I have a limited coupe and have been pouring over pages of info about a swap to cut SRT springs that severl members have done. looking to hear from some of the ones who have and for some opinions on how much to cut. I do not want to go low enough that I need new arms in the rear, because I drive it year round and 2" is too much for me. I am going to track the car this year and just want a better spring rate a little lower stance. I would like to go about 1"-1.5" all around and just am wondering how much to cut. Should I cut the same length out of front and rear, or the same amount of coils, because they are quite different.

I am putting these in on Sunday, any info anyone can offer is appreciated. MikeR, Jon, Steve, impart some knowledge on a suspension noob

John
Edit: is there anything I should look out for, or be aware of? A certain way to cut the springs? I have the spring compressors so I am good there (thanks Mike) but just wanting to know if there are any tips for me....

 

(I'm sure some more knowledgeable people will chime in)

 

I bought Eibachs and loved them for the street but they hurt me at the track. So, I cut my stock SRT springs (carefully and with lubricant to keep them cool) and I like them much better than the Eibachs. I cut 1 coil off the rear and it was too much. I'd say you'd be safe with 3/4 coil. I cut 3/4 coil off the front and with a dot 5 pad it's perfect. So cut a little less than I did and use your stock pad.

Les

 

Boilerup, I only cut half a coil when I put SRT springs in the rear of my N/A. I now need Adjustable rear camber arms in the rear. I have to much camber. In my case the problem is magnified due to the 10mm spacers I am running on the rears to clear the inner fender panel due to the 20x10s and some very wide tires. I took one coil off the front. The only good pic I have of my car on the forum that shows my cars stance was posted by Gary on the Spring Dragon thread page 21

 

You could search for BrianBraves post when he cut his springs....I think he did about 3/4 in back and 1/2 in front...
I think John is about right.. 1/2 coil, or less, in front and back...
Remember it is easier to cut them shorter if you are too high, but a real PITA to make them longer if you are too low......

You may need the adjustable camber arms in back, even for a small cut.... we already have a fair negative camber before any lowering...

 

Boilerup, Mike brought up a good point, I first cut half a coil on the front. When we set it down the front was to high. Cut another half off the front, everything perfect. One reason I went down a whole coil in the front is becouse I have 20's on the front and rubberbands for tires. (wish I had gone with 19's on front. to late now). Front sat to high with stock springs. I sit level now, had I not gone with 20's on the front I would have been Ok with a half or 2/3 coil in front instead of a whole coil. Good luck please post pics when finished.

 

John, when I was looking to do this awhile back...I had decided to start with a half coil. It seemed to be the safest after following everyone else's responses. After driving hard, and mounting slicks and such, I decided to leave them stock...

 

Thanks everyone, I am thinking a half coilf from the front and rear is probably the way to go, then balance it out with pads down the road. If I end up needing the arms, so be it, but if that is the case, I am going to cut a whole coil later when I add them I am going with 19" AMG wheels all the way around but maintaining the factory height, going much wider.

So it is a half coil from the front abd back, it has nothing to do with the linear length of the coils and matching that measurement then?

Also, I basically have a metal shop at my disposal, not sure exactly what is there tool wise, but I would think he has most everything, what is the best method for cutting these bad boys? Les mentioned lube and a slower cut, what type of lubrication do I use? I have never cut springs before (I am sure you could tell LOL) and only want to have to do this once....

THANKS

 

So would you say about 1/2 coil in the real and 1/3 of the coil in the front or no?

 

just use a cutoff wheel and compressed air. i just did goodgenes car last week. he wanted 3/4 cut off all 4 coils. took all of 30 mins to cut the coils. never got hot enough to worry about the tensile strength.

remember when reinstalling the coils to seat the lower at the stop and the upper coil at the edge of the pad. on jasons car he had # 2 pads up front and #3 pads in the rear. reused all the pads. the compressor will be readjusted as the coil is now shorter and cant be compressed as much as when it was uncut

 

John, you'll be stoked with the SRT springs.

As Les pointed out, the Eibachs look great but the spring rate is simply too low to match the SRT springs in the corners. The proof is in the pudding. Or, the lap times.

The proof is also in the confidence. I can push it so much harder in the corners now with the setup. Shocks are on my short list, as the OEM ones are about toast. I'll be going with the Bilstein Sports, as the Konis are great but I never track my car, so no need to adjust back and forth.

As Mike said, grab some camber bars. Even the slightest drop will yield some additional camber.

 

John, JHM2K is right on the money when he says you will be impressed with the change. I cannot compare mine to an N/A with lowering springs. but I can tell you I am very happy with the results of the SRT springs.

John, are you going to be changing shocks at some point?

 

Yes, but I want to see how it drives without them for this year, next year I will replace them when the car budget is replenished, but I only just turned 40K

 

So your saying that the srt spring would be better on my n/a. I was simply thinking about cutting the springs. All I do is drag race well cutting the spring effect the times. I wouldn't think so. Cause as I'm reading I'm. Understanding to cut 3/4s of a coil in the rear?? And a half of the coils in the front?? Or less or more?? Just looking to tuck the 19s an 18s a lot better but don't wanna rub. Please some more clearification. Thanks

 

The springs are on, and they are not cut - yet.

I am going to see how it settles and try to adjust it with the spring pads, since it has dot5 pads in the front, I think I can get about 15mm drop just by putting in the dot1 pads. I think I will probably cut them next year when I can get shocks and the rear adjustable arms, but for now, I am enjoying the increase in spring rate and the great handling of the car, LOTS less body roll

 

So wait what did you do? What pads. And where do you get them and how much. Can you get a before an afer pic. Can you notice the drop? How much. Thnks

 

Very good John, If you do end up dropping the front springs, be prepared to go with a camber bolt kit in the front as wel. Keep posting updates and enjoy the ride.l

 

Hey can you explain this to me a lil more. With like the pads instead of cutting? Like how much drop dose the pad thing do in the front an rear. I'm just looking to get closer to the 19s andd 18s with the car. Should I rather then cut or do the pad thing?

 

I have never changed the spring pads so I don't know how much of a change in Height they will make. I do know that anytime you make changes to the front suspension a front end aliegment is recomended. I had multiple changes going on with mine which required a camber bolt kit. It is always better to be prepared and have the bolt kit ready to go. than to need it and not have it.

 

Well if someone can help me on the pad thing and pics or info on the difference inn height. And where do you find this camber bolt kit? Is it self made? Like home depot? And how much they go for. Thanks