The Complete How To Cut Your Stock Springs Thread

[A.T]

ok i found a pic of a spring cut half a coil and compare it to mine here is a pic. you can tell mine have been cut but if you look at the coils mine has half a coil more. where the springs diffent lenths from year to year?

I just did a a google search on stock 03-04 coil springs. I found a couple coupe springs that match the amout of spring you have currently.

Did those springs come from a vert or coupe?

 

[slowassgt]

No came out of a coupe

 

[A.T]

My buddy has a stock 10th Anniversary. His Cobra was lower than mine before I cut my springs. For some reason mine was one of the highest ones for stock height. I wonder if Ford used one spring on the early production and changed them on the second run :shrug:

 

[slowassgt]

Hmm maybe. I'm gonna cut half a coil and go from there. Thanks for your help

 

[A.T]

Hmm maybe. I'm gonna cut half a coil and go from there. Thanks for your help

Alright, no problem. 1/2 coil is a good starting point. Good luck, and post some pics after it settles.

 

[SATANG]

I decided to get the SR performance springs which lower the car 1.5 inches. I have been reading that if i leave the stock struts in they will wear out. Is that true?(my car has 55k miles)

 

[Jefe]

At 55k miles they are probably close to worn out anyways. I dont think 1.5" of drop will affect them too much. Not too expensive to upgrade those down the road though

 

[SATANG]

I decided to hold off on the struts for now to see how the ride is first.

I ordered J&M CC plates. I am unsure on how to properly shim the top of the strut where it connects to the CC plate. Is there any special way to do it or is it just get the top of the strut as close to the hood as possible without touching?

This issue is the same with cobras as well so hopefully someone can help...thanks in advance

 

[Jefe]

I ordered J&M CC plates. I am unsure on how to properly shim the top of the strut where it connects to the CC plate. Is there any special way to do it or is it just get the top of the strut as close to the hood as possible without touching?

There should be directions that come with them as well as "shims/spacer" rings that go on the strut shaft to space it properly. Your drop will determine how much spacing you need. But yes the general rule is as close as possible without hitting the hood. Put some sticky tape on the top of the shaft and lower the hood until its down and see if the tape sticks to the hood when you bring it back up

Actually heres the instructions: How to Install J&M Caster Camber Plates on Your 1994-2004 Mustang - Free Shipping!

 

[03Snakeb1te]

sorry for the ignorant question guys but cutting 1 coil means cutting 1 whole turn:shrug: ?? im tryna do this to my cobra as well and i need all the help possible

 

[A.T]

sorry for the ignorant question guys but cutting 1 coil means cutting 1 whole turn:shrug: ?? im tryna do this to my cobra as well and i need all the help possible

Yes, it would be a whole turn. Be sure to post some pics after it settles.

 

[KillerMike]

Im in 4x4 mode in my 03 cobra vert on 18x9/18x10 saleens. I am running a 295 rear tire (Not sure if it matters) I plan on tackling this job this weekend. I am looking for a some-what slammed look but dont want to deal with rubbing. Can anyone tell me a "rough" number of coils I should cut on the front and then on the rear to give me as much of a lowered look as possible as I can without rubbing issues? What do you think?

 

[A.T]

Im in 4x4 mode in my 03 cobra vert on 18x9/18x10 saleens. I am running a 295 rear tire (Not sure if it matters) I plan on tackling this job this weekend. I am looking for a some-what slammed look but dont want to deal with rubbing. Can anyone tell me a "rough" number of coils I should cut on the front and then on the rear to give me as much of a lowered look as possible as I can without rubbing issues? What do you think?

I think a full coil on all 4 should do. If you are close with clearance already in some areas that you can't avoid, then 1/2 to 3/4. But you probably should get the rear coupe springs if you have or want to help prevent wheel hop.

 

[shurur]

I hope this post doesn't just create a great debate...
I've been chicken to post this for fear that it may be inaccurate...But what to hell.
I complied this from my pouring over tons of threads on cobra with IRS cut springs.

If you use MM (prothane) isos, you will find they are beefier and will rob you of some drop .. ~1/4" on the front and ~3/4"+ on the rear.

IMO This works on all the 1999-2004 cobras as slope of coil wind is the same....most settle on 3/4 to 7/8 coil cuts

I would take good measurements from LEVEL ground to bottom of fender ( ~ 28" all the way around)
THEN I would cut 1/2 coil all the way around first...

1 coil is pretty aggressive..but about an eighth of the coil is flat before it starts to turn upward..


CUT SPRING GUIDE FOR STOCK COBRA with stock isolators.
FRONT (+/-) REAR (+/-)
3/8 coil 0.50-0.75 0.75-1.00
1/2 coil 0.75-1.00 1.00-1.25
5/8 coil 1.00-1.25 1.25-1.50
3/4 coil 1.25-1.50 1.50-1.75
7/8 coil 1.50-1.75 1.75-2.00
1 coil 1.75-2.00 2.00-2.25
1-1/8 coil 2.00-2.25 2.25-2.50

 

[KillerMike]

I think a full coil on all 4 should do. If you are close with clearance already in some areas that you can't avoid, then 1/2 to 3/4. But you probably should get the rear coupe springs if you have or want to help prevent wheel hop.

Will cutting these stock springs help with any wheel hop or just the coupe springs? Im going for 1 full coil off my stock vert springs first. Anyone have a pic of there ride with 1 full coil cut on all 4 corners?

 

[Jefe]

It will help a bit having it lower but tires and the rubber in the IRS is the main cause of wheel hop

There are pictures in here of 1 full coil cut

 

[A.T]

Will cutting these stock springs help with any wheel hop or just the coupe springs? Im going for 1 full coil off my stock vert springs first. Anyone have a pic of there ride with 1 full coil cut on all 4 corners?

Post #69 from 03cobra#694 shows a pic of 1 full coil.

 

[KillerMike]

Once you have the spring out it makes sense which side to cut. One side is flattened/compressed the other is perfectly round and spaced evenly. You cut the round/spaced evenly side

Just for 100% clarification, this photo here shows 1/2 of a coil being cut correct?

 

[BSXrad]

Yes it does

 

[Jefe]

Exactly