Monthly Archives: May 2014

Gruppe-S Dampers by TEIN

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We are proud to work with Dynamic Autosports on releasing a new suspension offering for the Honda S2000 market. Here is the new Gruppe-S dampers.

Gruppe-S Dampers 006 (Custom)

A take on the older TEIN Type RS dampers, the Gruppe-S does without the full-length adjustable damper bodies, like our Super Racing dampers, but still includes 2-way damping adjustment. Speaking of damping adjustment, Dynamic Autosports opted for TEIN’s Advance Needle design, which is slowly finding its way into the TEIN product line (currently being used on the Street Advance, Street Flex, and Mono Sport damper kits). This gives each click a much broader damping change within the same 16 click range most all of our damping adjustable coilovers have.

Monotube construction is built around lightweight steel damper bodies coated in our proprietary ZT coating, giving this set the ultimate in corrosion resistance. Newer spring seat, delrin thrust washer, and seat lock design in combination with the ZT coated threaded damper body offer smooth height adjustment.

Gruppe-S Dampers 003 (Custom)

Gruppe-S Dampers 004 (Custom)

Also included are pillowball upper mounts for front and rear with coaxial upper spring seats. The benefit of this setup is that the suspension will have full articulation throughout the full range of suspension stroke. As the suspension compresses, the angle at which the damper is positioned relative to the mounting point (shock tower and lower control arm) changes, due to the arc of the lower control arm. This takes out any uneven load on the spring, keeping it parallel to the damper body at all times. Also, the spherical ball joint in the mount produces consistent damper performance (no rubber isolators to cause damping hysteresis). In other words the damper is allowed to its job in controlling compression and rebound throughout the complete stroke length.

The Gruppe-S damper kit also includes helper springs. Main springs are sold separately, giving the end-user the option of choosing the spring rate that best suits their needs. Out of the box, the dampers have an ideal spring rate range of 12-14kg, but can also be used for 10kg or 16kg by simply adjusting damping force accordingly.. This makes it an ideal setup for a daily driver with occasional track duty, but still have plenty of flexibility for a full-blown track car. Of course, like all TEIN dampers, we can revalve the coilovers for spring rates beyond this range.

For more details, contact Dynamic Autosports by phone at 949-595-8000 or Gruppe-S at 949-457-1234.

Closed for Memorial Day (May 26th)

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To our valued readers and customers,

TEIN USA, Inc.’s operations will be closed on Monday, May 26th, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

Thank you for your understanding, and thank you to those who continue to serve this great country.

Have a safe Memorial Day weekend!

American (Custom)

2014 Honda Civic Coilover Caution

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Hello all,

We wanted to give warning to owners of 2014 Honda Civic’s. Not too long ago, we conducted some more testing on the late model Civic, only to find that coilover fitment is not the same. This is due to a difference in knuckle/hub design from the 2012-2013 over the 2014 models.

Current Civic body style for 2014:

2014 Civic Si

 

Here is the Front Strut from the 2012-2013 Honda Civic:

Civic 12-13 Knuckle

 

Here is the picure of the 2014 Honda Civic Front Strut:

Civic 14 Knuckle

As you can see, the bolt holes have a different alignment. That means that an attempt to install any of the GSHC0- coilovers will not be able get the correct camber angle, among other issues.

Because of the differences, our current line of coilovers, the following list of part numbers will be listed as 2012-2013 Honda Civic only.

-GSHC0-1UAS2 (STREET BASIS DAMPER KIT, FB6/FG4

-GSHC0-2UAS2 (STREET ADVANCE DAMPER KIT, FB6/FG4)

-GSHC0-5UAS1 (STREET FLEX DAMPER KIT, FB6/FG4)

Please keep posted with us for updates on 2014 Honda Civic coilover development!

 

 

Specialized Brackets

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As you may have seen through our blog before, we offer a Specialized Damper Program. This allows a customer to create a one-off suspension kit made to their specifications. A great option for those customer who can’t find a readily available suspension kit for their vehicle, whether it be because it is an uncommon vehicle or it is a vintage vehicle that no longer has aftermarket support. It is a unique offering that gives the customer endless tuning possibilities, and all made with TEIN quality!

We’ve also been able to do custom lowering springs through this program. We know, that sounds a bit confusing because “Specialized Damper” implies that we can make the dampers only. We’ll work on that name. We do like using the term “SPD” if that helps! Nevertheless, we are able to create anything a customer is looking for, short of custom torsion and leaf springs.
What we never really brush up on is our ability to create individual components. Just recently, we had some lower knuckle brackets made for a Scion FR-S which was already using our Mono Flex coilovers. The person wanted some more ride height adjustment, as the knuckle bracket was already maxed at it’s highest setting (lowest ride height). But, he also wanted some camber adjustment from the bracket, a feature included on our Super Racing coilovers for MacPherson Strut type suspension. For those applications we include a new upper knuckle bolt with off set washers to allow a few degrees of camber adjustment. Not exactly a cheap option because of the components needed, but definitely possible to create.

 

SPD Brackets 008 (Custom)

Since this is a custom order, it still  takes some time for TEIN Japan’s SPD (Specialized Damper) section to create the components. However, if it is a time-sensitive job, please contact us for quotation and we’ll see what we can do!

SPD Brackets 005 (Custom)

The nicest thing about this type of service isn’t that you can create your own custom pieces, but we build them to match your current suspension. As you may be able to see, our Mono Flex dampers use a different shade of green than our Street Basis, Street Advance, and Street Flex suspension. We can do custom colors by request, too. However, that does cost extra. But, who doesn’t like green?!

Anyway, please give us a call if you have any requests for custom damper components. We’re here to help!

Thank you, Heeltoe Automotive!!!

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We would like to thank Heeltoe Automotive for their Blog Post on our TEIN Street  Basis and Street Advance.

streetbasis_001

I had a bit of free time at home and was looking over a few of our dealers websites and see what new and interesting things they have or have to say. I saw this blog post on TEIN product and gave me an idea on about a blog post lol.

If you ever wanted to see in other peoples words about the difference in the TEIN Basic(discontinued) and the new Street Basis and as well as Super Street (discontinued) and Street Advance then I would highly recommend this post. It also show a great deal of the knowledge that Heeltoe Automotive with our product. Thank you, Marcus and David for assisting your customers with the best knowledge possible about our product and service.

Purchasing products through our TEIN Authorized Dealers not only guarantees that you are purchasing authentic TEIN product but you also will have a guarantee that you will have a very knowledgeable  person to assist you with any questions you may have.

streetbasis_004

A Slight Change in Fortunes

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Our favorite competitors in the Rally America series, the Scion Racing Rally xD team, put in a great effort this past weekend at the Oregon Trail Rally. Gearbox gremlins prevented from giving the xD a full-fledged attack, and driver Matthew Johnson did his best to baby the car through the stages. The onset of this eventually trickled down to engine problems, followed by a retirement from the race.

xd OTR1 (Custom)

Ford-backed driver Andrew Comrie-Picard was able to nab a 2nd place finish, allowing him to pull away as championship points leader for the 2wd class as of this event, for the time being.

I don’t think that is much to worry about. We’ll see the Rally xD team back in proper form for the next event, STPR Rally in Wellsboro, PA on May 30-31.

xd OTR2 (Custom)

Please lend your cheers to this hard working crew as they do their best to bring home their first ever championship this season!

xd OTR3 (Custom)

Links:

Rally America

Scion Racing Rally xD

 Scion Racing

DISCONTINUED BUT STILL AVAILABLE?

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Can TEIN reproduce a spring or coilover kit that has been discontinued for a while now? This answer is YES!!!
Consumers still contact us in search of a product we had offered a few years back which ends up being discontinued
and no longer available. Before we could only point the consumer towards dealers which may possibly have some product still available or another manufacturer. However, the option to have this type of kit reproduced is now available.

Starting price to have a set of lowering springs reproduced is $560.00. For a coilover reproduction, a
general price increase of around 30% to the original MSRP price would apply and would be for any previously
manufactured coilover. Please take note that at times the newer model coilover design may be recommended in
place of the kit inquired, as it may be cost-friendly, and/or some internal components are a better design on the
newer design kits. In some cases some older components are no longer available, so we may need to incorporate newer components in place of them, and that may mean a slight redesign. This is not to say that the original kit can not be reproduced, it may just be a little more expensive especially if there any design changes necessary. Of course these reproduction kits are Special Order from Japan and would have a standard time frame of 2 to 3 months to arrive to the U.S.

 

1995-HondaOdysseyAd01

1993_lexus_gs_300_4_dr_std_sedan-pic-5141740651926997878

 

This reproduction option will definetely come in handy for those older 94-96 Honda Odyssey, and 93-97 Lexus GS300, and 99-04 Mazda Protege drivers that can not get ahold discontinued TEIN products.