Modifying stock springs

[azheat]

Not to sound like a hillbilly, but, has anyone just chopped a coil or half off their stock springs. I understand this changes all of spring parameters designed into the stock suspension; lookin to lower the PT-GT and save a couple C-notes at the same time, until I can blow the wad on a full coilover system. Speaking of hacking parts off, what about that muffler being replaced with a nice shiny two foot long chrome extension. I'm sometimes rude and blunt, why not be obnoxious too? And no, I don't have a sick fetish about using Sawz-Alls, grinders, pipe cutters, cuttin' all kinds of sh*t apart, etc......

[GTSteve]

quote:Originally posted by azheat

Not to sound like a hillbilly, but, has anyone just chopped a coil or half off their stock springs. I understand this changes all of spring parameters designed into the stock suspension; lookin to lower the PT-GT and save a couple C-notes at the same time, until I can blow the wad on a full coilover system. Speaking of hacking parts off, what about that muffler being replaced with a nice shiny two foot long chrome extension. I'm sometimes rude and blunt, why not be obnoxious too? And no, I don't have a sick fetish about using Sawz-Alls, grinders, pipe cutters, cuttin' all kinds of sh*t apart, etc......

The BTG springs I have were only $140 w/free shipping. The muffler I have cost around $250. It is fairly loud for a muffler. I'm afraid a straight pipe would be way too loud esp. on the highway. Just my 2 cents. BTW, if you want good parts for a fair price, look at PT-Tuning.

[sakigt]

If I would do anything to the stock springs, Id heat them...but its quite a process and if you dont do it correctly youll have a lop-sided PT.

You can remove the muffler but if you dont replace it with at least a resonator, youll have a 25K ride that sounds like a $400 one...

[COP TZER]

actually if you eliminate the muffler and don't replace it with a resonator it sound really nice...IMHO. I have side pipes with no mufflers and i love it and actually get many complements on it and the sound from ANY car enthusiast whether they be muscle car guys, hot rodders, or even import tuners...

[GLH_TC 16V]

I too think that mufflerless exhaust system would sound pretty good. The GT would be alright, the SRT-4 doesn't have any mufflers and I think that it sounds great. I used to run just an exhaust dump on my Turbo Omni before the cat. and I absolutely love it, it was REALLY loud though and would set off most car alarms by me just driving by.

As for the chopped springs, I'm against it. If you are looking for a cheapie method of lowering the car, why not try those spring clamps? They are tiny clamps designed to grab only 2 coils. We have them here at Canadian Tire, not sure where you could start looking in your neck-of-the-woods.

[OurPTGT]

JCWhitney has those spring clamps. They're pretty cheap/inexpensive. Around $10 each I think[:I]

[quicksilverdon]

I think you'd regret cutting or heating the stock springs. Why not do the rears first and save for the coil-overs for the front? [:I]

[IRPT]

I think if you cut the springs the suspension would be a little to soft and handling would suffer.

[boosta]

IMO, cutting, heating or using clamps are Ghetto ! Be it a linear or progressive springs, they are designed with specific spring rates using full coils. Anytime you cut coils off or heat them, you are compromising handling/ride and safty. Handling/ride will suffer due to inability to handle load and increase the chance of blowing shocks/struts prematurely. Safty is compromised since with unknown spring rate, there is a chance of springs/shocks fully compressing and hittiing the bump stop (when you hit a big bump), which means the spring rates has gone to infinity..... which means you have just lost control of your car.

My advice... don't do it! It will end up costing you more and you will regret it. Good aftermarket lowing springs are not that expensive anyways. Do it right first time or don't do it at all.

As far as cutting off the muffler, I believe that for turbo cars don't need much or no back pressure. Therefore, this maybe good idea if you like the increased sound. I wonder if anyone have put resonator to make it slightely quiter without the muffer.

[GTPT]

az, forget about cutting your springs. It can't be done because of the way they are wound at top and bottom. I wouldn't advise heat either. Go to EBay. You can find a set of 2" Drop Zone springs for around $90.00.