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Where to cut rear springs?

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Old Feb 13, 2008 | 08:32 PM
  #1  
scholtmj's Avatar
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
Car: 88 Trans Am Hardtop
Engine: 350 L98
Transmission: Stock 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Aussie 9
Where to cut rear springs?

Well I searched through the suspension forum and found lots of threads about how to cut rear springs and how much drop you'll get, but I didn't find an answer to this question:
I have two sets of rear springs, both having the progressive wind on opposite ends. So which set do I cut? The set with the progressive wind at the top or the set with it at the bottom? (top being car, bottom being axle)
I've read Strano Performance only sells linear springs because it helps in tuning the shocks. I have Spohn's coil over, single adjustable QA1 rear shocks.

Thanks guys.
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Old Feb 13, 2008 | 10:16 PM
  #2  
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From: Orland Park, IL
Car: 1984 Z28
Engine: SLOW carbed ls
Transmission: TH400 with brake, 8" PTC converter
Axle/Gears: moser 9" 4.11
Re: Where to cut rear springs?

you don't cut the pig tail end ever because it wouldn't fit on the rear end mount then. You'd cut the big end, I knocked off 1/2 coil and removed the rubber isolator on the spring top and just used 5/8" heater hose around the entire top coil and was able to get a 2" drop or so out of it for 15 minutes of my time.
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 05:04 AM
  #3  
scholtmj's Avatar
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
Car: 88 Trans Am Hardtop
Engine: 350 L98
Transmission: Stock 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Aussie 9
Re: Where to cut rear springs?

Sorry I must not have been clear enough. I'm going to cut the top of the springs where they meet the car, but one set of springs has the progressive wind meeting the car and the other set has the progressive wind meeting the axle. I'm sure there is a difference in cutting a 1/2 coil of progressive wind rather than a 1/2 coil from the linear section. I'll try to get a pictures up.
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 02:33 AM
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From: So. Cal, L.A.
Car: '88 Firebird Formula 350
Engine: Built 383 TPI
Transmission: Built 700r4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt, 3.27:1 Posi
Re: Where to cut rear springs?

You shouldn't cut either set. Never cut progressive rate springs. You lose the progressiveness.

Think about it. When you cut a coil, it makes it stiffer. You increase the spring rate. If you cut the loose part, you stiffen the stiff part more. If you cut the tight part, you stiffen the loose part.

In short you'll have an unballanced rate of progression.

Find some stock springs in the bone yard to experiment with. Then if you want it stiffer in the back, get a good quality lowered spring.
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 09:16 AM
  #5  
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
Car: 88 Trans Am Hardtop
Engine: 350 L98
Transmission: Stock 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Aussie 9
Re: Where to cut rear springs?

Exactly, I want to lose the progressiveness from the spring. This is what Strano Performance advertises for his springs;
"Linear rate front, linear working rate rear because actively progressive rate springs are not able to be damped properly due to the variation in rate. You will not find progressive rate springs on serious performance cars, and never on race cars."

It makes sense to me to cut the progressive coils out first. Does anyone agree?
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 11:09 PM
  #6  
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: So. Cal, L.A.
Car: '88 Firebird Formula 350
Engine: Built 383 TPI
Transmission: Built 700r4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt, 3.27:1 Posi
Re: Where to cut rear springs?

In that case, cut the springs with the tighter coiled ends on the top. That will give you a more equal constant rate spring.
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Old Feb 22, 2008 | 01:53 AM
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From: Orland Park, IL
Car: 1984 Z28
Engine: SLOW carbed ls
Transmission: TH400 with brake, 8" PTC converter
Axle/Gears: moser 9" 4.11
Re: Where to cut rear springs?

you have no choice, you can not cut the bottom of the spring, the only place you "can" cut is from the top. that is it.
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