Monthly Archives: November 2012

Introducing The New TEIN EDFC ACTIVE!

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If you follow us on Facebook, you’ll know that we’ve posted a few hints toward some new product. This past year, TEIN Japan has been hard at work at developing a new EDFC (Electronic Damping Force Controller).

If you asked me earlier in the year as to what kind of features will make the current EDFC even better, I’d probably tell you that I don’t see how it can get any better- we already receive great feedback on this item, and most end-users find the current features to fit their needs very well. Shows what I know! The TEIN engineers have outdid themselves once again!

The new EDFC Active is the result of several concerns our engineers felt needed to be addressed. The “Active” part of the system is what makes this so unique.

Imagine having a suspension that is adaptable to your driving conditions, whether it is based on speed(rate of travel), or by g-force. That’s what this new product has to offer.

Using a supplied g-force sensor, this new EDFC Active can make real-time adjustments for vehicle pitch under acceleration and braking. It allows the end-user to adjust/set damping to a predetermined click setting for every 0.2g increment. What this translates to is a direct change in damping force (to your preset) based on the amount of g forces you are pulling under acceleration and deceleration.

Here’s an example using 32-way adjustment for click setting at different g loads

In the G Linear mode, you are able to make a much more seamless damping force change as g loading increases or decreases

Combine the available GPS sensor, and you can have automatic (again, to your desired presetting) based on the vehicle’s rate of speed. For example, if you want to run damping much softer for street driving (ex. 25 miles per hour), that is completely possible. Then, if  you want increased damping force for highway speeds (ex. 65 mph), you can also have that saved. In fact, you can have up to 10 preset speed/click settings saved.

With the GPS sensor, you can use S-Arrange mode to set damper click setting to your predetermined speed (vehicle rate of travel)

Or you can use the S-Linear function to make the click setting transition much more smoother as vehicle speed increases or decreases.
Just like the G-Linear mode, this translates into damping control fine setting for smaller incremental changes in vehicle g loading, instead of the much more direct change of G-Arrange mode.

There’s the obvious benefit of combining both the included g-sensor with the optional GPS sensor- since both speed (rate of travel) and g force are not directly related, your car is now completely adaptable to the driving conditions it faces. Imagine having to panic brake at highway speed (and that you have a preset speed/click setting), the car will now react to the rate of speed it is already traveling, and now factor in the amount of braking force you’ve applied. The EDFC will now compound the two settings (one for speed and one for g force).

ALSO, with the new EDFC Active, you still have the ability to change from the 16 click setting to 32 click setting (finer setting). But now you have an available 64 click setting (extremely fine setting), making for a much more seamless feel in damping change.

All EDFC’s are calibrated to have 16-way damping adjustment, just as if you did this manually with the click knob. EDFC always had the 32-way fine setting adjustment as an extra feature. Now there’s an available 64-way setting for even finer, seamless damping change!

That’s just a little insight as to what new products we’re working on. We’ll do a follow-up installment with more details on the new EDFC Active, and the other many features that it has.

TEIN USA, Inc. will have this new EDFC Active available in the beginning of 2013. So stay posted with us for more updates as they become available!

 

Learning the OVERHAUL repair process

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When it comes to overhauls I’m usually the person in charge of carrying out all the steps. Except for one which is the most important of them all , the actual repair. The way it works is as followed- We receive the package and check it in then we move it to our R&D department for a repair inspection. Upon the inspection I contact the customer and secure the repair payment and/or  final overhaul decision. Upon completion of repair a recontact the customer to verify shipping information and that’s where it ends.

 

The disassembling of our dampers is not that difficult. Breaking down the piston rod and internal components, then cleaning them from dirt, dust, rust, and debris  is also not that difficult. It does, however, get a little repetitive. Now, where it gets tricky is reassembling the internal components.  As some of the parts (shims) tend to look the same but are nevertheless different in design and thickness. There are many steps that need to be done to successfully overhaul a damper. I will save the details as they are confidential but I must say that re-greasing, and re-torquing all the components is the easiest step of all.

 

 

Well, now I have actually learned the repair process. Unfortunately for us here at TEIN one of our R&D staff members has left us to work as a CHP officer. Fortunately for me, I have now learned a new skill and got my hands on repair action. We’ll still leave that work for our trained engineers. As for me, I’m glad I’ve been able to learn more of the details that goes into an overhaul.

 

 

TEIN USA, Inc. Closed for Thanksgiving

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To all of our valued customers and readers,

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, TEIN USA, Inc. will be close on November 22nd and 23rd, and we will resume operations on Monday, November 26th.

We wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday with family and friends!

 

TEIN WATCH ANYONE?

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‘Sup guys!  As most of you know we have had  a few new items added to our stock this year. Starting with the new TEIN T-shirts, air fresheners, tire valve caps,  and now our all new TEIN Sport Watch. The watch was designed for a sporty look and to be fashionable for everyday use. As you can, see the watch has our very own TEIN Emerald green on the dial which makes it stand out from a distance. These watches will go fast, so place your orders soon  with your nearest authorized dealer!

The watch features:

-Water resistance up to 30 meters

-Adjustable bezel

-Modern band for comfortable feel

2012 SEMA Show

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I had a chance to attend this years SEMA Show in Las Vegas at the Convention Center. The last time I had attend SEMA was in 2008. This year’s booth wasn’t as big as the booth from 2008, but worked out well for Paul and I since we were the only two manning the booth.  Overall the booth traffic was pretty good, but not as busy as expected. The smaller crowds may have also been due to Hurricane Sandy affecting most of the eastern seaboard cancelling many flights out and wreaking havoc. Our hearts go out to all those effected by the disaster.

This year’s must-have import display car was none other than the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. Not saying that the car isn’t sweet looking,  just too many at the show- over 70 examples from my understanding.  I didn’t really get a chance to walk through the show and check out more of the displays since there were only two of us at the booth, which made it rather difficult for either of us to really walk around. We were able to get few quick snap shots of our hall at break time. Even with the breaks, it still wouldn’t be enough time for us really go through the hall since it’s so massive, and this is only considering the hall we were in and not the others, as well as those on display outside.

Below are some of the pictures we were able to take, but for more of those photos check out our Facebook page’s Photo Album named “The 2012 SEMA Show”  https://www.facebook.com/teinusa

 

 

Many thanks to all those who stopped by our booth this year. Your interest and support in TEIN is greatly appreciated!

Super Lap Battle 2012 at Buttonwillow Raceway

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Yesterday was the final Super Lap Battle (in conjunction with Global Time Attack) for the year. Taking place at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, CA., it has proven to become one of the most anticipated events on this side of the U.S.A.

We were in attendance assisting any of the driver’s on TEIN suspension. For us, it was a narrow group- Evasive Motorsports with their S2000 (using our Super Racing dampers), Sportcar Motion with their Integra Type R (also on Super Racing dampers) as well as an FA5 Civic and Canadian Acura CSX both using our Mono Flex dampers. Another entry we came across was Bobby Lane Racing in their Accord (their Mono Flex damper setup is from a CL7 Honda Accord Euro R).

We arrived really early (7:30a) to meet with the teams and see if they needed any assistance from us. As experienced as these teams are in setting up their cars, there was very little for us to do except take some setting measurements and click settings the teams are using for reference.

TEIN Engineer, Shuichiro, getting data from the Sportcar Motion team.

Working with the Evasive crew and their driver, Robert Walker, to get their car dialed in.

We stumbled upon the Bobby Lane Racing team and their Accord using our Mono Flex dampers.

With each practice session having at least one TEIN-equipped car, we kept close to the hot pits. Our engineer, Shuichiro made sure to get as much feedback from the driver to see if any adjustments needed to be made. Again, maybe only a few click setting changes were done to the suspension, while some of the teams adjusted tire pressures. Lucky for us, Evasive Motorsports uses EDFC for their S2000’s Super Racing dampers. I’m sure our engineer appreciated that! Rather than having to lie down on the ground or get under the hood or rear trunk to make any damping click setting changes manually, the driver can make real-time adjustments to the dampers and stay out on the track.

Robert Walker pulling into the hot pits with the Evasive team standing by.

The morning sessions gave some of the best lap times. In Sportcar Motion’s case, their Integra Type R laid down a 1:54.2 lap time on the #13 track configuration that has become the standard for this event. That was a really good pace, and it looked like the car could even do better than that. Driver, Dr. Tim Kuo, was in pursuit mode the whole time, having very little issue with the Limited FWD class car. A broken 4th gear prevented any chance of getting in a faster time, but their time held as fastest of the day in their class.

Sportcar Motion’s red FA5 Civic Si piloted by Ken Suen was also on pace to beat their personal best. Mechanical issues brought the car in and prevented any futher timed sessions out on the track. Final time was 2:04.3 which netted a second place finish in Street FWD.

The Acura CSX also under Sport Car Motion’s stable clocked in a 2:03.

The Sportcar Motion trio all on TEIN dampers.

As for Bobby Lane Racing, they were hoping to best their 2:05, and in the end a 2:02.2 for the Limited FWD class. It was a great event for this small team!

That’s a familiar face! Dampachi along for the ride with Bobby Lane Racing.

Evasive Motorsports’ revamped Honda S2000 (newly boosted with the HKS GTSupercharger) went all out. New record for the Street RWD class now sits at 1:53.9 thanks to the newfound power. This car has 7 years of development into it, which has paid big dividends for all that hardwork. We’ll be working with them closely to help and develop the car for even faster times. Until then, a 1:53 lap will be the new mark for teams to achieve.

Evasive’s S2000 into the hot pits for some driver feedback.

Bobby Lane Racing Accord into the hot pits to discuss any changes in handling.

The Integra Type R from SportcarMotion was relatively trouble-free, making our engineer’s job a bit easier!

All in all, it was a good event with very little in the way of mishaps on the track. As the day temperatures got higher and as more cars went out for timed sessions, it proved to be harder for the teams to try and get faster times. It was great to see many of the teams socializing amongst themselves. I found it hard to differentiate whether these people were competitors or best of friends. We were thankful for the hospitality of each team. Bobby Lane Racing was nice enough to provide the TEIN staff with lunch- they came with their own grill to make burgers and hot dogs! Thanks, guys!

We look forward to next year. If the saying “Records are made to be broken” holds true, we may very well be seeing these guys best their current times.

Bobby Lane Racing’s owner and driver with TEIN Staff.

Evasive Motorsports crew with both of their race cars.

Congratulations to each of these teams for all their hard work and efforts. We’re glad we can be a part of it!