The Oldsmobile Connection

HOLMBERG · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 3 Location: N.H

what would be the rite way to lower my Cutty 2". I dunno... I'm guessing after market shocks and struts?... please help

andrewk · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 1246 Location: Ames, IA

Hi HOLMBURG, all,

First, welcome to TOC.

The proper way to lower your Cutlass would be shorter struts in the front, and depending on the rear configuration, shorter springs and shocks. Cutting the exsisting ones will give the look, but will alter the spring rates and you will find yourself bottoming out. A few members here have airbagged their Cieras, and it seems to work well.

So there's a couple options, but as for where to get your parts, I am unsure, as I haven't done anything like that before. Perhaps in a day or so one of the members that has experience will chime in.

Regards,

Andrew

88 Coupe · Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:43 pm Post subject: Re: 2 inch drop

Hi HOLMBERG, hello everyone,

Welcome to TOC.

Quote: ........ please help
OK. You misspelled Cutlass. The following link might be of interest.

http://www.oldsconnection.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=18124#18124

Regards, Norm.

HOLMBERG · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 3 Location: N.H

the rear configuration...? what do you mean by that? are there differnt kinds of configuration? I've seen some airbag rides. They are bad a$$. Never in an 87 3.8 "Cutlass Ciera" though. I hope somebody with some decent info comes up with an answer on how to drop 2 inches...

88 Coupe · Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:01 am Post subject: Re: 2 inch drop

HOLMBERG wrote: the rear configuration? ........
Yes.

HOLMBERG wrote: ........ what do you mean by that? ........
How the rear suspension was designed, what parts were used, and how they are arranged.

HOLMBERG wrote: ........ are there different kinds of configuration? ........
Yes, yours is only one of many.

HOLMBERG wrote: ........ I hope somebody with some decent info comes up with an answer on how to drop 2 inches...
Decent info?

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2407 Location: Canada

I dropped my delta 88 a couple inches, and it worked out quite well. Not parking lot scraping low, but definately noticeable. I used monroe sensa-trac struts and modified OEM springs. I have a spare set of coils to swap back, if I ever decide to.

Have you ever changed your own struts before?

Erroneous Restrictionism! · Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Posts: 266

HOLMBERG wrote: the rear configuration...? what do you mean by that? are there differnt kinds of configuration? I've seen some airbag rides. They are bad a$$. Never in an 87 3.8 "Cutlass Ciera" though. I hope somebody with some decent info comes up with an answer on how to drop 2 inches...

Ok. You can get airbags here. [URL= www.airbagit.com]airbagit[/URL]
But there is alot of custom work involved for making brackets, to fit and function on these cars. Can become very pricey...between 2000-3000 dollars!

You cannot get lowering spring for the Ciera anymore, they were made by Eibach, go this site www.eibach.com
Too bad!!

As for cutting the springs..Yes it could be done but not recommended, only the front spring are able to be cut, the rear springs are a "pigs tail" style on these cars. These springs are specific to a FWD A-Body car. So cutting the rear springs would give you "a spring cut into 2 uesless peices".

There is also the option of spring clamps, very similar in look and function as an exhaust pipe clamp. Some auto parts stores carry them, most call them spring risers as well, cause they can be used to raise the ride height of a vehicle. The most drop in height you can acheive with these is 1.75 of an inch in the rear and 1.5 in the front. I currently have these on my Ciera.
I can notice the difference at a glance, performance difference is little compared to factory ride height and setup. This is more of an aesthetic look then anything.
These cars weren't made for slalom courses, they are built for cruising around from A to B and sometimes C if needed.

88 Coupe · Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 9:07 pm Post subject: Re: 2 inch drop

Erroneous Restrictionism! wrote: ........ As for cutting the springs..Yes it could be done but not recommended ........
It is done all the time with no problems. Why do you not recommend it?

Erroneous Restrictionism! wrote: ........ These springs are specific to a FWD A-Body car ........
Do you know that? Do you know there is not a Toyota spring that matches his needs?

Erroneous Restrictionism! wrote: ........ There is also the option of spring clamps ........ I currently have these on my Ciera ........
And none have broken yet? Embarrassing when one breaks in front of a group of car enthusiasts.

Any deterioration in your ride quality?

andrewk · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 1246 Location: Ames, IA

Quote: It is done all the time with no problems. Why do you not recommend it?

I would suppose it depends on the desired effect. The biggest effect that I see is that your spring rate is altered if it is a progressive rate spring. This leads to a diminished ride quality.

Is there a proper way to cut springs?

Regards,
Andrew

88 Coupe · Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 10:48 pm Post subject: Re: 2 inch drop

andrewk wrote: ........ The biggest effect that I see is that your spring rate is altered if it is a progressive rate spring ........
Is that bad? Are his springs variable rate?
Quote: ........ This leads to a diminished ride quality ........
Simple statement, considering the many variables involved.

Quote: ........ Is there a proper way to cut springs?
Only an improper way. It would involve excessive heat.

Norm

andrewk · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 1246 Location: Ames, IA

Quote: Is that bad? Are his springs variable rate?

I do not know if his springs are or not, but given "E.R.'s" description of the spring they are.

I guess it isnt bad, but I think the right way to lower a car, and maintain good all around performance is to keep at least the factory spring rate.

If the springs were cut it would soften the rate, and you would bottom out eaiser.

Am I missing something? If the spring was cut on the big end of the progression, it wouldnt soften the spring, correct?

I agree with the heat statement... Fastest way to ruin it is with heat.

Erroneous Restrictionism! · Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Posts: 266

88 Coupe wrote:
And none have broken yet? Embarrassing when one breaks in front of a group of car enthusiasts.

Any deterioration in your ride quality?

Have you used these clamps?...I installed them correctly by reading the "Installation Procedure" on the back of the package!
I dont drive my car hard enough to make them brake, it's irresponsible to do otherwise!
If one were to "Brake" while in front of this group of people I would be wondering what my car was doing while sitting still!

88 Coupe · Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 1:57 am Post subject: Re: 2 inch drop

andrewk wrote: ........ but given "E.R.'s" description of the spring they are ........
E. R. has not shown much, if any, credibility, although he was partially correct in his statement about cutting coils out of a double pigtail spring.

I must have missed it, when "progressive" coils were mentioned.

Quote: ........ I think the right way to lower a car, and maintain good all around performance is to keep at least the factory spring rate ........
I agree.

Quote: ........ If the springs were cut it would soften the rate ........
Would it?

Quote: ........ If the spring was cut on the big end of the progression, it wouldn't soften the spring, correct?
It wouldn't?

Norm

88 Coupe · Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 2:12 am Post subject: Re: 2 inch drop

Erroneous Restrictionism! wrote: ........ Have you used these clamps? ........
Yes.

Erroneous Restrictionism! wrote: ........ I dont drive my car hard enough to make them brake, it's irresponsible to do otherwise! ........
OK. The answer is, not yet.

You did not address your ride quality. I would think it would be a rough ride after removing 3 inches, or more, from your suspension travel.

Erroneous Restrictionism! wrote: ........ If one were to "Brake" while in front of this group of people I would be wondering what my car was doing while sitting still!
Dyslexia? I am thinking it is alcohol this time.

Erroneous Restrictionism! · Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Posts: 266

88 Coupe wrote:
You did not address your ride quality. I would think it would be a rough ride after removing 3 inches, or more, from your suspension travel.

If you have used them then that question was rhetorical!

88 Coupe wrote:
Erroneous Restrictionism! wrote: ........ If one were to "Brake" while in front of this group of people I would be wondering what my car was doing while sitting still!
Dyslexia? I am thinking it is alcohol this time.

What would alcohol have to do with my car sitting still?..as in not moving!
Read it again, read what's there, not what you want to read!