I bought a set of big block coil springs at O'reilly Auto Parts for my '70. They are stock height and spring rate. I would like to lower the front end approx 1" below stock for both lower COG and a slightly raked stance. Can I cut some of the coil off ? And if so, how should I determine how much to cut ?

Thanks for any info.

I've always been told that you need to cut 1 complete coil for spring to sit right inside the spring pocket. On a 67-72 chevy truck 1 complete coil is equal to 1 1/2 to 2". good luck.

Yes, usually cutting a full turn works out best.

You can cut as much or as little on the fronts. The top of the spring is flattened out (unlike the bottom) so it doesn't matter what postition the top is in. Just make sure you get the bottom end of the spring in the pocket on the a-arm. I literally just came if from the garage after installing my front springs and here is what I did. I cut a quarter coil out to see what would happen and I will need to let it settle but it sure doesn't look like it dropped enough yet.

Here is what I may do if it doesn't hit what I am looking for. Looking at the book at O'reilleys, my springs (HD moog 5536) have a free height of 15.13 inches and an installed height of 11 inches. I therefore assumed that for roughly each inch I wanted to drop, I would need to cut 1.375 inches out of the free height. (15.13/11=1.375)

I will try that next if I don't get what I want.

John

hello, if you do decide to cut any length use a cutoff wheel, or hand held small grinder. DO NOT USE A CUTTING TORCH.

Just so you know, when you cut coils out of a spring, the spring rate increases. Big block springs don't work with a small block, there is too much weight difference. You don't want more than 500 psi for a street car, it will be too stiff. #5536 are big block springs with 488 psi, you remove a coil from them and use a small block, you are asking for trouble. Even without a coil removed the #5536 springs will make a small block sit too high in the front end. You can make your own performance springs for a small block with all the springs avalable from Moog.

Springs go by wire diameter and height. The 5536 and 5450 springs use a .690 wire diameter. The 5450 spring is 15.616 inches high. Each coil is about 1.5 inches if removed from the bottom of the spring.