[oregon chevelle]

I have new springs on the front and rear of my 66 chevelle. The front are one inch lower than stock but the new rears are stock height. Now I want to lower the rear as the car hopefully will get better transfer at the track. I have the old springs so I am thinking I could cut them down. What do you guys think? Would you do this or something else?

[speedydeedy]

First I wouldn't cut them too quick as most new springs settle a little .Put a few hundred miles and then see if they still sit too high then cut them.Also make sure before cutting them that the spring will still have the Right shape to fit properly as some springs have a taper. Cut half a coil at a time and drive a little between cuts. You can always cut more but not less. Good luck ,hope I helped.

[oregon chevelle]

Thanks for the advice. I did'nt even think about the taper? I will check and see.

[NEW INTERIORS]

Be careful when cutting!!!It is easy to cut to much.

[Triaged]

For what its worth the extra height will help weight transfer and might even make the suspension geometry a bit better.

[oregon chevelle]

Really? I would have thought the transfer would be helped if I lowered the back to help shift the weight toward the rear?

[ernkazern]

Pro's advise not using a torch to cut springs. Use a cutoff wheel or saw of some kind.

[Triaged]

Having a higher center of gravity will cause more weight transfer to the rear end under acceleration. It only becomes a problem if you are pulling the front tires off the ground or trying to reduce drag on the top end.

[oregon chevelle]

Oh I see. Maybe I will leave the back ride height as it is then? Thanks for the info.

[oldguy829]

Not a big time drag racer, but I had the opposite effect on my 41. It had a big time weight transfer, the tires would spin easily off the line, and eventually hook up. Dropped the rear end 2 inches, which transferred weight to the rear "all the time" and it hooks up a lot better/faster. I assume that is why pro street, etc. have the high front ends.

[BillyShope]

Weight transfer is a function of CG height, NOT car attitude. Raising either the rear or front of the car increases the weight transfer, all else remaining equal. But, as Triaged pointed out, there are other matters to consider. Ideally, the car should remain low to minimize aero drag, but other parameters might force a compromise.