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#390597 08/08/01 05:48 AM
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What is everyones opinion of chopping springs? I ask cause there are no aftermarket lowering springs for my Renault.


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87 Renault GTA convertible/2.0l/mtx/Sony sound/otherwise stock
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No debate necessary. Don't do it.

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I agree. Ive heard horror stories of cut springs failing at the worst time. I dont think its worth the risk.


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It totally destroys the continuity of the spring. Heating does this as well.

-Anyd


Andy Watson
'99 Silver SVT #2397| DOB 07/29/99
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not to mention rapid strut/shock wear!


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Agreed. Debate is futile (or is that Resistance?!?).

This question has been asked on prior occasions & always the proponents of cutting coils are just as irrational as are the proponents of street racing. wink

Not matter how logical the arguments against altering coil springs, such as negatively affecting their compression & rebound rates from their originally designed specifications, to causing potential failures when those rates are exceeded, some proponents continue to believe this is a viable alternative to just swallowing the bullet of purchasing aftermarket lowering springs that are properly engineered for a specific application.

Now this comes from someone whose close friend recently had the springs cut on his Ford Ranger pick-em-up truck. I believe he had a 1/2 coil removed (or something like that). This friend of mine is an auto enthusiast who really should know better but went ahead & had it done anyway despite my arguments to the contrary. He simply did not want to spend the extra dinero to purchase a lowering kit for his Ranger so opted for the cut springs instead.
I never rode in the truck as a passenger, either prior to or immediately after the cut job, so I can't personally vouch for the degredation in ride quality.

But suffice it to say, cutting springs is not really recommended by anyone with any sort of common sense. Or an engineering background as do I.

Oh, and my friend's Ranger? He eventually traded it in on a V6, 5-speed Mustang coupe. :rolleyes:


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About no springs for your rennie....

Have you checked the european markets? Renault is a pretty common make overseas.

If still no luck...try some racing supply shops....you know....the guys that cater to stock cars, outlaws, formula ford cars, etc...they may be able to get you a linear rate spring that would be appropriate for your application.

Hope this helps.


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Does '87 Renault 5 hardware fit on your car?? If so, SPAX, Jamex, Koni, Bilstein, Eibach and Sparco all make struts & springs for your car. I'm looking at them right now in the Demon Tweeks catalogue (from U.K.)

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Thanks for the advice. I really didn't want to do it this way but am frustrated trying to find parts for my "classic". A fellow I've spoken with on the web says he used chopped springs in his GTA for racing and it worked well, but I also know all the arguements against. I guess I will keep looking. I probably will source something form Europe as this car is the same as their R9 and R11.


96LX/24V/ATX/Midnight Red/A4 repeaters/SVT exhaust/KKM/65mm throttlebody/SVTsprings and ST200 struts/SE rockers and BAT spoiler/BAT 19mm swaybar/urethane bushings/Kenwood 7 speaker syst./E1 SVT brakes w Powerslot rotors/9005 lowbeams/885 fogs/50% tint/Michelin XM+S 130's for winter/E1's with gForces for summer...and now "New Paint!!"
87 Renault GTA convertible/2.0l/mtx/Sony sound/otherwise stock
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I've dropped cars by cutting the stock springs many, many times and never once had a problem. The key is HOW you do it. Never cut springs with a blow torch! If you do, it will be necessary to anneal the spring. The other key to making this job work corectly is the spring rate calculation. If you know it and some basic weight info. you can precisely calculate how much spring to cut off to achieve "X" amount of drop. I'd be happy to help if you wish to go this route.


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