? I'm not talking some crazy VW stance where the top of your fender covers half of your wheel, but rather just a real clean, tucked appearance. No wheel gap. Zero. I want it to be as low as possible without rubbing on the fender. I have s/c 18's right now, but I'm either going back to 17's with low's on them, or 16's with medium treads on them.. So, I was looking, and it looks like that if you drop it like 2 to 2 and a half inches, it should probably sit pretty good (at least with the 18's on.. I remember another member saying that he bought lowering springs, then cut them more so that it sat lower.. So it got me thinking.. Ok, if you're gonna spend the 150-ish to buy lowering springs to only cut them more, can you just cut the stockers and get it over with? I have the FE3 suspension, and I like how it feels, but I just want it lower. I'm tired of the wheel gap. Now, cutting springs is by no means new, but is it safe? I mean, it's basically like putting lowering springs on your car, but just another inch dropped.. I figure that as long as you leave the bump stops on, your struts should be ok for as long as possible, but I'd assume that the wear will certainly increase this way. I mean, hell, guys with Hondas and **** have been doing this forever. Is it safer cutting aftermarket springs than it is to cut stock ones? If so, i'll just go buy a cheaper set and I won't feel as bad about it.. But obviously stock springs would be the cheapest way.. My friend has all of the tools to do this, so that's not my issue. I just want to see if it's possible and still safe-ish. lol.

This guys car has a drop kinda like what I'm referring to:
https://www.cobaltss.net/gallery/bro...mageuser=23360

Any input would be great. Especially from you, Maven..

Thanks!

 

FASTL61 has cut his springs

 

That's the one in the link. haha

 

Sub'd for answers

 

so go cut your springs lol

 

plus look how big the tire walls are, depends if you have low profiles

 

I pm'd him to give some input. I love how his sits. I'd like to see if you can do stockers or if the aftermarket ones hold up better to cutting. Because, honestly, if I can get away with giving my friend 50 bucks for an afternoon to jack the **** up, cut them, and be done, it'd be far easier than 150 for springs, then 50 to install..

50 > 200 anyday

As I mentioned, I have 18's with lows right now.. But I'm gonna get 17's or 16's next with medium-ish to low-ish tires.. So it should have a well balanced look..

 

No. Cutting springs is NOT safe.

Lowering springs have higher spring rates than the stockers and are made to handle the extra abuse they take from having less room to travel.

Look around at different springs some will give you more of a drop than others and you should be able to find a set that will suit you. If you dont, then there is always coil-overs and airride.

 

I didn't mention coils because I'm obviously not trying to spend a grand. lol.

In his other thread, he said you can cut aftermarket ones because of the spring rate, but you have to do them a certain way or something..? We'll see what he says..

But honestly though, how is it "unsafe"? I'm not trying to be an ass, I'm just really not sure.. lol

 

Here you go:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=560348

http://www.djmsuspension.com/product...20springs.html


Basically, your stock springs are not designed for it and cannot hold up to the abuse.



Your cars suspension is one of the most important parts of your car. It keeps the car on the road and is responsible for providing needed traction. Do you really trust your life on some hack mod or $150 no-name ebay springs? I dont.

 

Coilovers, or SSC springs... For the love of God don't cut springs!

 

Dont be a ricer. Get coilovers if you want that stance.

 

Now I was told that I really don't need coil-overs, but rather just good springs and struts.. But I really love that stance..

 

You can not cut your stock ones,well the fronts you could but rears you can not because they get skinny at the end,so in terms if you cut them they would be to wide to sit in the cup.The fronts are cuttable but I wouldnt recommend it because of the spring rate.Ive been cutting springs(aftermarket) for over 5 years now,and have never had any problem with them.All the vehicles that I have cut springs for ride good and handle just as well.Same as my car.When I ordered my springs they were Ksport 2. front and 2.5 rear.When installed instantly the backed sagged down lower than the front.There for I pulled the fronts and cut 2 full coils off.Car rides amazing(for being lowered) and handles excellent.Theres not really a certain way to cut them.Just make sure you go in half coil or full coil increments.nothing more or less.All I used was a pnuematic(sp?)side cutter.Like I said ive been doing this for a long time and have neever had any problems

 

So if you do cut springs, definitely do aftermarket ones.. Any particular brand you'd recommend?

 

Not really but if it were me I would get the cheapest brand since your modifying them.Why spend alot of money on sportlines when your gonna cut em up.Thats why I bought Ksports,they were the cheapest I found and I new I wanted to go lower than what these give.I come from the minitrucking world(as does my brother)and we ride them low here.(his car is the dumped civic in my gallery)
His civic springs are custom made more than mine are as well.

 

Gotya. Well I am trying to get a set of Tenzos from this guy on here.. So if I get them, I'll throw them on and see how it sits.. I can always try to cut them and see what happens if they're not low enough..

 

ya like I said ..If you do cut them,on your car I would go half coil increments,Time consuming but then you wont cut too much off.Mine I did full coil increments since my bumper doesnt sit as low as yours(yet) from factory.The SS bumpers sit lower then LS's

 

i have H&R sport springs (1.5/1.4) you can get the race springs and get 2.0/1.6 but as is right now mine is damn close to tucked and on stock shocks/struts rubs (my tires rolled my fenders for me)

 

Ya im on stock wheels/tires so no rubbing here.I wanna get some 17's and tuck a lil tire though eventually