reshaped at a spring shop to sit correctly in the spring seats. A good spring shop can also retemper the steel after heating it. You should also use a "zap strap" or flexible piece of S/S wire and wire the spring ends onto the spring seats so when you jack the car up, the springs aren't dislodged off the seats. A lot of 02 folks swear cut springs are the way to go and there seams to be an equal no. against cutting. The spring rate will be proportionally increased according to the % you cut the springs. So you may end up with a 10% to 20% increase. At this point, you probably should go with at least some good heavy duty shocks, and maybe even 'sport' ones if you're into "spirited" driving.