To Whet Your Appetite

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Lately there has been a lot of buzz, hoots, hollers, tweets, status updates, tumblr post, you name it, regarding the soon to be FR-S and BRZ.

We’ve recently updated that Tein Japan has some products for those cars now available.

And now to stimulate your already insatiable hunger for more things FR-S/BRZ we announce that testing has commenced stateside, and probably by the time you read this we will have finished with the preliminary testing.

We were able to test Flex Dampers and some S.Tech and High Tech springs this time around.


Stay tuned for some more information regarding the ride height drop with the products we tested this time around.
Also Tein Japan plans to release some Mono Tube Dampers as well, which we will soon be testing.
A lot of exciting things are happening.

 

Monster Falken 2012 Mustang

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Working here at TEIN USA, I’m usually getting picked on because I would rather drive American muscle vs. a Japanese import. Now don’t get me wrong, Japanese import vehicles are reliable cars that can be tuned to perfection. But I’m more of a supercharged, convertible Roush Mustang with a Dual Flowmaster exhaust system type of guy. The 2012 Monster energy/ Falken Tire sponsored Mustang is a very good example of what I’m talking about. It has a roaring 800 horsepower 6.7-liter V8 engine. It also sports a set of Azenis RT615K tires and HRE Wheels Competition Series C21. I bet you guys are wondering, “OK, it’s a beast of a car, but what does it have to do with TEIN”, right? Well of course I wouldn’t be blogging about this beauty just because of its performance tuning and RTR body kit if it did not sport our TEIN 2-way adjustable coil overs with dual EDFC custom made to maneuver this pony 🙂

 

 

Overhaul Pricing

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Now, I know we list an overhaul starting price on our website. However, we do know that some customers are a little confused when we give them a quote higher than what they may find listed. I’m hoping to clarify on this matter a little bit.

On our Service page on www.tein.com, you will find a link to our Overhaul Price List. You can find a list just like the above image which is the starting price for our overhaul service, as well as revalve service (if you plan on having the dampers matched to a specific spring rate). Again, this is just the starting price for the work covering new seals, damper fluid, nitrogen gas fill, and labor.

However when we receive your dampers, we have our in-house engineer inspect the dampers to assess any damage or potential damage from the original parts. As you can imagine, there are a lot of moving components that comprise the complete damper. In some cases, we can reuse many internal parts. But in the event that an engineer finds a part to be under specification, we will suggest to replace those items. If you’ve ever received a quote much higher than the starting price, it is because of these findings.

This picture shows what type of internal parts may need to be replaced for twin-tube type dampers (Basic, Super Street, Flex, Super Drift).

This list above is for mono tube damper-specific parts.

In all cases, our staff will go over the details with the customer to let them know what will possibly need to be replaced on the damper part by part. Again, we know that for some customers a high quote is not what they are expecting. We just take these extra steps before starting any work to make sure that the customer has an overhaul that is worthwhile and that will last just as long as an out-of-the-box kit.

*For the record, we’ve taken a customer’s request to reuse some of his old parts (a damaged piston shaft was one of them) when overhauling to save on some costs. The kit came back to us not too long after because the nitrogen charge ended up leaking out past the new seals.

So we will do whatever the customer requests, within reason. But believe me- we do so hesitantly.

We do, however, leave some new internal parts as only a recommendation to replace. But in many instances, it is probably best to take the engineer’s word when they suggest part replacement.

Of course, if you need some explanation or any assistance with your dampers you’re thinking of having serviced by us, please feel free to give our staff a call at 562-861-9161, and we will take the time to go over the service in detail for you.

Toyota FT-86 aka Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ

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TEIN Japan has been hard at work testing and developing the following items for the Toyota FT-86 aka the Scion FR-S, which will share a similar suspension platform as the Subaru BRZ, since both companies had full development with the vehicle.

Currently TEIN Japan will not be offering any S-Tech lowering springs due to the reason below.

**For vehicles manufactured on or after January 1st, 2006 in JAPAN, if the lower edge of the fog light is less than 250mm from the ground when lowered, it may not comply with Japan’s vehicle safety regulations.
Please adjust the ride height to secure the minimum 250mm clearance. For details on inspection standards, please contact the nearest National Agency of Vehicle Inspection.**
 
Of course we have regulations here in the States as well, but they vary from state to state. Please look up the regulations in your state before lowering your vehicle.
 
We will be developing the S-Tech lowering springs for the U.S. models but will begin testing on the vehicles in June. We will also develop the  Street Advance coil-over specific to the U.S. market as the kit offered in Japan will not give much of a ride height adjustment range due to the aforementioned reason.
 
 
If you would like to purchase a suspension kit from Japan as a Special Order for the Scion FR-S or the Subaru BRZ for the U.S. market,  we recommend going with either the Flex, Mono Flex, or Super Racing coil-over kits as these coil-overs are full length adjustable and will be able to lower the ride height without affecting spring preload.
 
 
Please visit the following links for an online catalog of the products offered for the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota FT-86 in Japan.
 
Toyota FT-86 http://issuu.com/teinglobal-fanclub/docs/86_leaflet
 
Subaru BRZ http://issuu.com/teinglobal-fanclub/docs/brz_leaflet
 

Genesis Coupe Tech Info Update

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Hey everyone! Back again with some tech info that would come in handy for anyone looking to buy a Basic damper kit for a Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

This info was brought to my attention by the R&D staff during their test period with a 2011 model Genesis Coupe as well as further info which had been found on the web. It seems as though the design on the front shock absorber endlink rod mounting tabs have changed from the original production model years to the most current model years sharing the same chassis code. The older model years would have the endlink ball joints facing away from each other in opposite directions (180º). The newer model years would have the endlink ball joints opposing each other at a 90º angle. Provided below is a photo of the different endlink rods which would detail the model years and endlink rod part numbers.

 **Please note that the model years listed below would correspond as followed: Part # 54830-2M000 would be found on 12/19/2008 – 9/15/2010 models year vehicles, Part # 54830-2m001 would be found on models after 9/15/2010 – Current 2011 models**

 

By referencing the photo above as well as the model year of your vehicle, it should help to determine the correct parts needed. For newer model years “after 9/15/2010 – Current 2011 models”, the older style endlink rods would be required when using our Basic damper kit.

Although the info provided above would help in determining whether endlink rods would be required on your application I would still recommend checking to see which shock absorber type your vehicle currently uses. Even though the parts are different for those model years, there is a possibility of the shock absorbers being swapped between models years.

Hopefully this tech info helps out anyone looking to change their stock suspension to coilovers on their Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

NEW LIMITED OFFER, DEFI TRIPLE METER PACKAGE

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The Triple Meter Package consists of packages of turbo, oil pressure, oil temperature gauges(ADVANCE CR or ADVANCE BF) and ADVANCE Control Unit.

DF12201 DF ADVANCE CR 60 TRIPLE METER SET WHITE
DF12202 DF ADVANCE CR 60 TRIPLE METER SET BLACK
DF12301 DF ADVANCE BF 60 TRIPLE METER SET WHITE
DF12302 DF ADVANCE BF 60 TRIPLE METER SET RED
DF12303 DF ADVANCE BF 60 TRIPLE METER SET BLUE

There are 5 types of set, CR white, CR black, BF white, BF amber red, and BF blue.

The gauge diameters are 60mm and the turbo gauges are 200kPa models.

Retail Cost for the CR Models is $980

Retail Cost for the BF Models is $1065

If everything were to be purchased separately for the Advance BF models the cost is $1102.

If everything were to be purchased separately for the Advance CR models the cost is $1028.

Remember this is only for a limited time. Limited quantity will be released.

Hurry and order yours today!

 

New Tein T-Shirts Have Arrived!!

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‘Sup people!! Here to give everyone a heads-up on some new T-shirts we recently released. They were designed by our staff here at TEIN USA in California. We went through lots of designs ’til we finally all agreed on three of the best designs.

The naming of the T-shirts was not easy, but once again we all chose the best names to describe our new T-shirts. The names are Gradation, Circle White, Circle Gray and Silhouette.

So, now that you know the names it’s time to place your order and it’s as simple as visiting our website http://www.tein.com/online_shop/apparel.html!

Current sizes available are Medium, large, and Extra Large. My personal favorite is the Silhouette. I think it just looks cool!

GRADATION- Front

GRADATION- Back

Circle White- Front

Circle White- Back

Circle Grey- Front

Circle Grey- Back

Silhouette- Front

Silhouette- Back

TEIN, Toyota Motorsports, & The Long Beach Grand Prix

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A little bit back we reported that multiple Toyota Camry kits had been made in preparation for use with Toyota Motorsports’ Pace Cars.

Shortly thereafter we posted that TEIN was once again collaborating with Toyota Motorsports on a New Development Project.

Here are a few more shots on what we were working on.

(These are a one-off set of dampers specially made for this project.)

(Here is the OE front suspension in comparison to our damper)

(The OE rear suspension in comparison to our damper and spring.)


(One of our engineers at work, making sure the dampers will work without issue in a race-use environment)

For those of you attended the Long Beach Grand Prix on April 14th and 15th, you might have seen this vehicle parked next to the Camry Pace Cars.

(A group shot of the Camry Pace Cars that have been fitted with customized Super Street Dampers, ready for action on the streets of Long Beach and anywhere else that their use is needed.)

Super Taikyu

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A few posts back I mentioned a little bit about the China Touring Car Championship, and proceeded with a blah blah blah about how much I loved watching Super Touring on tv as a kid. As I had stated, the series still lives on through other series internationally.

Recently, I’ve been watching some videos of the Super Taikyu series on YouTube. It has some pretty interesting regulations. Basically modifications can be done to suspension and body, but drivetrain must be left relatively stock, with the exception of exhaust and intake modification.

As it was explained to me, the series is more of a stepping stone for drivers looking to advance to other series of racing. Super Taikyu, which translates to “Super Endurance”, is an entry-level endurance race with several classes in between (ST1 through ST5) with classification based on engine displacement and drivetrain layout. Sounds fairly straightforward.

Here is a video that I found online

And another one of the Fujitsubo GDB-E Super Taikyu car

So I guess for me the appeal is that there is no major focus on power adders. At least for the ST5-ST3 category, that is. It’s no different than taking a stock showroom model, stripping it down, putting in a cage and a few necessary interior parts, fitting slicks and adjustable suspension, an exhaust and an intake, and that’s it.

For ST1 & ST2, they also allow performance clutch and lsd’s. Although extra power can be had from ecu tuning, it is still very limited. Factory force-induction cars can benefit from aftermarket intercoolers. wow.

They run somewhere around 60 laps for each event.

I suppose it’s not in every privateer’s budget to build such a car. But the ST4 & ST5 categories are well within reach. Again, simple modifications (there’s nothing simple about racing, however) and less of a focus on high power sounds pretty fun and somewhat of a challenge. I wouldn’t mind building up a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris/Vitz to putt putt around the track.

Really wish we still had the TEIN Yaris…