I just got a set of ZR1's for my car and there is too much room in the wheelwell for my liking. I'd rather not replace the springs. However, I was told that cutting the stock springs 1/2 coil would lower the car. I don't want anymore than a 1" drop if that. The car does sit pretty high even with the stock 170K springs. How much will it lower the car and will it affect the handling? Herb Adams suspension specialist says its OK, but couldn't tell me how much of a drop it would create. Any help?

 

1/2 a coil is pretty common, 1 coil isa lot. might be lot more work but you could start with 1/4 then go another 1/4.

 

We did 1 full coil on my friend's springs... it dropped probably 1.5 inches maybe closer to 2 inches. 1/2 coil probably would have been perfect as it sits a little low now. But we did the lazy thing... With 1/2 coil, it was still a pain to get the front springs back in. So he said screw it, he's got a whole coilover setup to go in there eventually so no big deal if it sits low, we cut off another 1/2 to make the springs go in easier :e.

At any rate, we used a dremel. FIBERGLASS cutoff wheels are the way to go, he had the stone ones and went through 3 or 4 before trying a fiberglass one, which did the rest of the cutting. A cutoff wheel of course would be even better than a dremel, but don't use a torch - it'll detemper the springs.

 

Cutting the stock springs wil give you a harder ride. i say cut half first. I kept my stock springs and may cut 1 coil off to see what it looks like with my chrome ZR1's. if its too low i can put my pro kit ones back in.i used a saber saw to cut a set of springs on my last z, took about 30 seconds per spring.

 

Sawzall with a carbide blade, about 10 secs. We've also heated springs to lower and attempt to keep the same stiffness.

 

I bought aftermarket springs and still had to cut them to get the height I wanted (Eibach).
I always start with a 1/2 coil and then put it back together to check it out, then 1/4 coil at a time until it's where I want it.
It's a pain putting it all back together, but it's the only way you can tell exactly where it's going to sit.
My Eibach (Pro-Kit) Springs are cut 3/4 of a coil.

Oh, yeah....I always use a die grinder with a fibre cutting wheel.
-Rich-