Cutting the springs this weekend

Yeah, I know it's a bad idea. But my competitor has been waiting for a good opponent. He has a 240Z with the suspension all done. I figure that cutting springs and getting KYB GR-2s will have to do until Bart finishes his suspension setup. I did think about lowering springs, but I really need coil-overs for AutoX and there's no point in wasting my money if I'm getting Bart's setup anyway. I don't want to cut very much, since my handling will quickly get much worse if I start bottoming out. I'm thinking of taking off 1 coil in the front and .5 coil in the rear (since the rear springs have already sagged; gap is more in the front). What do you guys think? I feel that I'm being pretty conservative there but I'm not completely sure.

EDIT: If you vote in the poll, remember that I'm doing this strictly for handling. I want to increase that very low stock spring rate -- this is not for the looks at all. Make sure your vote reflects that. Thanks!
_________________
Riyan

1993 Dodge Stealth Twin Turbo AWD >400hp weekend car
1985 200SX w/CA20E & I.R.S. >Daily Driver/Autocrosser =)

NORCAL DRIFT EVENT!
http://www.club-s12.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=56314

well if you plan on auto crossing it will cut springs you may damge the towers from the suspension bottoming out... i would just leave it the way it is and maybe just get some nice rubber to make up for the 240z's suspension
_________________
bart
'86 INTERCOOLED Turbo
1/4 mile: 14.964 @93.02mph
CEO of:
"Barts Parts Incorporated"
http://geocities.com/bartc_j
http://members.cardomain.com/bartc_2

Both of those thoughts have definitely crossed my mind. I was hoping that if I was very conservative (1 coil front/.5 in rear) then it wouldn't bottom out. But if I'm wrong then I will be truly SOL with damaged towers and I won't be able to autocross until I get your stuff. So I think you just changed my mind Bart. But I'll still wait and see what the others have to say.

About race rubber... it's $450...eek. I'd rather lose to my competitor for now and save up for the coilovers which will last me much longer than a set of race tires. Also, the race tires will wear better with a coilover setup.
_________________
Riyan

1993 Dodge Stealth Twin Turbo AWD >400hp weekend car
1985 200SX w/CA20E & I.R.S. >Daily Driver/Autocrosser =)

NORCAL DRIFT EVENT!
http://www.club-s12.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=56314

bfgoodrich traction t/a kd are some nice tires. im planing on useing 255/40/R17 in the back with 17X9 rims and 225/45/R17 in the front with 17X7 rims the tires run 211 for the 255's and 176 for the 225's but a buddy is getting me a better cost and should drop at least 40-60buscks a tire but i'll see..
_________________
bart
'86 INTERCOOLED Turbo
1/4 mile: 14.964 @93.02mph
CEO of:
"Barts Parts Incorporated"
http://geocities.com/bartc_j
http://members.cardomain.com/bartc_2

If you take a closer look at your springs you'll see what I mean. Your stock front springs have only four free coils, so if you cut even one coil you're looking at a 2" drop. Your spring rating will go up but your spring load will be down. Your front suspension will probably bottom-out before you make it to your auto-x function. Your stock rear springs are 5" dia main and 3" dia on the dead coils. The dead coils are the end coils that are attached to the frame and the lower arm; so if you cut the rear then you'll have to farbricate new seats because the cut end of the spring will be too big and will be moving around.

You might try putting springs from the Turbos. The ca18et springs are lower and stiffer then the ca20s.
_________________
86 CA18ET....owner since 1990.
The name is Bossman, but you can call me Mr. Panda.

ya good point didnt even think about that even though i have looked at those springs a million times.. ya you may get away with cutting the top part of the rear spring and stil have it seated ok but its just not worth it
_________________
bart
'86 INTERCOOLED Turbo
1/4 mile: 14.964 @93.02mph
CEO of:
"Barts Parts Incorporated"
http://geocities.com/bartc_j
http://members.cardomain.com/bartc_2

i have some v6 springs laying in my garage you can try if you like
_________________
Mark J C
1987 s12 vg30e
ka24 TB, Koni yellows all around
tokico springs, and Z31 vlsd

i definitely want those springs =) r u lookin' to donate them to me or sell them? I'll be doin' the suspension swap this weekend, so get back to me as soon as u can...
_________________
Riyan

1993 Dodge Stealth Twin Turbo AWD >400hp weekend car
1985 200SX w/CA20E & I.R.S. >Daily Driver/Autocrosser =)

NORCAL DRIFT EVENT!
http://www.club-s12.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=56314

I would recommend against cutting your springs for handling purposes. My uncle tried cutting the springs on his Spitfire that he autocrossed and it would bump it nose every time he would hit the brakes. My friend also tried cutting the springs on his 80ish Prelude and had bad results as well. If you want to run with the 240Z you would probably be better off just ordering rear Z31 springs and front 280Z springs. There are threads on here about which ones to order and from where. Also www.classicgarage.com still has rear koni sports. I use the konis in rear with Tokico HPs in front on the Tokico springs and my car is plenty stiff. Also, I don't know if this has ever been covered before but I noticed that front struts for an 83 280ZX have the same part number as front struts for the 200SX. I've got some Konis for the 280ZX in the mail and I'll let you know if they fit (they can also be found on classicgarage). Also, in case you've never heard it before, improving the driver (and tires) will make a bigger difference then any other suspension mod.

As it turns out, I ended up not cutting the springs. Another remember had a set of stock springs for the V6 model of the car, and I used these along with KYB GR2 all the way around. It's a cheap, temporary solution while I wait for Bart to finish producing his coilovers.
_________________
Riyan

1993 Dodge Stealth Twin Turbo AWD >400hp weekend car
1985 200SX w/CA20E & I.R.S. >Daily Driver/Autocrosser =)

NORCAL DRIFT EVENT!
http://www.club-s12.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=56314