Talk me out of it...

[sonic007]

I need someone to talk me out of my next adventure....

I bought the kspeed springs because of the drop they give. Install went perfect..No issues. Its been about a month now and the front of the car is about 3/4" to an inch higher than the back depending on where im sitting.. Normally I wouldn't care but I've had people point it out to me. Its not THAT noticeable.

Problem is I see it and I know it should be even so I want to fix it. I'm thinking of cutting maybe half a coil off. I know its not good to do that but its irking me that the car isn't even..

Id like to buy just the front coil overs but I cant find them anywhere probably because they don't sell just the fronts.

 

[GeneralZod]

Cuts are forever. Call/email the manufacturer first.

 

[sonic007]

They said its normal..I dont think they speak much english. I guess thats what I get for not buying American...

 

[GeneralZod]

Take some pics with measurements and try again. I am sure the front shouldn't be higher according to their specs.

If that doesn't work AutoAnything was having a sale. Not sure if it is still on, but the Eibachs were like 220.

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

The coil style used on the Sonic is not a good candidate for cut springs.

 

[sonic007]

Yea it only has to drop another like 1/2 inch to make me happy. Id rather not switch springs. I ll have to just save up for coil overs. I really wish they sold them individually.

 

[Preloader]

I'm considering a similar project. I still have room to adjust the front lower with the coilovers, but the back is maxed out. I'm considering buying a 2nd set of rear coils and experimenting.

 

[sonic007]

Update: I spoke eith the company and the are custom making me new front springs that have the full 2 inch drop. I told them 2.10 max.

 

[Wong]

I have the same thoughts on my eibachs...the front is a little lower than the rear...I have been contemplating cutting coils but like Tmo said...the way our coils are dont give use the option to cut - too much at least. the top and bottom of the rear coil are smaller than the rest of the spring so they can fit in the coil cups. I was thinking if I cut half of the top and half of the bottom i could get that 1/2" it needs to look better. With that being said, cutting half of each would still allow the coil to sit in the cup without falling out....maybe?

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

If you really want to test and see if cutting coils would work I suggest doing it on your stock (OEM) springs first. The style of coils used are called "Pig tails" and you shouldn't cut them for several reasons. First off fitment will be an issue because they won't want to fit in the cups, secondly the spring rates are progressive in nature due to the way the coils change in size. Be very careful with the cuts, A half inch cut does not result in a half inch drop, take off a small portion of the coil at a time between fittings to see if you got the desired ride height.

 

[Wong]

I am not referring to a half inch cut = a half inch drop. I am only saying cut half a coil on top and bottom so the coil will still fit in the cup.

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

That was more of a general statement to the masses (jic someone tries this in the future). I've been wanting to take out a coil on each corner for a while now but I don't think it will be safe with our style springs.

The best method to shorten a pig tail spring is to compress them to the desired drop and heat them to red hot then allow them to cool and test fitment and ride height. This still isn't very safe as it will release stress built into springs and reduce the life of them.

 

[Wong]

Gotcha.

I think heat the wrong way to go...once a spring is heated the rating is gone. Whereas, if you cut the spring rating is still there just less of a spring.

Anyways, my birthday is next month and I have been a good boy, so I am going to buy myself coilovers and will have the eibachs for sale for anyone who wants to try this.

 

[Swordsmith]

Yeah heat and air cool, for most steels, means you just eliminated the springiness. Even "air quench" steels aren't really hardened by just sitting around in open air, you have to use high speed fans. And even if you do achieve hardness, there's a second step, you need to reheat to a much lower temperature, soak, then cool slowly, in order to "temper" which is the step which makes steel not break. Quenched only it's as brittle as glass.

Red hot isn't even hot enough to achieve full hardness, what you're doing there is softening the metal, so you're riding around on the equivalent of mild carbon steel "springs" which are really just spring shaped objects at that point.

It's hard to say what steel they are using, if it's 4130 then you heat to bright orange (around 1480F), quench by dropping into oil (or preferably a molten salt bath but that's really expensive and very toxic and I'm not touching it in my little home shop), then reheat to 450F (your oven will do nicely) and hold for 30 minutes, cool overnight. 5160 is similar but even more finicky. The key though is finding out which steel you're working with and then finding the heat levels and transform speeds for that particular steel.

 

[ydotcalm]

Update: I spoke eith the company and the are custom making me new front springs that have the full 2 inch drop. I told them 2.10 max.

Did u ever get these?? And did it give the 2inch drop??

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[sonic007]

Did u ever get these?? And did it give the 2inch drop??

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Holy old post batman. Yeaa the new set went in and looked perfect. No issues since.

 

[ydotcalm]

Holy old post batman. Yeaa the new set went in and looked perfect. No issues since.

Lol gotta do my research man.. I just put my kspeeds in yesterday only bn 24hrs and about 40 miles but my rear is at about 1.5" drop and the front at .5 to 3/4" drop so I'm just curious if I'll need to call and do the same thing

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[ydotcalm]

I kno they gotta settle but that much idk

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[MidnightClub3]

I would call them ydot. The fronts struts are holding the weight of the engine so they should be way lower. I'd drive on them for 100-150 miles. They won't settle much after that.

 

[ydotcalm]

Holy old post batman. Yeaa the new set went in and looked perfect. No issues since.

Sent u a pm

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