I got some springs that seem to have had a rally history, so my GLT standard ride height 360 turbo is 2" higher at the front than the back.

Are there any simple rules for working out how much to cut? or is this a bad idea?

No simple rules but if you are going to cut the springs go half coil at a time. The turbo lump should drop the front so they must be stiffer or the rear springs have sagged

These are the 50% stiffer springs you sold me. I was hoping if I started with cutting out the number of coils that represent 2" when compressed then it would need a bit more because the spring will be stiffer.

Are there any issues with cutting springs for normal ride height?

I didn't realise Volvo were in to 4x4s back in the 80's haha.

I wouldn't cut springs at all, even if you cut them the exact same amount they will have different lb ratings and react differently. You could get some new standard springs somewhere surely?

Also the turbo engine is only about 30kg more so it won't make the front end drop drastically, definitely not enough to bring those springs down to standard height.

30 kg, that's a bag of sand, gents, so the Skoda trick won't help either {^¿^}

Is the engine and all the bits fitted in that photo?

Yes, pretty much fully loaded, car drives, no back window or passenger seat yet. Added an extra wheel in the boot to compensate for the back window and low fuel level.

Just double checked the rear springs are GLT spec, part number matches up with vida BOM (as best I can read it in situ). Seems very similar rear height to the GLE originals.More worried the back is light.

Rear: 62cm
Front: 69cm
arch to ground, old worn tyres

I'm thinking of some blocks of wood under the car with the springs and dropping the car onto them to gauge the drop. a 2" drop is about 2 coils length in the spring currently.

I cant remeber the spring spec tbh but GLTs are lower than the other models. I would take one coil at a time out or possibly half a caoil ofter taking the first one

I took 2 coils off my standard 360 springs which gave me about 2" drop.