I will be cutting my Front Moog 5662 springs tomorrow. I want about a 1-2" drop. As of now I am just going to cut half a coil, then reinstall over and over untill I get my desired ride height.


EDIT: I cut the springs with an angle grinder and cut off disc. I cut .75 of a coil and resulted in about a 1.5" drop. I would recommend not to cut more than .75 of a coil off at a time as you might cut too much. Also remember to get an alignment after the drop.

I noticed a small improvement in handling. Nothing major. My ride quality wasn't effected at all.


Before, 28" Fender Height


After, 26 5/8" (photo is flipped to show same orientation as above photo.)



I know I looked for a while and couldn't find much info on the topic. So now this thread will be pulled up in searches.
Any one else who have cut their moog springs with results, feel free to post.

 

Interestingly enough, the 5662's dropped my IROC a bit without cutting. Might be wise to throw them in first and see what you think.

JamesC

 

JamesC I have been running the springs for a couple of months at stock height. When I originally installed the springs it lowered my car about a 1/4" as well.

I went ahead and cut .75 of a coil and got about a 1.75" drop. The front looks great now. Next is the rear.

 

Did you changed your bumpstops?

I cut a half coil off mine and it put the bumpstop very close, I got some trim to fit traction bar snubbers to replace the stockers.

 

The bump stops on 16" wheels are taller than those for 15" inches.

JamesC

 

So are you suggesting people swtich to the bumpstops for 15" wheels?
Are they reproduced?

 

I did.

Yes. More info in the following link:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...s-created.html

JamesC

 

The bump stops were not an issue for me. I just drove the car on about a 150 mile round trip on the interstate, and it drove great. It didn't bottom out once, even over bridges and dips

 

I wouldnt suggest cutting more than a HALF coil TOTAL off EVER on these springs. The spring rates cannot be balanced front to rear when you cut that much off the front springs. The spring rates become insanely high putting a much higher load on your struts and shocks. Hope you have some Koni's.

If you need more than a 1 inch drop, you get drop springs or weight jacks. In my opinion, it's not safe to ride around with unbalanced front-rear spring rates. It will cause oversteer and the rears will hit their grip limit in cornering long before the fronts, assuming the sway bars are set up for a factory-balanced setup.

 

I see what you mean. I'm not too worried though, as I have read some others cut .5-1 coil off moog springs with good long term results. Plus I am not going to run my car hard for a while. I had plans to get weight jacks next year at the start of autoX season.

I don't think the spring rate is nearly high enough to cause unsafe street scenarios. I can't really tell much of a difference in spring rate since I have cut them. The car rides very smooth. I did "test" the handling by taking some nice corners at different rates of speed, the rear end seems pretty planted. Actually it seemed a little more planted with the lower CG.

 

I cut 1/3 of a coil off my front IROC springs and I could tell a huge difference in spring rate. The rears are progressive rate so their rate increases MUCH faster than the fronts. You can probably counteract this by going to a smaller rear sway bar, or removing it. Most of the autocross and road race guys go for the smallest rear sway bars they can, and many dont run a rear sway bar at all.

Your "tests" amount to "It feels better therefore it is better." Until you find the grip limit you dont know how it's going to act when you get there. That's always the concern. "feeling planted" and having predictable, managable handling behavior at and beyond the limit of grip are completely different things.

 

Good info there.

That's why I put test as "test". I know it did not give me real accurate results. But I am fine with that, as my car never sees beyond the grip limit. Especialy since it is a 305/A4. I can only see me loosing traction that leads to oversteer in emergency street situations.

Now next year, when I get my GC Jacks along with Konis or KYB AGX struts/shocks I will then dial in suspension to the ride height, ride quality, and performance I desire. Untill then it's easy driving from point A to B.

 

It's not like it will be any worse than the guys who run fatties and skinnies with bias ply tires. Imbalances arent the worst thing in the world. Best thing to do is save for some weight jacks, I think. In the mean time it will look pretty cool, and since the spring rates on these cars vary depending on a lot of factors, it may not even be that far from "correct".

 

 

Bump stop height for 16" wheels is 2 1/4". Factory design.

"Jouncy"? Try poly. Ask me how I know, lol.

JamesC