I asked this in the 1st gen section, but thought i could get better answers here.


Ive been wondering for a while about this.. Im half way through the build up of my car, everything has been properly done, everything has been rebuilt/replaced with stock or better parts, and ive taken my time on everything. When i got the car it came with some unknown springs that were new and new stock struts already installed. I dont have the money for re-speed parts now, but i have a set of 85 spindles that are going to get coil overs, camber plates, illuminas, and T2 brakes. I was cleaning up my 83 spindles last night to re install until i get the 85 ones done (much later) and it hit me.

Why cant i cut off the stock spring perch and weld it back on an inch and a half lower?

Im not going to lie, it is for looks now... I dont want to see a ton of wheel gap until i get my good suspension parts. I really cant think of a con to this idea. Most people either heat their springs or cut them, making for a bouncy ride. This wouldnt affect anything except height and camber a little bit. I dont think it would make the ride be any different either, except possibly better since the car will be a little lower. Can someone with suspension knowledge chime in on this?

 

You may end up bottoming out your shocks going over bumps if the shaft length is shortened by lowering the perch height. Usually this is remedied by stiffening up the shocks (by valving or other adjustment), but I don't know if this is possible on your stock shocks.

It may be a little unorthodox, but you could install a bump stop to keep the stock shock from bottoming out - it'll be your stopgap till the good parts arrive.

 

Yep. You need a stiffer srping to keep from bottoming out with less suspension travel. Cutting a coil off actually does this, tho maybe not to the degree of aftermarked springs. For my skill set, I can cut (don't heat the springs) but I can't weld. The bouncy ride (vs a stiff ride) probably comes from shocks that can't keep up with the springs.

You may want to try a little cut on the springs for a stop-gap until you get the right stuff.

 

I am un sure of the spring rate. Like i said, these were installed on the car when i got them, but they are new.



The red x over the brake line holder means it is no longer used, i want to drop the perch 1.5"

The only reason it wouldn't work is the tire hitting the spring, ill have to test that out first. Will dropping the car 1.5" this way make it ride/handle like garbage?

 

The problem with cutting on the shock body is the fluid is under pressure. If you do not cut through, when you weld it back on I would wager you will melt a hole in the shock causing the shock oil to spray all over the place. Not safe.

In other words; I do not think it is a good idea.


John

 

welding will most definately ruin the shock oil as well. melting metal = way too damn hot to not boil any oil.

 

That is the whole strut assembly. The strut comes out of the tube. I'd never even think about welding on a strut, sucker could explode! I would obviously take it all apart first. The actual welding won't hurt anything, it's how coil overs are installed. I'm not worried about the cutting and welding, it won't hurt anything. Im worried about steering geometry and handling.

 

i cut a coil. **** it. for the amount of time i need them to work its not worth even the time grinding the old welds off.

 

 

And how did it turn out?

 

not sure yet, car wont be done till march. I just happened to have the subframe out of the car and figured i'd do it now.

 

Wouldn't that inch difference result in a harsher ride and accelerated wear-and-tear on the spring? I know someone who did something similar to his 7th gen Celica (go figure) and his car became excessively bouncy and 'loose' after about 4 months.