O.K. 73shark,......
I concede to the stiffer ride. After doing about 3 hours of search last night, everything points that way. If you use heat, heat the bottom of the coil so that the first wrap is what collapses. As far as my experience cutting coils for the track, all I can say is that it seemed to be mushier. Can't really explain why.
There are aftermarket coil overs that will allow adjustment.
QA1 is one provider I was told about, but I can't find their web site. I'll keep looking for companies that supply the coil overs. It takes a lot of digging to come up with the systems. So,....I'll dig some more.

 

Dave,

I just got the bolts from ecklers, they sent me two pairs, not sure if they're right doing so. Do I need 2 or 4 bolts?

 

Jeff,

It's only two bolts, one for each end, where they atach the end of the spring to the trailing arms. How about a spacer bushing? Have ya got a handle on those?

 

I'm not sure either why cutting a coil would have any effect on the perceived spring rate. Doesn't seem logical to me that it would. I agree that the first and last coil should be close to flat to ensure proper seating in the spring pockets.

Here's some coilovers: https://cmc.speeddirect.com/amazing/items.asp?CartId={DDEVEREST8994D5-3095-4C4C-AC8C-03C5F6167687}&Cc=SHARK_BITE&CatMoveby=0&am p;Nbm=&Pbm=&FromNav=

Interesting video of rear coilovers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4cbtJwFThU

May be a while for the rears: http://www.speeddirect.com/index.aspx?nodeID=132

 

Great, now I have to pay for a refund. I bought the complete bolt setup with the cups and bushings for $39.

 

Shark,
If you get on the "Layitlow" lowrider website, you'll find afew guys who are real engineers when it comes to suspension (avoid the young idiots) and they can tell you everything and anything about coil springs. So many of those guys are great fabricators and are intoso much more than just "lowriders per say." Check it out if you think it's worth it.

 

Here's a company that will handle your coil spring needs: http://www.coilsprings.com/index.html

Just saw it in the latest issue of Corvette Magazine. (page 97) Says '53-'81 Corvettes

 

Hey, that's pretty cool. Thanks for posting it. [sm=icon_rock.gif]

 

When I bought my coils from mid america it said in the cataloge that they weould drop the front ernd one inch. Dont know for sure yet since there still in the box. Will know soon since Ijust finished doing the rear end.

 

Def let us know of your results.