well i just picked up an '82 civic 1300 yesterday.

im wanting to lower it but dont want to invest in any aftermarket lowering springs for now. just wanting to lower it enough to get rid of the wheel gap...maybe 2"
i dont really want to cut the stock springs. talked to another fellow 2nd gen owner and he said try heating up the spring to lower it. he's been doing this for 20 years now and on 15+ cars and never gave him any problems. just wanting other people's input before i try this.
thanks.

 

I recently had the same thing done to the rear springs on my wagon. It does lower the car of course. It dropped mine about 3 inches in the rear. However, it does weaken the spring a bit. So, railroad tracks and pot holes are pretty rough now. It rides just fine in decent roads though. You only notice problems on bumps. But my wagon was pretty rough on bumps before I had the springs heated. Honestly, its not THAT much worse. Was it worth the negative side: Heck yes! Lowered car on the cheap. Oh, and I don't bobble up and down around town like folks who cut their springs. So, don't worry about looking 1999-ish if you do this.

Good luck!

 

alright thanks for the info.

also, anyone have a DIY write-up for this process?

 

i would say dont do it... that would completely mess up the spring rates, and potentially weaken the springs

 

yeah, im stiff iffy about do it...i already know its gonna weaken the springs.
but like i said, im only looking for about a 2" drop...just enough to get rid of the wheel gap.

anyone have anymore input?

 

Thats a real bad idea!

 

Don't do it. Heating the springs will weaken them and they brake. Friend did it. Not worth it.

 

alright well heating the springs is not a good idea...think im gonna hold of on that then.

 

Please don't do it, it will make your car ride like ****. When my 2000 Si was stolen, the thieves torched the springs to lower it. It changed all the spring rates at random and unevenly, which made the ride and handling just awful.

 

Its not the best way to go but it can be done. When you heat the spring be sure you only heat the very bottom coil. Start as low as you can and work your way up the coil. DON'T heat the spring in the center coils. If you want a 2" drop then only heat the spring until the car comes down about 1". Then drive it for a day and let the springs settle. If you don't mess with the center coils the ride should stay pretty good.