Chopping Springs. - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

cheeba · 11-26-2003, 08:08 AM

Is chopping springs really that bad? I've heard a lot of things about it affecting ride quality and possibly being dangerous for everyday driving. What is the real deal on this? How dangerous is it to just chop like one coil?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm planning on getting a tokico hp/vogtland suspension upgrade for my gen 4 (i4) and right now, thanks to the subs in my trunk, my car looks a bit like a drag racer. If I chop a coil off the front, will it fix that look? Is it dangerous? I'd get it professionally done if anything.

A pic of my car can be found here: My Cam.

Thanks guys.

toyrolla · 11-26-2003, 09:58 AM

Hi Cheeba,

Chopping springs decreases the load capacity of the springs, this is why you should not cut them.

You're better off going with a set of lowering springs which will lower your car and still maintain the much needed load capacity.

Good luck,

***BLUEMEANIE*** · 11-26-2003, 10:03 AM

Vogtland springs are made only for the V6 so chopping them will not really affect load bering capacity on a 4cyl. I have a coil chopped off my front Vogtlands.

cheeba · 11-26-2003, 11:05 AM

I thought that the vogs were only for the v6 if you were getting them for a gen 3. Why can't I find any official information regarding this, or the drop rates and such, for these springs?

I keep getting conflicting information.

Ps. What is the difference in suspension between a v6 and an i4 cam? I have a gen 4.5 by the way.

***Eye8Pussies*** · 11-26-2003, 11:33 AM

^ the difference ins front suspension between a v6 and an i4 is is the weight which is on the front end of the car due to the engine size - v6 engines are larger and heavier than i4s, therefore the springs designed for v6s will either have a different spring rate, or usually, is just longer

***Ratko*** · 11-26-2003, 11:45 AM

***YESCA*** · 11-26-2003, 12:13 PM

Unfortunally you are going to get alot of conflicting info about chopping springs

but it 6 of 1 and a 1/2 dozen of another. In one aspect cutting you springs is bad because you are changing the load capacity on the spring but on another aspect, unless you are consantly going over speed bumps or very rough terain it really won't effect the ride of the car. I helped Bluemeanie cut his springs and let me tell you, the car droped to a nice hight and it rides just as smooth as my H&Rs' that have not been cut. (I have a gen 4.) So the down side is, YES you will hear a ton of people tell you not to do it and that is fine, but there is only a couple sets of springs out there and if you want to go lower chop a coil off and see the results for your self

87Camry5Speed · 11-26-2003, 12:19 PM

isnt' it also possible that the heat generated through friction by the cutting wheel would also compromise the integrity of the spring? also what if the spring is rusted badly to begin with

just my .02

steve

arcasmachineracing · 11-26-2003, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 3SFECamry
isnt' it also possible that the heat generated through friction by the cutting wheel would also compromise the integrity of the spring? also what if the spring is rusted badly to begin with

just my .02

steve

New springs should not be rusted. Use a hack-saw then.

***YESCA*** · 11-26-2003, 12:31 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 3SFECamry
[B]isnt' it also possible that the heat generated through friction by the cutting wheel would also compromise the integrity of the spring? also what if the spring is rusted badly to begin with
just my .02

If you use a Dremel it wont generate really much heat at all, Also if you are worried about rust just put alittle dab of touch up paint on the part you cut off. And NO new springs are not supposed to be rusty.

cheeba · 11-26-2003, 01:14 PM

Ok, so nobody has ACTUALLY had a bad experience cutting springs. It's one of those, "I heard from a guy who heard from his girlfriend, who over heard her sister's brother's priest" stories, that cutting your springs is not only bad for ride quality, but can also make you impotent and impregnate your little sister (only if done improperly).

I don't think that one coil should hurt that much based on what some of you said and besides, what's the worst that could happen? A spring flies loose while driving on the highway and I crash and die a horrible death and destroy my cam. Damn, you're right, I'd hate to destroy my car...oh yeah, and die too.

Oh well, at least I'll die in a camry

***BLUEMEANIE*** · 11-26-2003, 01:58 PM

Most people will tell you its bad... most of them are telling you from hearsay and not actual experience.
!!!Remember to take it off the top at the dead coil (the non progressively wound end)!!!
Thats where the hearsay starts... people chopping springs that are progressively wound at both ends i.e. honda springs. If you take anything off those even a little off each end it will change the spring rate and ruin your springs.
There are also those who chop too much off a spring that is progressively wound on only one side thus making the spring too short.

Hot rodders have been doing it for years. All the old fogey drag racers I hang out with do it to their +400hp american muscle cars with no problems

There are also shops that will heat sag your springs too.

All in all, as long as its done correctly there shouldnt be any problems.
...on the other hand, if you can get a set that doesnt need cutting to achieve the stance you want, get them.

btw ask Sean at CTMotorsport about the availability of gen4 4cyl Vogtlands.

cheeba · 11-26-2003, 02:32 PM

Thanks for the info and I already spoke to sean and he gave me a quote.

Ps. I hope you're getting paid for all that advertising

threedom · 11-26-2003, 04:21 PM

Chopping springs actually is a good idea, done properly. Don't worry about heat, it doesn't matter at the very end of the spring. The "load capacity" changing is BS. The spring will actually have a higher rate when cut, it's basic. Less spring, the more force it takes to flex it a given amount (say 1" or whatever).

My H&R sport springs are EXACTLY the same diameter as my stock springs, just shorter. The tricky part is making sure it seats properly in the strut mount, you may need to heat it about 1/2 way around and bend it down (towards the other end) in order for it to seat properly.

The other problem is you can't really cut rear springs, as they are different major diameters (loop sizes) on the bottom as on the top. Well, that's true for my 1995 anyhow, not sure about other gens.

Flame suit on, but you better know WTF you are talking about if you wanna throw it my way!

toyrolla · 11-26-2003, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BLUEMEANIE
Vogtland springs are made only for the V6 so chopping them will not really affect load bering capacity on a 4cyl. I have a coil chopped off my front Vogtlands.

Bluemeanie...
you're...you're...you're such a meanie...
(hehehehehehehe, j/k Dude...)

To further clarify something, if I may...

I answered the question in general, not aware that the Vogtland springs are only for V6.

Us Gen2 owners do not get Vogtland springs. This is why I posted the answer I did.

With the Intrax springs, the top coil is cut off to eliminate the hopped up "dragster" look in the Gen2 models....

...and with that in mind, Happy Holidays to all....