I am absolutly stuffed to figure out why you would A. cut springs or B. heat them so they sag !!!!!!!!!!!!!! some guys have given good advise here don't do it !!!!!!!! if you can't afford to buy them to the hight you want then save your dough ! I work for the RTA and I have seen so many stuffed suspension components not to mention cracked rails from stuffing about with springs oh and yes it is highly illegal and painting them won't help you hide your handy work all this has been tried before sure you may get away with it but prang your car and you may not get insurance hurt someone and you may end up in court and left with a big bill have something break and kill someone how could you live with it. Sorry for being a grump but please please do it properly huh