Lowering: Cut stock springs or buy aftermarket??

**DVrec21** · 01-21-2010, 07:03 PM

Whats up, I own a 99 z28 and have recently put on my 18" Eagle rims. There pretty nice, 5 spoke, look kinda like the c6 z06 wheels. anyways it seemed that with the stock suspension the ride height went a little higher and would rather dump the money somewhere else rather than paying $2000+ for suspension.
I was wondering if anyone has seen or has experience with cut stock springs on a z28. I could get it done at my dads local shop, and wouldnt be bringing the ride height down drastically. maybe just an inch or inch and a half by cutting a few coils off. Is this a good idea?? Or is the stock suspension a little too soft to go lowering? my tires arent THAT big and well my rear tires fill the wheel gap pretty nice. 255/45/18 rear. and 245/40/18 front.
Post up any comments or experiences...Thanks!!

**35th-ANV-SS** · 01-21-2010, 07:19 PM

From what I understand, cutting the stock springs to lower the car will hurt your handling and overall drivability, even more so with using stock shocks.

**DVrec21** · 01-21-2010, 07:30 PM

mmhmmm.... i guess its only logical. thanks man. looks like i will be dishing out money for shocks and springs then....

**SOMbitch** · 01-22-2010, 12:37 PM

It will ride stiffer.

You can get about 3/4" in the rear with the heater hose mod....

**DVrec21** · 01-25-2010, 08:46 AM

lol.... today a friend of mine told me to just put v6 shocks in the front to lower it a bit. i really just want to lower the car about an inch or so. but want it a tad lower in the front mainly because that is where most of the wheel gap is. ( i got taller tires in the back). This is probably a dumb idea...

**Knight** · 01-25-2010, 09:02 AM

check out Summit Racing. they have lowering springs for pretty cheap. look in the lt1/ls1 section. or check the parts swap forum, never know maybe someone is getting rid of some.

**DVrec21** · 01-25-2010, 09:08 AM

actually that sounds like a really great idea.... yeh i'll go look for some thanks dude!!

**Knight** · 01-25-2010, 09:11 AM

no problem. post some pics when you get it done.

**SOMbitch** · 01-25-2010, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Knight

check out Summit Racing. they have lowering springs for pretty cheap. look in the lt1/ls1 section. or check the parts swap forum, never know maybe someone is getting rid of some.

The Summitt springs SUCK! They are rebadged Eibachs.....

**Knight** · 01-25-2010, 09:23 AM

go online. they only list theirs in the catalog. if you go online they carry other brands as well. but check other places too. it never hurts to check around.

**bigrondownhiller** · 01-25-2010, 01:57 PM

There was a member on here that did that. Not sure how much he cut off though.

**camaro2000ss** · 01-25-2010, 02:19 PM

When i was in high school i cut my stock springs (1 1/2 in) on my 87 t/a gta. The ride was very bad, and the handling was bad too. After about 2 weeks, i bought new springs and shocks. JUST DONT DO IT! ITS

!

**bberretta** · 01-26-2010, 06:43 AM

Cutting springs was the "old school" way of dropping cars before performance springs starting hitting the market. Think of it this way: the stock spring is made to hold the weight of that particular car, with that particular motor, under a set amount of stress. If you cut the coil (which you have to cut in a particular way for it to reseat correctly) you lose the ability to hold the weight of the car and motor under any sort of stress. If all you're looking for is a quick way to make it look lowered, sure, cut 'em. But if you're wanting to drive the car and not feel like you're being prison raped every time you hit a bump in the road, I'd suggest going with a decent set of drop springs.

**SOMbitch** · 01-26-2010, 06:54 AM

And I will add there are several choices and only a couple good ones....And you will need decent shocks too or it will suck.....

**bberretta** · 01-26-2010, 07:10 AM

Originally Posted by SOMbitch

And I will add there are several choices and only a couple good ones....And you will need decent shocks too or it will suck.....

Yup. I put Hotchkis springs on my '70 Nova and dropped it 1.5" (along with Z28 springs on the rear to drop it 1") but failed to replace the shocks. Felt like driving a hay wagon on a dirt road.

**9T8W66** · 01-26-2010, 07:19 AM

Strano Springs w/Koni Shocks

Nuff Said.

**shady milkman** · 01-26-2010, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by 9T8W66

Strano Springs w/Koni Shocks

Nuff Said.

^ im with him..i am getting ready to upgrade my shocks and springs..and there is only one true option.

**shady milkman** · 01-26-2010, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by bberretta

But if you're wanting to drive the car and not feel like you're being prison raped every time you hit a bump in the road, I'd suggest going with a decent set of drop springs.

so true

**LS2GTO** · 01-26-2010, 05:12 PM

Cutting springs is doable but only if you know what you're doing. There's a member on LS1tech who did his homework and claims he got good results cutting the stock springs. I'll try and find the link for you.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/appear...ngs-get-4.html

**MAXX2** · 01-28-2010, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by DVrec21

Whats up, I own a 99 z28 and have recently put on my 18" Eagle rims. There pretty nice, 5 spoke, look kinda like the c6 z06 wheels. anyways it seemed that with the stock suspension the ride height went a little higher and would rather dump the money somewhere else rather than paying $2000+ for suspension.
I was wondering if anyone has seen or has experience with cut stock springs on a z28. I could get it done at my dads local shop, and wouldnt be bringing the ride height down drastically. maybe just an inch or inch and a half by cutting a few coils off. Is this a good idea?? Or is the stock suspension a little too soft to go lowering? my tires arent THAT big and well my rear tires fill the wheel gap pretty nice. 255/45/18 rear. and 245/40/18 front.
Post up any comments or experiences...Thanks!!

[B]Buck up and spend the $$$s on an Air Suspension setup. We also belong to Team Chevelle, and found a setup for less than half price on the site. It has one week on it, and that really bothered us as to why the guy would sell it at all. Turns out he went to another setup, and has $$$s coming out his pockets.

Actually, this is just an idea, as it's still not cheap, and not sure how difficult it is to do this complete changeover on these cars.

Anyone on this site do this???

MAXX