One Happy TEIN Family

Posted on by

This post is on my wife’s car who is currently using the TEIN Super Street Damper kit. She drives a 2007 Honda Accord Coupe EX  4Cyl. It is just about stock with very few mods which include: 19×8  Racing Hart T5 wheels with 36 offset, Super Street without pillowball Mounts, and SPC Performance camber correction kits. She loves it.  She never had experience with a damper kit before on previously owned vehicles, only using lowering springs.

” I have only used lowering springs from different companies and was happy with the ride feel and drop they offered. I never really knew what a coil-over was and I think that I would have been surprised to find out that a car had coil-overs as I would have not paid much attention .”

When I got her a set of Super Streets for her car she was psyched and interested in how the car would ride. She wasn’t familiar with the adjustments can do on any shock absorber.

” My first thoughts of the Super Streets were that they felt great but I was expecting them to be a little firmer. Then my husband let me know that the adjustment was set at full soft and he adjusted it to the half way point. Right away I felt the change in the cars ride and the feel during turns. He then set it to the full stiff setting which I also immediately felt. The cars reaction on turns was drastic. It felt very planted and not like it was gonna flip. The car has greater control with the coil-overs in comparison to my old lowering springs. My husband was surprised to find that I preferred the stiff setting over any of the others.”

I couldn’t help but too slam her car prior to the test drive but she was uncomfortable with height and insisted I raise it a little. The current ride height is great for daily use – looks good and rides well.

“ In my personal opinion with no influence from my husband (even if he works for TEIN), the Super Street coil-overs are a great kit to use on the streets. Its a cool kit because I can have my husband set the ride height and ride quality to what I want. I would recommend this kit to anyone who wants a specific drop since you can adjust it. Not saying anything bad about lowering springs as they are great but you are limited to the drop.”

Her understanding of the coil-over kits is greater now but if she can only understand the slam. LOL. Her car goes to show that even if I’m currently not sporting TEIN Suspension, someone in the family is. H

opefully I’ll have a Specialized Damper made for my next project. Time will tell.

Honda CR-Z Mono Flex Coming Soon

Posted on by

We recently got a hold of Honda Tuning magazine’s CR-Z to use for Mono Flex testing.

The JDM Spec Mono Flex will be test fitted and road tested. Following our normal testing procedures we will be revalving and tuning the kit to for Time Attack competition.

Look for complete coverage of the build-up in future issues of Honda Tuning magazine.

Honda Hybrid Power

Getting Started

Checking fitment and taking measurements

10% Coupon for TEIN Goods

Posted on by

This Saturday is the final round of the 2010 Formula D season at Toyota Speedway (Irwindale). We will have a booth selling all types of TEIN goods at discounted prices. If you present the below coupon at time of purchase you will receive an additional 10% off your entire purchase.


Items for sale include: T-Shirt, Key-chains, Dampachi Dolls, Mechanic Gloves, Hats, Umbrellas, Stickers and much more.

Gates open at 2PM. Come early as some items have very limited quantities. Bring cash as we do not accept credit cards.

The final round of action should be exciting as current points leader, JR, only needs to make top 16 to become the 2010 champ.

See you Saturday!

Reader’s Rides

Posted on by

As many of you readers have seen in our blogs, TEIN has been very fortunate to have a lot of show and race-worthy cars grace our site.  It’s gives us a great sense of pride getting to see our products in competition. But, personally, there’s no greater sense of pride than seeing TEIN stickers adorn a daily driver! To me, it makes my job that much more enjoyable, getting to see our customers use our products on a daily basis.

So, if you have a car sporting our suspension, and would like to have it posted on our pages, feel free to send us some pics along with a brief description of your car, as well as a brief bio of yourself, and we’ll be glad to share it with fellow readers.  It goes without saying, but cars with TEIN stickers are a plus! Please send your info to tus_sales@tein.com.

We’ll do our best to keep each bio short and updated on a monthly basis. So for all you faithful readers, keep posted!

Thank you for your continued support. I hope to see you all on our blog soon!

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.

Carbing Special Order Goods

Posted on by

Since the recent inquiry craze from Evasive Motorsports Blog about the special ordered Carbing Shift Knobs (link can be found here), we would like to introduce you to a few other items Carbing offers that can can be special ordered.

Okuyama T-Shirt

Color Navy, Available in Medium and Large

Part Numbers

CA 380 100 0 (Medium)

CA 380 100 1 (Large)

MSRP $33.00

———————————————————————————————————————————————

Okuyama Trainer

Color Navy, Available in Medium and Large

Part Numbers

CA 380 200 0 (Medium)

CA 380 200 1 (Large)

MSRP $55.00

If you are interested in ordering these rare goods, please contact your local dealer by visiting the following link: Dealer List.

DirtFish?

Posted on by

DirtFish is the name of a new Rally School which will be opening later this month. I was fortunate enough to take a trip to the school and participate in a 1-day course. The school is located in Snoqualmie Falls, WA. The school sits on over 300 acres on what used to be the largest wood mill in the world.

The newly renovated main office which includes classrooms, showroom, conference room and offices.

One of two gigantic wooden structures on the property. Perfect for hooning

I tagged along with the 0-60 Rally Team as they brought the Scion xD to do battle. The premise – can an editor with 1-day training and a Group N STi beat Chris Duplessis in a xD. Check out the next issue of 0-60 magazine to find out the results.

In the background you can see the 0-60 Rally Scion Preparing to Run

The Cars of DirtFish

DirtFish has made a tremendous investment to provide students with top notch vehicles to use during their 1-day and multi-day courses. Courses start by driving a new Subaru STi which have been equipped with TEIN Gr.N suspension ($12,000+ each coilover kit), Gr.N brakes, Gravel wheels/ tires and all the needed safety equipment.

DirtFish garage filled with cars, spares and everything needed to keep the cars in top condition

Brand new Gr.N coilovers waiting to be installed

When we got there the “beginner” cars were still in their final stage of construction so we had to settle for their advanced (multi-day course) cars. Authentic race ready Group N STi. The same cars that Tanner Foust, Ken Block, etc… drove in past Rally America events. These are the real deal anti-lag, launch control, dog box transmission competition cars.

Two of the Gr.N cars which could be driven straight to a rally and be used to compete

Instruction Begins

The day starts with about 1-hour in the classroom and the rest of the day is hands on in the dirt learning car control techniques. Our group of 6 students cycled through 3 cars and 5 instructors. Once in the car instruction is one-on-one with in-car communications systems. All the instructors are great – easy to understand, patient, encouraging and of course skillful behind the wheel.

Van tour of the various training courses we would encounter during the day

One of the students, Eddie of Mackin Industries, strapped in and ready to GO!

By the end of the day everyone in my group was able to navigate a gravel course using all the skills learned in the previous 7 hours. Car control via steering input, weight transfer, throttle, left foot braking and e-brake.

I highly suggest DirtFish to any car enthusiast. It is one of the most fun times I have ever had in a car. I normally drive on tarmac (NASA, Speed Ventures, SpeedTrial, etc…) but sliding on the dirt was just simply A LOT OF FUN. Plus the car control techniques will definitely help drop my times at the circuit. The amenities, instructors and equipment are all AWESOME. Special thanks to all the staff at DirtFish: Greg Lund, Ian, Forest, Don, Adam, Nate and all the support staff.

Check out the DirtFish promo video

VISIT THE DIRTFISH WEBSITE HERE.

Zenkai STi wins at RLTA Spring Mountain

Posted on by

Congratulations to Zenkai Motorsports for winning the Street class at this past weekend’s RLTA at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump, NV.

Driver, Thomas Smith preparing for battle.

Champagne Shower.

Major supporter and engine supplier Crawford Performance was on hand to support Zenkai’s efforts. It paid off with driver Thomas Smith beating the old street class record by 5 seconds.

Quirt of Crawford Performance on hand for race support.

The Zenkai Motorsports STi features off the shelf Super Racing coilovers. The combination of quality parts has paid off as this STi debuted earlier this season and is already atop the podium after only a handful of events.

Images courtesy of Yujiro Otsuki of Zenkai Motorsports. Go to Zenkai Motorsports to learn more about the car and team.

Defi Advance ZD Sport Package Now Available

Posted on by

Hey everyone the Defi Advance ZD is now available to purchase in the US.

We currently just received some stock of this Advance ZD bundle. You will receive the Advance ZD $399 plus the Defi Control Unit $192, Advance Oil Pressure Sensor Set $224, Advance Oil Temperature Sensor Set $113 and the Advance Water Temperature Sensor Set $113.  If the items were to be sold separately the cost would be greater than the $859 that this Sport Package retails for.

Features

The display is high-brightness and high-definition OLED

Time of 0-60mph and 0-100mph can be measured

Warm-up mode is equipped to guard the engine

Self-diagnosis system detects disconnection of wire, short circuit and communication error, and indicates error condition.

Warning value can be set(the display is highlighted and buzzer sounds during warning) Buzzer can be set on/off

Display pattern can be selected from 4 display modes. (maximum 6 items can be displayed all together on one GAUGE display.)

And many more Features…

GAUGE1 DISPLAY

As you can see this display will show you the Tacho, Water Temp., Oil Temp., Speed, Oil Press.

GAUGE2 DISPLAY

STREET DISPLAY

TIME ATTACK DISPLAY

Hurry and order yours today. DEFI products can be purchased through any TEIN Authorized Dealer.

Not your normal RSX

Posted on by

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.