i got slapped in my face a couple days ago when i asked someone about cutting the factory springs to lower the car.
I was just wondering, Why is it SOOOOOOOO dangerous to do this, where i come from we dont get lowering springs and people do this all the time. i never heard of anyone having an accident because of the cut springs.
reason i want to do this is because my max is my weekend fun car and i dont want to spend $240 for a lowering kit when i can put those $240 on tokicos or something else.
please be gentle with your response (i know there will be a lot of mad people answering)
I was just wondering, Why is it SOOOOOOOO dangerous to do this, where i come from we dont get lowering springs and people do this all the time. i never heard of anyone having an accident because of the cut springs.
reason i want to do this is because my max is my weekend fun car and i dont want to spend $240 for a lowering kit when i can put those $240 on tokicos or something else.
please be gentle with your response (i know there will be a lot of mad people answering)
Member
It's all about the PHYSICS!!!
There are many variables when it comes to spring behavior. The spring material, the wire diameter, the number of coils, the overall coil diameter and the resting length of spring.
The resting length of a spring affects the frequency/oscillation rate.
So yes your ride might look cool, but will have a harsher (poorly tuned) ride. Of course, the choice is yours...
Try this link, change the "spring resting length" and see what happens.
http://www.myphysicslab.com/spring1.html
Good luck!
There are many variables when it comes to spring behavior. The spring material, the wire diameter, the number of coils, the overall coil diameter and the resting length of spring.
The resting length of a spring affects the frequency/oscillation rate.
So yes your ride might look cool, but will have a harsher (poorly tuned) ride. Of course, the choice is yours...
Try this link, change the "spring resting length" and see what happens.
http://www.myphysicslab.com/spring1.html
Good luck!
my 89 300zx had cut springs in it and it rode horrible. it was already done when i got the car (not by me) and i traded a wrecked mazda b 2200 for it so the car was in bad shape. but my one friend has had like 3 cars with cut springs and i cant ride in it the ride is crazy rough and sometimes overly bouncy
Member
spend the money you will either way way. ive rode in cars with cut springs, and a max just wouldnt be fun anymore.
Senior Member
this is all true but for some reason when i bought my '89 SE 5spd. last year from another local member from here i asked him what he used to lower the car? he said that the owner before him had cut the springs and that he also installed KYB GR2 shocks. the minute he said that the springs were cut i said to myself that i would have to get new ones or used ones to put back at stock height. when i towed it to my house i decided to take it out for a spin to c how it actually felt to be in a 3rd gen with cut springs? well, it turns out that the ride wasn't bumpy so that didn't bother me but when i take corners fast u can feel that the shocks r blown and it feels like the bottom of the car hits the floor really hard. the steering is great nothing too crazy but what just gets to me is the hard bump when i make fast turns but i only did the fast turns just to test the suspension not for power sliding or anything like that. all i have to say its up to u if u want to cut the springs or heat them or whatever but just be ready to fork out more money to fix all the other problems that the car will accumulate after modifying ur stock springs. im glad i didn't do this to my '93. i would just get the springs from ebay and shocks as well. the car ain't goin' anywhere just wait and get ur lowering springs and shocks. once u got that then ur set and be proud that u didn't do what ur buddies do to theirs. once ur buddies sit in ur car they will want to get a 3rd gen with lowered suspension not cut springs.
if u do cut them and want a factory set to replace them i have one laying around but yea ebay is a great place to get parts for cheap its just the return factor
Senior Member
Quote:
Exactly. THe car isn't going to turn to dust if you don't get it lowered immediatley. I set of springs is relatively cheap, might as well save up for a month or two more and do it properlyOriginally Posted by GRNMAXDMON
the car ain't goin' anywhere just wait and get ur lowering springs and shocks.
Newbie - Just Registered
on the cutting springs deal my car already rides crappy i think the struts are shot does anybody know what one coil cut off would be like and i already have a spair set of springs so if its sucks worse than i wil switch them back i know cutting is bad but i only paid 200 for my 92 i will post pics later it wont let me make a new thread for some reason
It won't let you make a new thread because you're a n00b.
But at least you used the search............ to find and dig up a 2.5year old thread.
But at least you used the search............ to find and dig up a 2.5year old thread.

Quote:
Cut the middle coilOriginally Posted by thrillseeker
on the cutting springs deal my car already rides crappy i think the struts are shot does anybody know what one coil cut off would be like and i already have a spair set of springs so if its sucks worse than i wil switch them back i know cutting is bad but i only paid 200 for my 92 i will post pics later it wont let me make a new thread for some reason
Quote:
But at least you used the search............ to find and dig up a 2.5year old thread.
it's nice to see that Rick's grammar and professionalism have come a long way from how he talked in 2006 Originally Posted by Matt93SE
It won't let you make a new thread because you're a n00b.But at least you used the search............ to find and dig up a 2.5year old thread.

o and threadbumper dude.... if your shocks are already blown, your car is dangerous to drive. cutting the springs on already-blown shocks will turn your car into a basketball. is less wheel gap worth that?
but uh... if you must cut them, do as internetautomar said

Quote:
I can't say that thought didn't cross my mind too lol.Originally Posted by CapedCadaver
it's nice to see that Rick's grammar and professionalism have come a long way from how he talked in 2006
This thread is useless with springs. I say screw the springs altogether.
Senior Member
Quote:
ekjakley, there's Your Answer!!!.Originally Posted by KeithD
Exactly. THe car isn't going to turn to dust if you don't get it lowered immediatley. I set of springs is relatively cheap, might as well save up for a month or two more and do it properly
Senior Member
Quote:

o and threadbumper dude.... if your shocks are already blown, your car is dangerous to drive. cutting the springs on already-blown shocks will turn your car into a basketball. is less wheel gap worth that?
but uh... if you must cut them, do as internetautomar said
eh, i guess. if you say so. Originally Posted by CapedCadaver
it's nice to see that Rick's grammar and professionalism have come a long way from how he talked in 2006 
o and threadbumper dude.... if your shocks are already blown, your car is dangerous to drive. cutting the springs on already-blown shocks will turn your car into a basketball. is less wheel gap worth that?
but uh... if you must cut them, do as internetautomar said


