DO NOT CHOP SPRINGS.

This can cause a spring to basically escape from the cup, usually the bottom one, almost any time. If this should happen, the sharp end will inevitably find it's way to the inner tyre wall, rupturing the tyre ( in a blowout type scenario if you're driving at say 70 mph )
If you crash, and your springs are found to have been butchered, I'd say the first net result is that your insurance company will tell you to do one.
The second is that plod will try to do you with driving an 'unroadworthy' vehicle.

Your choice...