Best way to do a lowering experiment?

[MetroMPG]

Can anyone think of a way to do an A-B (at minimum) lowering experiment on my car, where the runs could be immediately before/after?

I tried doing this...



...by jacking up one corner of the car until the opposite suspension was as compressed as possible, then wrapping cord around the spring (I managed to tie together 4 coils).

When the jack was removed, the cord held the spring about 1 inch lower than stock. It actually held for a week or so, then broke rebounding on some bump.

Is there any other easy & inexpensive way to go about this?

I also tried using muffler-style clamps on the spring itself, but they wouldn't stay in one spot (jangled over bumps)

[SVOboy]

I can't think of a way to do it really without some sort of adjustable coilover sleeve.

You could just get really good at swapping springs though.

[MetroMPG]

I know you're against it, but I'll probably just cut the stock spring if I do this. It's the Metro way.

BUT - the whole point is I'm don't want to do it without testing it first. Have cake, eat cake, etc.

[Matt Timion]

Big *** zip ties.

[kickflipjr]

I have head of people using giant zip ties.

[MetroMPG]

Awesome! Zip ties on the list !

MacGyver is alive and well.

[omgwtfbyobbq]

This stuff is strong. Although I'm not sure I would try to secure a spring with anything because if the material snaps and hits someone, that's an headache like none other. Maybe get a set of cut springs and become really adept at swapping them?

[MetroMPG]

I'd have to be pretty darned adept: it's got to be like a 5 minute job, or else the car cools, ambient continues to change, wind changes, etc. and it runs the risk of skewing the after-test.

[omgwtfbyobbq]

What about grabbing four of these and making sure you don't go over any bumps during your run? It'd be a large inital cash outlay, but you'll get all your money back, and I'd wager that if they can safetly compress a spring enough to take it apart, they'll safely compress it to a lesser degree where the car can be driven on a smooth road.

Edit- DIY coilovers?

[JanGeo]

You compress the spring too much and it can fall out of the retainers if the shock fully extends. You may be able to have the springs heat treated compressed and hardened again pretty cheep - my brother had some custom made quite a while ago.