Tag Archives: Flex

TEIN’S Black Box

Posted on by

In previous blogs we have discussed the difference between the old and new EDFC unit and motors, how to install the EDFC, how to read the error codes on the EDFC and featured vehicles with the EDFC installed.  However we have not discussed what this little black box does.

The EDFC, which stands for Electronic Damping Force Controller, controls the stiffness and softness of your suspension on the fly.  Whether you are on the track or on the street you can change your settings accordingly.  The unit has three presets for quick adjustments.  It has separate control buttons for front and rear adjustments, the ability to switch from 16 way adjustable to 32 way adjustable.  You can even change the brightness and volume of the control.  The EDFC DOES NOT lower or raise the vehicle.

If you have a Super Street (select applications), Super Street kit with Upper Pillow mounts, Flex, Mono Flex, Super Drift, Comfort Sport, Euro Damper and Super Racing Dampers the EDFC is compatible with your kit.

MSRP for Controller (EDK04-K4469)  $253.00

MSRP for Motor Kit (model depending on vehicle) $165.00

MSRP for Strut Kit (Recommended for vehicles with Strut type front only)  $33.00

EDFC Controller in Gordon Ting built Lexus ISF

Finding the right XMAS Present

Posted on by

With Christmas around the corner, finding the right present for that special someone (more than likely yourselves) is difficult.  Which damper kit should I go with?  Well I’m here to help.  There are many of you that just want to lower the car maybe an inch or two, increase the grip/ stability and maintain a good ride quality on surface streets and freeway.  Tein Basic Damper kit is the way to go.

Basic Damper Kit Starting MSRP $810.00

If you are looking for a damper kit suitable for street and the occasional track day then maybe the Super Streets are the way to go.  You will be able to adjust the height as well as the damping force (16-way front and rear).  You can also go with the Super Street with Pillowball Upper mounts (not available for all makes).  The pillowball upper mounts  will increase steering response, allow you to adjust camber (strut types) as well as make the kit EDFC compatible.

Super Street Damper Kit Starting MSRP $1080.00

Super Street With Pillowball Upper Mounts Starting MSRP $1390.00

Now if you want a more adjustment and tuning capability then the Flex Damper kit is what you are looking for.  It includes pillowball upper mounts (with camber adjustment for strut type), 16-way damping force adjustment, is EDFC compatible and most importantly is full length adjustable.  You can build your track car and still drive it on the streets without compromising the ride quality.

Flex Damper Kit Starting MSRP $1530.00

TEIN 370Z rolling on Flex

Happy Holidays!

For the love of the build

Posted on by

With the SEMA show soon approaching and a few late nights in the garage area I am reminded my of first real build. A 1993 Civic CX. Started as my daily driver with a B16 swap and ended as a fully built Honda Challenge ready H1 car. Pardon the picture quality.

Rollin on 14″ blacks was the way to go and check out those Euro clear lenses.

I had the normal street built Civic hatch for the late 90’s early 2000’s. B-series swapped EG, Champ white paint, gutted interior. After getting ticket after ticket I decided to build a track car. It would eliminate the number of tickets and allow myself to build something crazier. The process took years as my inexperience led me to replace parts with better parts many times as I learned more about each particular part.

Cleaning up the engine bay for new rattle can paint and very mild wire tuck.

GSR block with B16 head. Erick’s racing header, electric water pump and old school Iceman intake.

Starting to get really serious with a custom 8-point cage. Removed all the tar and glue I could find. Plus gutted the dash and removed almost everything to save weight, even the E-brake system (big mistake, so inconvenient not to have an E-brake).

Removing all the tar was a pain but it reduces weight and looks good.

Thinking that BIG HP and good suspension would make up for my novice level of driving skill I was always in search of new, better parts. Swapping to a new head with a better port&polish, new valves, springs, cams, etc… I did this many times as newer parts became available. (hint: power is not the most important factor but I think reliability is)

Check out the Haynes manual in the corner. I tried to do as much as possible by myself so that I could save money.

Final engine setup with oil cooler, coated header, Koyo rad, etc… Made 215WHP from a 1.8L with ITR pistons, Skunk2 Cams and Hondata.

Car was featured in Super Street magazine courtesy of Mr. Ricky (RikDaddy) Chu.

Starting to look like a proper race car – interior painted and graphics completed.

Car coming together with gutted dash back in, custom DEFI setup and some nice door covers.

Another angle of the interior. Got to have the EDFC for practice which allows for more track time and less time in the hot pits. Accusump system, Sparco bucket, roll cage padding, fire system and master kill switch, etc…

Finally got out to the track (Streets of Willow)  for some testing and fun. We did some product testing and comparisons as a TEIN engineer was on-hand. My FLEX coilovers worked great with some stiffer springs and adjustment.

Fun time at the track. No timing, just lapping for fun.

Me behind the wheel.

My car would never enter a wheel-to-wheel Honda Challenge race but it did go to Time Attack (now called Super Lap Battle).

Time Attack at ButtonWillow raceway. Driver is Mr. Dennis Caco of AutoCanon (creator of MaxBoost which was a cartoon in Import Tuner magazine for those youngsters who might not know).

I sold the car after learning that having a quick street car is more fun than a full blown race car. Race cars are just too complicated with towing, spares and the limited amount of time you actually get to drive it (can’t just go for a weekend cruise or to a buddy’s house).

In the end I discovered that learning, researching parts and actually wrenching was what I loved most. Maybe someday I will build another track car.

New Applications have arrived

Posted on by

We recently received a container from Japan which had new product applications. Applications include Lancer, Ralliart, Mustang, Cube, Genesis Coupe, Altima, G37, 370Z and more…

Now in stock and ready for shipment.

S.Tech  for 2009+ Nissan Cube.

Drop: Front -1.2”, Rear -1.1”

Spring Rates: Front 3.1kg, Rear 4.9kg

Part Number: SKK06-AUB00

MSRP: $300

FLEX for 2010+ Ford Mustang V6 & V8

Drop Range: Front -0.4” to 2.1”, Rear -1.1” to -2.3”

Spring Rates: Front 9kg, Rear 5.9kg

Part Number: DSF40-6UAS1

MSRP: $2070

BASIC for 2007-08 Infiniti G35 Sedan exc AWD

Drop Range: Front -0.3” to -2.8”, Rear -0.4” to -2.4”

Spring Rates: Front 9kg, Rear 8kg

Part Number: DSP92-LUAS2

MSRP: $1060

BASIC for 2008+ Infiniti G37 Coupe

Drop Range: Front -0.2” to -3.0”, Rear 0” to -2.2”

Spring Rates: Front 9kg, Rear 8kg

Part Number: DSP92-LUAS2

MSRP: $1060

BASIC for 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 4 & 6cyl

Drop Range: Front -0.2” to -3.0”, Rear 0” to -2.2”

Spring Rates: Front 9kg, Rear 8kg

Part Number: DSP92-LUAS2

MSRP: $1060

BASIC for 2009+ Nissan 370Z

Drop Range: Front 0.9” to -1.9”, Rear 1.2” to -1.3”

Spring Rates: Front 9kg, Rear 8kg

Part Number: DSP92-LUAS2

MSRP: $1060

BASIC for 2007+ Nissan Altima Sedan 3.5L

Drop Range: Front -1.1” to -2.1”, Rear -0.1” to -1.9”

Spring Rates: Front 6kg, Rear 8kg

Part Number: DSK10-LUAS2

MSRP: $1130

BASIC for 2008+ Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5L

Drop Range: Front -1.2” to -2.1”, Rear -0.8” to -2.8”

Spring Rates: Front 6kg, Rear 8kg

Part Number: DSK10-LUAS2

MSRP: $1130

FLEX for 2008+ Mitsubishi Lancer and Ralliart

Drop Range: Front -0.9” to -3.0”, Rear -0.2” to -1.9”

Spring Rates: Front 9kg, Rear 7kg

Part Number: DSE32-6USS4

MSRP: $1660

Contact your local TEIN Authorized Dealer for deals and discounts.

TEIN Coilover PRICE DROP

Posted on by

As of today, June 14th, TEIN USA has lowered the MSRP price on all* BASIC, Super Street, Super Street with Mounts and FLEX coilovers.  Price decrease is about 10% which relates to some significant savings. On some part numbers the price has changed by $290. Median price change is $160.

The product remains completely unchanged. This is simply a price drop. If you have been saving your money for a set of coilovers now is the time to buy TEIN.

Do not settle for inferior products. Many of the cheaper brands have come and gone over the past few years. Once they are gone there is zero product support/ service. TEIN has been producing coilovers for 25 years and we are growing. We test fit each application, coilovers are made in-house and we have two US locations for product service.

*Price decrease does not include special order JDM applications.

Made Specifically for TEIN USA

Posted on by

TEIN products are developed, tested and produced exclusively for the region in which they are sold. Not every region has different specifications but North America does.

Not every model (BASIC, SS, Super Drift, Super Racing, etc…) has a region specific setup. Product models like Comfort Sport or Super Racing serve niche markets and are therefore universal for the world. A competition car using semi-slicks is similar in the US and in Japan., therefore the same product is sold.

Both Cyber EVO and Evasive use Super Racing coilovers.

HOWEVER, models such as BASIC, SS, SS-P, FLEX and Mono FLEX which are more for street use are made specifically for TEIN USA (North America). Meaning a Mono Flex coilover for a 2008+ Subaru STI sold in the US is different than the kit sold in Japan. Features, materials, basic design, assembly, etc… are all the same but mainly spring rate, valving, and ride height range are different.

TEIN USA Kit:  GSS84-FUSS1

Spring Rates Ft: 10kg, Rr: 8kg

Recommended Ride Height Ft: -1.4″, Rr: -1.2″

TEIN Japan Kit:GSS78-F1SS1

Spring Rates Ft: 7kg, Rr: 5kg

Recommended Ride Height Ft: -0.8″, Rr: -0.6″

The specific differences may include spring rate/length, damping force, piston stroke, shell case length and brackets for brake lines, ABS, etc… Products are setup differently because the cars are NOT the same and more importantly the customers are not the same. Admittedly US consumers follow most trends from Japan especially when it comes to performance. However in Japan, the majority of consumers want more compliant suspension systems (softer setups) and do not want the car to be too low. Additional, vehicle ride height laws differ from country to country and in the US state to state.

You can see the difference in ride height between the US Civic Si with JDM body work and real JDM Civic Type R.

In general, TEIN USA setup products with stiffer spring rates and more drop in comparison to TEIN Japan. This is true for both coilovers and lowering springs. For TEIN USA our coilovers setup has changed over the years to keep in tune with the ever changing consumer demand. Our more recent kits have become a little softer than the products which were developed 6-7 years ago but that information is for another blog entry.

On a side note – if any US or Canadian customer wants a TEIN Japan spec. kit we can special order those upon request.

TEIN’s 2005 Ford Mustang GT

Posted on by

TEIN’s global involvement in producing aftermarket suspension goes well beyond the Japanese Domestic brands, such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, etc.  In 2003, we started developing suspensions for European and U.S. Domestic brands. Soon after, we started campaigning our line of suspensions for these markets and had demo cars, like the E46 BMW M3(on TEIN SS-P) and MkV GTI widebody(on TEIN Euro Damper). But, my favorite one to date would be the 2005 S197 Ford Mustang showcasing our TEIN Type Flex dampers.

Other than our Type Flex dampers as suspension modifications, some of my favorite modifications are ProCharger cetrifugal supercharger, custom 3″ exhaust by Fujitsubo, massive Wilwood 6 piston front and 2 piston rear big brake kit, a host of Defi Red Racer gauges, and the 19″x8.5″ front and 19″x9.5″ rear  Volk GTF’s. The list of modifications goes well beyond those and definitely contribute to a very unique car build for the TEIN group.

Below are a few pics

Mustang Interior w/ Defi Red Racer Gauges

Sparco seats, steering wheel and shift knob. Clarion DVD/ Navigation Double DIN, and of course DEFI Red Racer gauges.

Mustang Engine BayPolished Procharger kit along with polished piping. Exedy clutch and flywheel. 496WHP

Wilwood 6 piston BBK kit.

JBA Longtube headers feeding custom Fujitsubo exhaust. BMR Fabrication subframe and front control arms.

Mustang Underside RearTorsen Differential, more BMR suspension links and chassis bracing.