Hey, I want to drop the back of my elky about an inch and a half. Just figured I would ask before I start cutting lol
- so first I would need to take out about 3/4 inch off the coil spring right?
-second, my rear coils at the ends are basically flat. What I mean is if your looking at it from the side, in the last 1/2 coil it doesn't add any length to the spring, just coils in and stays the same length with no taper to it.

So would cutting a bit off of that even drop the car? I'm just curious because the non cut portion of the spring is still at the exact same height as what I would be cutting off- so I'm thinking it wouldnt drop the car at all would it?

-and third, if I am right that 3/4 of an inch is what I shoudl take out for a 1 1/2 inch drop, should I cut off 3/8th of an inch on each end, or 3/4 from just one end?

Thanks in advance. I know these may be stupid questions, but I'd rather ask them and not make a stupid mistake :p

First, a couple of basics.

a coil being cut vs' drop experienced is a 2:1 ratio. (all other variables similar) So, if you cut 1/2" off your springs, you would have roughly 1" of drop. This also changes your spring rate. (makes it stiffer overall which would change ride quality)
I am not familiar with Elky springs... are they double pigtail like the Chevelles? If so, I would recommend purchasing a drop spring and not cutting the pigtails because the coils center and seat the spring.

There are three basic spring ends. Pigtail, flat and open. First attachment is a double pigtail, second shows the flat style and third pic is open at the bottom of those springs. I would cut from an Open style spring (like the LCA end of the front 'Velle springs) but not a pigtail or flat wound end.

does the 2:1 ratio apply to the rear springs? i know it applies to the front, due to the leverage from the spring being halfway between the balljoint and control arm pivot, but the rear spring sits right on top of the rear axle.

does the 2:1 ratio apply to the rear springs? i know it applies to the front, due to the leverage from the spring being halfway between the balljoint and control arm pivot, but the rear spring sits right on top of the rear axle.

IME, it does but it's closer to 1.5:1 not quite 2:1 - unloaded. When the rear is loaded, you get more of the drop as 2:1.

Hey, i think that the springs are more like the second picture that you posted. So you don't recommend cutting that style?

I put southwest speed springs in the back of my elco, and Id say it lowered it every bit of 1-5 to to inches.

Anyways, back on topic. You need to keep the pigtail part for the spring to mate with the axle, so you would have to cut off the top portion. The southwest speed springs I got aren't pigtailed on the top, so I don't think that will matter if you cut off the top?

Just take off a little at a time I guess? I dont know how hard the old ones are to get back in. my new springs dont have any pressure on them with the axle at full droop.

If you do mess up I have 2 pair of rear elco springs :thumbsup: go cut them!

Matt

That's why I asked, Matt... the Chevelle springs are double pigtail and there are 'nipples' (if you will) that contact the inner portion of the smallest loop. On the top, it's not as crucial but there is a rubber spring cushion that just fits in the upper coil as a buffer between the spring and the spring cup. I'll take a pic just to illustrate.

Pics... Rear Spring Lower contact.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll18/rogers98_photos/DSCF1885.jpg
Rear Spring Upper contact.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll18/rogers98_photos/DSCF1884.jpg

If you can cut your coil in such a fashion where it is flat like OEM, I guess you can try it... It would be aweful hard though without the proper tools (maybe bandsaw?)

I take it back... the pigtails on both ends (for cars) are equally as critical. :D

??

Not necessarily. Like I said the lowers on mine are pigtailed and the tops are regular, now they are bent to create a level mating surface with the frame

I take it back... the pigtails on both ends (for cars) are equally as critical. :D

??

Not necessarily. Like I said the lowers on mine are pigtailed and the tops are regular, now they are bent to create a level mating surface with the frame


Misunderstanding epiphany in 3, 2, 1...

lol hold on Dan, mine look like yours here

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r189/RacrM3/100_0714.jpg


See it does have the piece for your pig tail upper, If you run them on both sides, but it is also bigger as well to fit a fatter spring.

There are people running the same rear springs as me in the back of a chevelle.

does that make sense?

The southwest speed springs I got aren't pigtailed on the top, so I don't think that will matter if you cut off the top?


right on, k so if i do cut it would be off of the top.

But for the spring itself, at the "pig tailed" on the top of the spring, the pig tail curl is all at the same height, so would cutting only like 3/4" actually do anything to drop the car? because the rest of the spring is still at the exact same overall height as it was before (unloaded) Do you know what i mean... lol

I didn't see any way to shorten the stock double pigtail springs. A pair of Southwest Speed Black Magic springs (http://www.southwestspeed.com/?sec=view_part&id=174) worked great and the price is hard to beat.

thanks, i'll probably just pick up a set like that. It doesnt look like I can cut away from the spring to drop it, without taking out basically the whole pig tail. thanks guys

yeah Steve those are the set I have in the back of mine. 175 lb ones.

Its painfully easy to put those in and out compared to the stockers :)

yeah Steve those are the set I have in the back of mine. 175 lb ones.

Its painfully easy to put those in and out compared to the stockers :)

sweet thats good to know :D well putting the stock ones in and out were real easy too lol, unbolt shock absorbers with car in the air, lift one side of axle, put spring in lol

sweet thats good to know :D well putting the stock ones in and out were real easy too lol, unbolt shock absorbers with car in the air, lift one side of axle, put spring in lol


Oh, Mine stock ones needed some persuasion with a crow bar.:)