Anybody with experience in spring cutting?

On a 99 Q, should I cut from the top or the bottom? Is on coil usually equal to one inch? From you experience, was it worth it or did the car ride like crap?


Please no flaming, I just want facts. Thank you.

i don't own a Q45, but from what everyone else is saying and from what i've read

[size=2][b][color=Red]DON'T DO IT[/color][/b][/size][size=2][/size]

peace

shane

save your time and and money, and ride it stock, until you can afford coilovers or airride. cutting your springs will just wear out your bushings, shocks, and make it ride like crap. 

I hear mixed emotions on it. To fill you in, car has 2" teins now. Car rides awfull aproachin winter. Im gettin rid of the teins (don't make sense in my climate) and going stock again. I just hate the stock wheel gap and want it to look a little aggressive still. I think 1" would be perfect but nobody makes 1" springs. That leaves me with the dilema of maybe cutting my stockers.

just leave it stock for winter. it's going to ride worse than the tein's unless you cut the tein's also. the reason it's going to ride so bad, is that you will be throwing the spring rate out of wack. doesn't matter if you cut them all the same length, it's still going to be off. you are going to get wandering from the car, it may throw off your alignment, and it'll ride horrible. 

[quote=Caoboy ]
save your time and and money, and ride it stock, until you can afford coilovers or airride. cutting your springs will just wear out your bushings, shocks, and make it ride like crap. 
[/quote]


I should have bought coilovers this time. :'( Just went and bought all new stock stuts and bushings for the car.

i would cut the coarser side..
it will affect the ride height the most with the
least amount of cutting to do so.
try 1/2 coil or 1 coil at first
MAKE SURE that if u do cut it, the spring's diameter
will still sit on the spring perch on your shock.

u can use a grinder, a dremel or anything like that to cut it.

Well, Speaking from Experience....

I HAVE cut the springs on a '98 Q45. And personally I thought I rode just fine. (This was about 2-3 years ago) I drove that car off and on for about 6 months, while my car was down and it rode pretty freakin good! I was very happy with how it turned out. Let me see if I can dig up the pic of the ride height. It was kinda low I think. Just make sure your struts arn't blown! haha 


Here's a pic:

[img]http://www.msprotege.com/members/Chris@Spool/Scotts%20QJ.jpg[/img]


OBTW: Cut the front springs from the bottom (I can't remember how i did the rears, i think from the bottom too though.). I ended up cutting the fronts springs while they were on the car. I definatly WOULD NOT reccomend doing it this way. I was lazy and i didn't want to take the damn front hubs off, so I used a spring compressor and it worked out. But, I would reccomend you take the front struts off to cut the springs. Just be careful and do it correctly and you should just fine. 

Most people who say "DON'T DO IT!" Have either never done on a car this size, or have done it incorrectly. 

I say go for it! It's a cheap easy way to achieve the look you want. 

If you cut springs on a Q45, It wont ride like a civic with cut springs. You will be suprized how it will ride.  Just make sure you cut them all equal in length from side to side and make sure your struts are not blown and you will be fine.

I have brand new factory struts. Im hoping that just an inch drop won't blow out my new struts.

[quote=Q_Ship ]
I have brand new factory struts. Im hoping that just an inch drop won't blow out my new struts.
[/quote]

You should be prefectly fine with that. I would actually suggest a little more than that. 

The car pictured above, was on stock struts with 80k on them and they weren't blown when the car was sold at 120k. :)

[quote=jzz30tt ]
You should be prefectly fine with that. I would actually suggest a little more than that. 

The car pictured above, was on stock struts with 80k on them and they weren't blown when the car was sold at 120k.  :)
[/quote]


That looks great. How many inches did you bring it down? How many coils were cut off? Did the car ride almost as good as did stock?

[quote=Q_Ship ]

That looks great. How many inches did you bring it down? How many coils were cut off? Did the car ride almost as good as did stock?
[/quote]

Man, it's been so long i've forgotten how many coils were cut. But it was several, like may 3 or 4 on the front? I forget. I wouldn't say as good as stock but as good as a set of Tein springs would ride, maybe better than that..lol 

Sorry to be a pest but would you say that the less coils cut the better the ride?

[quote=Q_Ship ]
Sorry to be a pest but would you say that the less coils cut the better the ride?
[/quote]

I dunno If I would say that.. I think there's a point where it will ride worse the more you cut but t's hard to say where that point is. I was pretty suprised at how much we cut the front springs... It took at least 2 coils to actually make a difference in height iirc. 

I tell you what. I should be getting some coilovers for my Q here in about a month or so. If you cut too much I'll send you my springs haha! 

[quote=jzz30tt ]
Most people who say "DON'T DO IT!" Have either never done on a car this size, or have done it incorrectly. 

I say go for it! It's a cheap easy way to achieve the look you want. 

[/quote]

you are correct in your assumption as i have never done it, but like i said from what i've read and heard that's all.  :)

not to jump on the band wagon so to speak but i have teins on my 03 Galant and was thinking about cuting a coil or two off to get the ride highth i want do you think this would be a good thing or not?

thanks 
shane

Well I have read the whole thread and I think personally cutting your coilovers is a Cheap Way to achieve 
a look you are after..just that a LOOK YOU ARE AFTER..YOu are not getting the performance upgrade with cut springs
infact you are down grading the performance..dont care what anyone says...IF ride wuality was great and performance was grat and looks 
are great why are people buying coils and air and spings (with correct spring rates)..Just to spend the money..What if you mess up and now 
you have to buy new springs just to ride comy again..its your car and your money but to me its not very VIP if you will to cut springs...

I have been wanting to slam my Q for some time and yeah that thought crossed my mine but I said no not to this car...
I dont want to do things cheap in this VIP project..Now I say cheap not in cost but in pore modding..

I just bought some JIC coilovers and they are on there way to me after all this time waiting for the perfect opportuinty and it came..I am 
now glad I did not cut the coilovers or invest in springs as in the end of you are here to make your car VIP..no springs will get you were 
you are really wanting to go...and thats to the floor baby to the floor...I think that Tiens look good but most fools I talk to end up wanting it lower and resort to cutting theres and doing it wrong..All the nice pictures of VIP Q ans Ls ans what not are all on coilovers and some air but for the most part coilover..

on the other note Eibach makes a pro kit that is hard to get but its is a 1" drop front and back..I believe they are like $300 for the set of 4...

Good luck eithere way you go..

The Eibachs would be PERFECT for me if they only still made it. Quality stuff too. But they have been discontinued. But yes, if I had the choice, thats what I would be doing.

[quote=zion_97 ]
Well I have read the whole thread and I think personally cutting your coilovers is a Cheap Way to achieve 
a look you are after..just that a LOOK YOU ARE AFTER..YOu are not getting the performance upgrade with cut springs[/quote]

Really? I'm pretty sure he isn't looking to take his car to a road course... HAHA Last time I checked 99% of VIP cars are all about LOOKS... wow imagine that. 

Once again, someone who hasn't done it. I'm not trying to be an asshole, but if you read the title to the thread he specifically asked for people with EXPERIENCE. 

If you think it's not smart that's great pay money for springs that won't lower the car enough..lol That's your decision. I also ordered coilovers for my Q, however, that was simply because I wanted this car to be very very low and have decent dampening, not to mention my car has 2 blown shocks right now >:( . In his case he is only looking for a small drop, a LOOK cut springs can achieve very effectively. 

[quote=Q_Ship ]
The Eibachs would be PERFECT for me if they only still made it. Quality stuff too. But they have been discontinued. But yes, if I had the choice, thats what I would be doing.
[/quote]

Here you go bro..
[url]http://www.springworks.com/auto-lowkit-honda-buy.html[/url]

YOu are in luck...YOu can still get the Eibachs if you want.[quote=jzz30tt ]
Really? I'm pretty sure he isn't looking to take his car to a road course... HAHA Last time I checked 99% of VIP cars are all about LOOKS... wow imagine that. 

Once again, someone who hasn't done it. I'm not trying to be an asshole, but if you read the title to the thread he specifically asked for people with EXPERIENCE. 

If you think it's not smart that's great pay money for springs that won't lower the car enough..lol That's your decision. I also ordered coilovers for my Q, however, that was simply because I wanted this car to be very very low and have decent dampening, not to mention my car has 2 blown shocks right now >:( . In his case he is only looking for a small drop, a LOOK cut springs can achieve very effectively. 
[/quote]

WOw cut springs really VIP man reallyVIP.... sorry I forget your the VIP guru around here..haha. funny..IF you dont agree that cut springs is plain out cheap then thats you....But I have seen to many thrown together VIP pieces of crap..Sorry If I want to do mine the right way..IF you look around you can get used JIC's for a great price..I wont reveal my price but it was such a great deal it will make you want to slap your mama! 
VIP is about styling and not so much performance but most folks in the VIP Mags and in general rock COilovers over air and not cut springs..Do your homework on this...I know thier not all taken it to the track but think about one thing..YOu want to go as low as possible that your driving condition will allow you  but you  want to do it right with right damping and correct spring rates..What good is to go low and scrape evertthing beneth you when you can stop that with some Coilovers.....This guy is looking for a moderate drop 1" at that point I say why pay $325 for springs that  you will only cut an inch...but on the other hand does $325 meen a better ride than a cut 1" of stock springs..My buddy has a 96 that he cut the springs and his ride rides like s***..Not sure if he did it right or if thier is a right or wrong way to CUTTING OEM SPRINGS but at that piont I sais all this will do is bring more problems to the other parts of the suspension that just the springs and shocks..I am talking about the whole enchilada..Believe it or not cut springs will have in impact on your car for the worse than for the best..And yeah I have not cut springs before and I never will. Its plain out ghetto ass s***... so say what you want think what you want, I dont care I will never meet you or see you so these are just words that will effect the moment and not the future! People will do what they want even if you give them the best or worst advice!

cut from the top..the bottom on most cars is usually tapered...but check the spring before you cut. some cars..like the bb in the rear are tapered on both the top and bottom...cutting too much on one side is futile..the spring will no longer sit and will just clang around while you drive....cutting is so time consuming too. the easiest way is to heat them up...take it to a shop with a torch, a muffler shop. it gets a little more floaty then cut but since you have more coils still in there..it reduces the clanging...dont expect to go racing on either way when you have coilovers available to you now..we used to do this alot before, but do it as a late resort option if funds are low and you appreciate the ride height more then the ride quality. 

before any of that stuff was available, It worked...

just from experience on different cars..i used to have.  ;)

[b]SIMPLE[/b]

Thanks guys, Im not doing it. Putting it back to stock and enjoying this Q ship for what it is.

[quote=Q_Ship ]
 Putting it back to stock and enjoying this Q ship for what it is.
[/quote]

A grandpa car? :'(

You think so? Jesus, im 25 years old. I still like a nice ride.

[quote=Q_Ship ]
The Eibachs would be PERFECT for me if they only still made it. Quality stuff too. But they have been discontinued. But yes, if I had the choice, thats what I would be doing.
[/quote]

I have Eibach springs on my 97Q and I want to go an inch lower than what I have. Do you want to buy or trade for a set of used Tien springs?
You need go up an inch and I need to go down an inch so let's work something out. 8)
E-mail me @ [email]audiovisiony33@yahoo.com[/email]. You can also see how it looks with 18" X 8.5 & 9.5 Volk SS [url]www.cardomain.com/ride/2316066[/url]

Yea, i would be down for that. Even trade?

Hahaha, I've got a grandpa car too though! It's all what you make of it... I'm sure Lexus and Infiniti's target market for some of their premier luxury cars aren't the 25 and under category!

PS: I'm younger than you by a good margin and I drive an LS400

hey q-ship please LMK about the used teins. [email]chmercer@gmail.com[/email]

Does anyone have expirence cutting after market springs? I currently have swift springs which is about 20 mm drop in front but I am going to sell them on nico club because I just ordered a set of insurance springs which is about 35-40mm up front. Would it be ok to cut about 2 coils off of the after market springs? 

im looking for a 60-65mm drop without spending 2g's on coilovers. I am waiting for tax returns to get bags.  

On my lexus I had the supra suspension front and rear and decided to cut a 1/2 coil on the front and back and settled the car real good but not low enought! So I decided to heat them up and I put in a large vise and heated the center coils. Let it cool and re installed them. My car rode like stock and was nice and low almost a 2.5" drop when I was done. 

Consider heating before cutting...

[quote=VIPFlame ]
 I decided to heat them up and I put in a large vise and heated the center coils.  Let it cool and re installed them. My car rode like stock and was nice and low almost a 2.5" drop when I was done.  

Consider heating before cutting...
[/quote]

Thanks, That was helpful. Thats what I will do.