Front Suspension G-Body
 

I am wanting to drop my L/SA 88' Olds Cutlass a little bit...any ideas or direction I should go? I don't want to spend a ton of money and it still has to be Stock Legal. thanks in advance for any assistance.

Re: Front Suspension G-Body
 

If the current springs are stock you will need to remove and cut half a coil , reinstall , measure and maybe repeat the process . This is the cheapest way without getting into a replacement spring such as Moroso .

Re: Front Suspension G-Body
 

Thanks Brian! Is this a major project or relatively easy? We just switched the springs out of my chevelle and it seemed really difficult. Is there someone in Central Ohio who might be able to do this for me?

Re: Front Suspension G-Body
 

We need to do the same to my sons Monte. How much do you cut on a moroso spring. What are some cheap drag shocks?

Re: Front Suspension G-Body
 

CAUTION... I have cut several pairs of Moroso springs over the years. Good springs for the price and work much better than stock. BUT they always settle a little with some use. Leave them a little longer - read sitting higher, than you want for final. 1/2 - 3/4" inch higher than what you want for final static height.

Know it is a pain in the butt to pull them out and cut a little and put back, but you can not add coils back if you cut too much.

Also, never use a torch to cut. Saw or cutoff wheel. Heat from torch will kill them.

Be careful and good luck.

Ken

Stock 412

Re: Front Suspension G-Body
 

Hate being disagreeable Ken, But I always see this and can't figure this one out.
I can cut a spring with a torch and round the cut, and dip it in water, faster than I could do it in a chop saw, where it turns blue on the and, and then I still have to smooth the cut.
How is this better?
Anyone? Just curious

Re: Front Suspension G-Body
 

No offense taken Mark. You have done more of this than I have, and I have learned a lot from your post over the years.
But, years ago, in engineering classes - "materials properties" or something like that, we actually put heat on and then tested springs and metal, bolts, etc. in a lab setting. Heat will kill the tensile strength and memory in metal if "abused" Heat is the key to changing the properties of metal. Cooling rates are also critical and play heavily into it. Oil bath, vs. oven. vs. water, etc.
If you are good with a torch, use the proper cutting tip and some would say wrap the spring up from the cut line with wet rag, etc. you can get away with it. Most people, me included, don't use a torch enough to stay "good" with it.
The amount of heat, and how far down the coil the heat travels, will change the area that is effected.
A cut off wheel will not put anywhere near the amount of heat into the coil. Less clean up needed also for most. Better for most people. Less change of the spring from "as delivered" material properties.
With all that said, there are some people out there with enough knowledge and experience to know what heat to put where, to modify springs to do what they want... I am far from there! LOL

I am very happy with my latest spring purchase - Santhuff. Good out of the box, did what they told me they would, sat like they told me they would, with no cutting.

Ken

Stock 412
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Re: Front Suspension G-Body
 

Fair enough, Ken.

You touched on what would have been my suggestion when using a torch.
You could tie a wet sock around the spring about an inch up, then pull the ends up around it to
quench the cut.
Also I use a real torch..not a HF imitation torch.
Guess I better not tell anyone how I have lowered a few street cars, without taking the spring out of the A-arm pocket ;-)

Re: Front Suspension G-Body
 

Shocks???????
Keyword Cheap

Re: Front Suspension G-Body
 

Mark - I have seen it done, but have never done it myself... and NO, I dont think most out there need that idea floating around. LOL I can just see too many kids with the HF torch outfit and burned up fart can car... :)

Many years past, before the web and Summit and Jegs where everyone could just order about anything overnight, we had to make stuff. Re-arched springs, cut springs, front suspension parts, etc. Lot of the talent is gone, just due to not having to spend the time and effort to make it. Also the trial and error... and parts are too hard to find to risk having to start over for the older stuff. When I started doing this many years ago, I had a lot more time than money. Had access to tools and junk yard parts, and played. I grew up on a farm, and we had to be able to fix stuff. Then 4x4's and drag racing came along, and Dad told me "you broke it you fix it..."

Now I dont have the time OR money! :)

Ken

Stock 412