Cascade Crew

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

So I have searched TGO, but every pots on the subject tends to end up in a pissing match. So what I have, 15 inch rims with 235/60 s. That puts tire hieght around 25 1/4 inch. Fender hieghts is closer to 28. I will probably stay with this combo for a while. So how much can I drop without messinf it up too bad, and how much does that mean I can cut out??

Al Hasse · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:33 pm Post subject:

Not all springs are created equal. I have 1/2 coil cut from the WS6 springs I have and like where I'm at for now. If you're going to cut them, cut about 1/4 coil at a time. After install, let them settle before deciding to cut any more.

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:35 pm Post subject:

Depends on what springs you start with. If you have Z28 springs and a V8 I'd start with half a coil and see how you like it.

*Edit:
Doh!

I was ninja'd by Al.

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

Yeah, they are I assune 26 year old z28 springs. I was readin a thread by Alphius and I thought I read he cut a coil and a half out??

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:45 pm Post subject:

That's because Gabe is a crazy person. Razz

Alphius · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:47 pm Post subject:

Yep, I'm 1.75 coils down in the front (IIRC). 350 with stock Z28 springs. Very Happy

Looks great, but I need a couple supporting mods still to keep from rubbing on bumps and hard turns.

This was with stock height rears and -.75 coils in the front. I was missing some weight from the A/C system etc. at the time, so the .75 leveled it out pretty good.

This is now, but it has settled a bunch more since this picture. The tires are about 1/2 inch tucked inside the fender at normal ride height now.

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

How bouncy is with 1.5 cut out. Are you satisfied. Would you do that much again. ? I would like to just cut once. Seems like a pain in the ass to do it more then once, especialy since I will be putting my gut in jepordy everytime. ( no spring tool)

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:56 pm Post subject:

You don't need a spring tool. Hell, you can't use most spring tools in thirdgens.

Use a loose chain around the spring and lower the a-arm with a jack. Do not leave the spring loose, it can kill you.

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

Yeah, that's what I read on TGO, but then it just went to another pissin match ( happens a lot) so I quit reading

Alphius · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:05 pm Post subject:

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:09 pm Post subject:

Dude, the hell with TGO. Those guys are all idiots.

Here's how you do it (take it from a guy who has done many of them)

Get the front up high, get jackstands under the subframe.
Pull the front wheels.
Pull the sway bar.
Unbolt the brake lines from their various brackets (do not crack the lines)
Get a floor jack under one of the a-arms.
Take a chain and loop it through the spring a few coils up from the bottom, then bring it down through the center of the a-arm and around the outside.
Make sure the chain is very loose, then throw a big padlock or bolt in it.
Blast the two big strut bolts off with an impact.
Lower the jack.
Get a big pipe or crowbar and pop the bottom of the spring out of the a-arm.
Cut it off straight with a grinder.
Find the insulator and tape it back on with electrical tape.
Get the top of the spring up in the pocket, then rotate it so the end of the coil is between the two small drain holes in the a-arm pocket.
Put the chain back on like you had it before.
Jack the a-arm back up SLOWLY making sure the spring is going in correctly.
Bolt the strut back together.
Remove the chain and jack.
Do the other side.
Reinstall the sway bar, brake lines, ect.

I may have forgot a few steps in there, but that's the gist of it. Here's a couple pics I took when we did John's car:

If you need a hand bring the car down here on a weekend and I can do it for you easily.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:19 pm Post subject:

I cut 3/4 coil off the front of my IROC springs.. Aaron has them now.

It was as low as you can comfortably go without scrapping everything.

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

That would be good for me. But what I would like also, is someone to kinof go through with me and help me kindof fix or tell me how to fix all the little crap. I am decent at fixing something if I know what the problem is and have instructions of how to do it. What I can offer in return, if needed, is my bad ass building skills. ( I have built several houses in my lifetime) I appreciate help, and always am willing to help in return

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

Yeah, ill probly go 3/4 of a coil. MAYBE a full one.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:27 pm Post subject:

Start with 1/2 or 3/4. Don't go a full coil. And let it ride for a week before deciding to cut more.

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:30 pm Post subject:

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

Good advice fellas, and no pissing match about how I am to cheap, and its ghetto, and it is what gives third gen a bad name and all that jazz

iansane · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:13 pm Post subject:

turbo_jimi · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:52 pm Post subject:

John (RSFreak) and I cut, I believe, 3/4 of spring on the rear stock Z28 springs that went on his berli. and we eliminated the bump stops and put heater hose on the ends.

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:06 pm Post subject:

You are too cheap, its totally ghetto, and gives third gens a bad name...

That being said, so am I because I plan on chopping my springs as soon as I get the lt1 running!

Dude don't listen to the guys on tgo, they are a bunch of stuck up douches

-jake