Author Archives: Philip C.

Not your normal RSX

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Congratulations goes to Doug Macmillan of Hondata for setting 5 new class records at the 2010 Bonneville Speedweek. He and his wife broken 9 class records between their two cars.

This particular RSX is powered by a 1.5L K20, supercharger and plenty of nitrous. Doug’s record setting Acura sits on a set of customized N1 dampers. Usually used for road racing TEIN engineers revalved and resprung the dampers per Doug’s requests. The result is a car that Doug says, “The RSX has never handled so well. Perfectly straight and no drama.”

N1 dampers were chosen because they can obtain a very low ride height, Mono Tube construction is less prone to viscosity breakdown in extreme heat and because the construction is very light weight.

Go to Hondata’s website for a full recap HERE.

All images provided by Hondata.

Rally Japan Production Class WIN

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Rally Japan – Production Class (P-WRC)

Patrik Flodin won the P-WRC class in Rally Japan. The win puts him into first place in the P-WRC class championship.

Team URT (Uspensky Rally Tecnica from Russia) in blue with TEIN USA Managing Director, Fujimoto-San in green and TEIN R&D Manager, Goto-San in black fleece.

Flodin and Bergsten atop their winning STi.

Patrik had the lead since day 1 and never let up. TEIN Japan provided Flodin with a new spec. of Gr.N dampers which proved to work well on the bumpy stages. The 2008+ STi is known for not have much suspension travel in the rear so designing a good rally coilover has been a challenge.

The body of the rear damper actually sits behind the lower control arm NOT over the top of the arm.

Revalving dampers for competition

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Scott Tsuneishi, senior editor for Import Tuner magazine is here today. He is taking photos and collecting data as we revalve a set of Mono FLEX dampers for a street/track Honda S2000. This particular S2000 is being built to display at SEMA in the DC Sports booth and then compete in the 2010 Super Lap Battle Finals at Buttonwillow Raceway on Nov. 10th.

Scott taking pics of R&D Assistant Jon who is hard at work

This vehicle build features C-West body kit, i-VTEC upgrade from Design Craft, DC sports exhaust and a plethora of other high quality parts. Evasive Motorsports is helping with aero and tuning so you know this car will be quick around the 2.6 mile course. Target time is 1:57 on street tires.

Jon performing the actual revalving

R&D Manager Mr Takizawa reviewing the damping force graphs for the newly revalved shocks

We will be doing our part to make sure the suspension is competitive at the track and comfortable enough for daily driving.

Check out future issues of Import Tuner magazine for the complete story and to see how this project S2000 does at the track.

Targa Trophy San Francisco

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Got back late last night from the Targa Trophy Bay Area Rally Fest. It was a fun event around the San Francisco and San Jose area. Targa Trophy is a road rally where competitors are given and specific route and timed. The overall winner is the team with the most points. Points are deducted for too little mileage, too much mileage, too slow of a time and too quick of a time. The rally is not about who has the most HP or who is the craziest driver. Mileage and timing has to be on point, meaning no getting lost or detours and no ridiculously dangerous speeds.

Rally started at the W Hotel in San Francisco and we soon found ourselves driving through the woods.

Cruising behind a short train of cars including a Lamborghini Murcielago just in front of us.

Morning stage ended at the W in Silicon Vally which had a Euro car show and BBQ.

Parked at the W Silicon Vally. Fellow competitors parked next to us including C63, Gallardo and Audi wagon.

Final stage ended back at the W Hotel in SF with dinner and an awards ceremony.

Our 4 man team navigated the roads perfectly but we ended up in the middle of the pack due to some unscheduled stops.

Here are a few pics from the route which included the most beautiful scenery and some of the most challenging touge roads. Tight lanes, no guard rails, blind corners and V8 powered fun.

Non-scheduled stop at the top of one of the many canyon roads. There was cattle grazing 5 ft from this flat black E55.

One more of the unscheduled stops. I think this was to change drivers.

Pick up Import Tuner magazine to see more images and a complete story of the event.

Special thanks to Carter Jung and Edward Lee for the photos.

TEIN Online Specials

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If you did not already know. The TEIN USA homepage has an Online Retail Shop where replacement parts, goods and specific products can be purchased.

It was recently updated with a host of coilover kits, single replacement dampers and Fujitusbo Titanium exhausts. Check it out, it could save you some money. Look in the “Special Offer” category of the Online Shop.

SAVE $350-400

Average savings on selected coilover kits is $350-400. All kits are brand new in the box.

Applications include: Audi, BMW, Ford, Lexus, VW and more…

SAVE $1000

Average savings on a full Titanium exhaust $1000.

Applications include: S2000, EVO 9, STi, Supra

Not our Normal product applications

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Many people associate TEIN with Japanese Imported cars but we have some product applications that might surprise you.

Porsche 996 N1 kit.

Porsche 996 GT3

Japan Super Endurance Race 996 GT3

TEIN N1 for 996. 2-way 20 position damping force adjustment, full length adjustment.

TEIN 4×4 Damper for Toyota FJ Cruiser

Toyota FJ Cruiser in Dubai

4×4 Damper kit. 2-way 16 position damping force adjustment, ride height adjustment.

Specialized Damper Kia Forte N1 (custom made)

China Touring Car Championship Kia Forte


Specialized Damper Kia Forte Rear Dampers. 2-way 20 position adjustment, ride height adjustment.

New Applications have arrived

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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.

Ongoing Projects

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Looking in the R&D section today there are quite a few cars.

TEIN Mustang – sitting up on the lift awaiting repairs to the motor. I guess making nearly 500WHP took its toll on the motor.

0-60 magazine Rally Scion xD – down below awaiting completion of repairs after Rally Maine. The huge rocks caused a lot of damage on the underside of the car including a dented oil pan, heavily damaged belly pans and damaged one rear shock.

EVO 9 – finishing up installation of new DEFI gauges and Devil’s Own Alcohol Injection system.

WrapTivo/ Import Tuner magazine Honda CR-Z – arrived this morning. RJ De Vera’s latest project vehicle for SEMA. We will be test fitting lowering springs and Super Street coilovers. Look for a future post with more information.

TEIN/ Import Tuner magazine Lexus ISF – sitting outside awaiting pickup. Finished giving the car an inspection before Import Tuner chief editor, Carter Jung, takes it up to Nor Cal for Targa Trophy. Should be fun with over 500WHP when on the bottle.