Tag Archives: S15

A Look Back at the TEIN S15

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Recently saw on facebook that Import Tuner magazine is running a contest to see what the next cover car should be. One of the front runners is a white S15. It reminded me of when the TEIN S15 was on the cover of Import Tuner.

March 2006 issue. Click HERE to read the article.

Back in 2005 when drifting and time attack were blossoming in the US, TEIN decided to build a monstrous demo car. The purpose was to build a single car that could compete in select drift and time attack events. Prior to this decision we were sponsoring or borrowing cars to compete under the TEIN name.

One of our engineers who had some fabrication and rally racing experience was put in charge of the project. I obtained parts and helped with final assembly when I was not working on our 2006 Civic Si Coupe (also debuted at the 2005 SEMA show). I do not think our bay door closed for an entire month. Some of us worked, ate and even slept at the office to get the two cars finished.

This picture was probably taken at 2 or 3am a few nights before the cars had to leave for Vegas.

In the end the S15 was completed just in time to display at SEMA.

Under the hood sat at RD28DETT which was pushed back over 10″ to improve weight distribution. The motor was fully built from top to bottom with HKS parts and produced an easy 600HP and 550ft-lbs of torque.

There were tons of custom parts including Ikeya Formula arms to widen the track, tubed front and rear fender wells, v-mount rad/ intercooler, crazy jungle-gym like cage, gussets everywhere, this car could have probably launched off a cliff and nothing would happen.

Ikeya custom arms, custom composite driveshaft, ARC transmission and Diff coolers, Fujitsubo custom flat side exit exhaust.

Custom fuel surge tank, dual Bosch fuel pumps, ARC pumps for the trans. and diff., halon nozzle, plus last minute fabricated aluminum wing supports.

DEFI Super Sports Cluster, dual EDFC, floor mounted pedal assembly. Not much room since the trans. tunnel was remade to fit the OS Giken 6-speed sequential and because the engine was so far back.

Over the next couple of years the car shipped back and forth from Japan. While in Japan it displayed at Tokyo Auto Salon, and had work done by MCR.

A quiet day at Streets of Willow for the car’s first shakedown. It was pretty awesome to see the car run for the first time. 

In the end we ran the car twice at Super Lap Battle but the results were nothing special. Not enough testing and tuning to really get it properly dialed-in. Our engineers re-focused on product development instead of trying to be a race team, which we are not.

This car always reminds me building cars is about the right combination of parts and proper testing/ tuning. The TEIN S15 was constructed with a plan, had high-end quality parts and tons of fabrication but in the end maybe the combination just wasn’t right. Hopefully we will see the car re-emerge one day.

 

 

Tie Rod/Tie Rod Ends & Pillowball Tension Rods

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Okay so you are in 240sx at a stop light about to make a left then suddenly realize you need to make a U turn, but your not sure if you have enough space.  Well if you had TEIN Tie Rods and Ends you wouldn’t be doubting yourself.

The Tie Rods and Tie Rod Ends (combined) increase your steering angle, improve turning radius and are a huge improvement from  your OE parts.  These Tie rods and Tie rod ends are 10%-55% stronger than your OE parts (numbers vary depending on vehicle) due to the higher quality material and larger diameter of the components.

The kit comes with hardware for either an OE set up or anyone who wants a more aggressive steering angle or just beefier components.

Tie Rod kits start at $88.00

Tie Rod Ends start at $88.00

Click here to see the line up and MSRP.

(Kits are also available for G35 and 350Z)

As for caster adjustment for your 240sx you can upgrade to TEIN’s Pillowball Tension Rods.  The Pillowball type rods improves your acceleration and deceleration. Reason behind this is it controls the movement of the of the lower arms better than the OE bushings. Your steering response will improve, body roll will decrease and wheel alignment will stay more accurate.  The OE rods have huge rubber bushings which deteriorate badly causing unwanted movement and slop.

The tension rod (which are made of carbon steel, S45C) includes an adjustable turnbuckle with rubber encapsulated NMB pillowball bearing, which allows you to adjust the angle of the caster for a more precise alignment and increased strength.

Starting MSRP $290.oo

Click here for the full line up available.

Past TEIN USA Demo Cars

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Was looking through some older pictures on our server and found these. Some of the modifications may be considered out-of-date but at the time these cars were built this was the trend.

2004 Scion xB – built in 2004, debuted at SEMA 2004.  Featured TEIN’s Hybrid Wagon Dampers which allows for ride height adjustment from the cockpit. Greddy turbo kit, custom metal widebody, Bride seats front and rear, custom dash, Racing Hart wheels, and complete Lightning Audio setup. Was sold a couple times, last seen with new a paint job and many of the goodies removed.

1999 Nissan Silvia S15 – initially built in 2005, debuted at SEMA 2005, and went on to continually be modified/ revised/ re-tuned until 2007. 650WHP, RB28DETT (stroked), V-mount, OS Giken 6-speed sequential transmission, TEIN Super Racing coilovers, C-West widebody, stitch welded, crazy roll cage, too much to list. Now owned by a private party in California.

2006 Honda Civic Si Coupe – built in 2005, debuted at SEMA 2005. Custom metal widebody, custom turbo setup, custom red suede interior, TEIN Mono FLEX coilovers, Enkei RPF1 Type RC wheels, etc… Stolen while on the HIN tour and later recovered completely stripped.

2006 Volkswagen Golf GTI mk. V – built in 2006, debuted at SEMA 2006. Featured TEIN Euro Dampers, BRS widebody, host of Seibon Carbon parts, APR Turbo upgrade, JE pistons, Carrillo rods, Bride Gias Carbon Kevlar seats, custom Rothschild Fabrication roll bar, dual composite NX nitrous kit, and custom AutoArt VX wheels. Sold to a used car dealership, not sure where this car ended up.

2007 Toyota Yaris 3-dr – Built in 2006, debuted at SEMA 2006 and competed at Super Lap Battle Finals 2007 (driver Andy Hope pushed this car to a 2:08.091). Burnout bodykit from Japan, custom painted graphics, Super Charger kit, KAAZ LSD, Custom Rothschild Fabrication roll cage, Bride Bucket, Defi Meters, and custom spec TEIN Super Street coilovers. Currently sitting inside one of Toyota’s warehouses.

more past demo cars to be revisited in the future…