Thread: Any tips on cutting coil springs?

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I already installed them in the car so I can't return them. Drag springs are sold according to front end weight and are all the same length, at least Moroso's are. Although at 1900 pounds my car's front end weight is at the top of what this spring is rated for (1740-1910lbs), this is a light spring at 212 lbs. so I should be able to cut them some and increase the spring rate without causing too much problem. Naturally I don't want to lose the stored energy or make them too stiff, but without cutting them I don't have enough shock/front suspension travel (extension). I figure the front end is going to come off the ground anyway, so the suspension will max out on launch. I'm trying to understand rate/load rate/ride height/wheel ratio relationships so I don't cut too much and so my setup is optimal for my car. The way I understand it, the only adverse affect from cutting a coil spring is that it increases the spring rate. As long as that rate fits my application I don't think it will hurt anything. The next highest spring rate is 230 lbs and is for front end weight of 1910-1980.

I'm trying to follow advice in the Doorslammer's Chassis Book I bought. It's a great book, but doesn't go into detail about cutting springs. It does stress the importance of properly setting up springs/shock/suspension travel/ride height etc. I can't believe how hard it is to get the manufacturer/product information necessary for this aspect of chassis setup.