Chopped Springs -- YAY or NAY ?

[Sp33dY]

Ive ALWAYS been told chopping springs are a BIG no no --- not only is it illegal, it's also dangerous. However, i now have the 121 as my daily driver --- its not worth much, cops dont look twice at it, and i know where a wrecked 121 is with suspension still in it. The plan? Remove the suspension from the wrecked 121, chop the springs, fit it .. and see how it rides. if its too harsh and bumpy, I'll put the stock suspension in.

Anyone riding on chopping springs + stock shockers? how many coils did u cut off, and how rough is the ride? Thanks!

[SimonTuffGuy]

Hmmm... I've heard bad things about it. If you get the springs off that wrecked 121 for cheap enough, go ahead and try it. The worst you'll do is waste some time and a little $$...

I'd rather do it right the first time and just put a little more to regular lowering springs... But that's just me.

[MONSOON]

Theres a couple people here that cut off a coil to coil and 1/2 from their springs. What types of negative effects it has though has not been mentioned.

[Sp33dY]

Hmmm .. only cos i refuse to spend $200-$300 on lowered springs on a car only worth2k .... and i reckon i'll find that the springs wont go low enough for what i want anyway . As mentioned, the worst that can happen will be a rough ride, and i'll be a few4 out of pcoket. ghmmmmm

[93_Festiva]

Sp33dY

I just got a Quote of $170 per pair or $500 (4) fitted of 40mm Lower & Stiffer Springs from Pedders

will be getting these soon and will fit myself....and they will work with stock shocks just have to cut the bump stops abit....

Much safer than cutting and they may not look now but they will when it is cut....at least with lower springs you are legal and you still have ride comfort.......

Craig.....

[Sp33dY]

mmm yes.... was trying to do it the dodgy way Im still not sure if 40mm will be sufficient --- i want the tyres on the guards .... will have to do some measuring i think I guess comfort is also something to factor in as I drive 100kms a day in my little 121

[93_Festiva]

40mm should put the Tyre's level with the guards which be my measurements will put the car 100 mm off the ground which is just legal...

I am doing this and then using spring clamps to give me abit more....but will wait until my 15" arrive....

Craig....

[Maxtiva]

Hmmm .. only cos i refuse to spend $200-$300 on lowered springs on a car only worth 2k

At the beginning my car worth 2000$ too and I have invested on it and now it worth over 15k (and this is not the end of my mod). So you can spend a little 200$ on spring for your comfort.

[MPG]

Cutting stock springs (within reason) can be a very cost-effective modification depending on your intended usage of the car. Cutting stock springs will lower the vehicle and slightly increase the spring rate of the spring resulting in a slightly firmer ride. However if you cut too much off, the spring rate will not be high enough to keep the suspension from hitting the bump stops on hard bumps.

IMO, slightly cut stock springs can be much more comfortable for a daily driven vehicle than higher rate performance lowering springs.

[Sp33dY]

Than plan was to get Aspire Springs, lop them down and put them into my 121/festiva ..... but I'll probably not bother now.

[DuritzCrows17]

I have cut aspire springs I am selling sense I am parting out my festiva but I loved em and had absolutley no problems what so ever.

[88smartcar]

Hate to bring back an old thread...

I scooped this car for $50, runs like a champ but at speeds of 55mph it kind of wants to wander around in the lane. How low would cutting 1 coil make the car ride? i AM NOT going to buy lowering springs for a $50 car... its either cut a coil or leave it alone. any suggestions?

[MONSOON]

You may have other things going on with the suspension. That car is sitting at stock height right now.

Update your profile and add your location. May come in handy in the future, as there may be someone close by that could possibly give you a hand with it.

[88smartcar]

i know its at stock height now... i want to know how much of a drop i will get from cutting 1 coil.

i know on some cars that 1 coil does almost nothing, others it will have scraping the ground. the shocks seem to be fine and the car rides nice, it just wanders a bit more than i'm used to. What i'm used to is my K20A2 Civic hatch with 950lb rear springs on it, so you can understand that there is no wandering with a setup like that and im probably just being picky about it.

I dont want to go and ruin a perfectly good car if cutting 1 coil is going to slam it to the ground and make it un-dravable. on the other hand, if this is a suspension that 1 coil can be taken out of, retain the same ride quality while lowering the car about an inch, i might as well

[Pu241]

I scooped this car for $50, runs like a champ but at speeds of 55mph it kind of wants to wander around in the lane. How low would cutting 1 coil make the car ride? i AM NOT going to buy lowering springs for a $50 car... its either cut a coil or leave it alone. any suggestions?

Cutting a spring is not going to help the "lane wandering" issue.
It is most like caused by worn Lower Control Arms(LCA), more precisely lower ball joints.
Which unfortunately can not be replaced by themselves, they come as part of the LCA.
Cutting a spring can help it handle better, but depending upon how you like your ride it can result in a ride not to your liking.
Your location is appreciated!
Just go to the blue bar above hit User CP, then in the control panel to the left select Edit Profile.
You have to scroll to the bottom of the profile page to find the location entry.
I promise no ford festiva sales representatives will call!
Nice ride for $50!
Care to quadruple your money?