TEIN Equipped Cars of SEMA 2015

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Paul P.

Each year we are very fortunate to be able to attend SEMA (either as an exhibitor or a visitor). We always look forward to seeing all the great aftermarket parts so many manufacturers are putting out, and we also always look forward to the vehicle builds that manufacturers and individuals bring to Las Vegas. Each and every year we attend we get to see some of these cars using TEIN, and that makes us very proud. It is truly an honor to have our suspensions grace some of the most beautiful builds!!!

This year, we had the opportunity to assist with several builds. Starting with:

Evasive Motorsports’ Nissan GT-R:

This is actually a vehicle we have had on TEIN Super Racing since last year (it was in the Volk Racing/Rays Wheels booth for 2014 SEMA). This year, we wanted to showcase our Super Racing dampers with the new 3-way Unit (for low and high-speed compression adjustment). However, for 2016, we will convert back to 2-way as Evasive rebuilds the car for Time Attack Duties (as part of their class requirement).

Mackin Industries/ Project Mu Nissan 204SX:
Brian and Julia Duong of Mackin Industries built their 240SX for Project Mu. Unlike other 240SX’s, this one is not all hacked up and fitted with some crazy widebody. That is a large part of this car’s appeal- just how clean the body looks and with just some simple modifications! Looks great with our STREET FLEX damper kit.

Evasive Motorsports’ 997 Porsche GT3:

This vehicle is using our custom Specialized Dampers made through TEIN Japan. We hope to do more testing on this platform soon and bring the kit to market!

Nissan GT-R Nismo:

This was in Mackin Industries/Rays Wheels booth for SEMA. Very tastefully done and using our MONO SPORT suspension.

Whiteline’s Toyota FR-S:

Owner Jonathan Polidano took his personal FR-S and made it into Whiteline’s occassional track car. Using our MONO SPORT dampers with EDFC Active Pro.

X-Force Exhausts Ford Mustang GT:

This 2015 Mustang GT is currently on our prototype set of S.Tech lowering springs. Sitting on 20″ Volk G25’s, this has the perfect stance!

Lexus GS-F:

Built by Gordon Ting, this brand new Lexus GS-F is on a prototype set of our STREET ADVANCE coilovers. Another tastefully modded car still incorporating most the the car’s natural body lines.

Evasive Motorsports’ Evasive-Spec S2000 Ver.3:

A customer car that was just freshly built from the ground up and using Evasive Motorsports’ very own Evasive-Spec Super Racing dampers. Such a beautifully executed build. Nothing spared, everything to the highest quality!

DC Sports Subaru WRX:

Using our newest FLEX Z dampers and paired to our EDFC ACTIVE PRO setup, this simply prepared WRX looks good and has the performance to match its appearance!

Toyota RAV-4 Rally Car:

And let’s not forget the Rally RAV-4 of Ryan Millen! This was sitting across from the TEIN booth. We love it in all its dirt and splendor! Using a customized set of our Group N dampers.

It was a great SEMA for us, and one that had TEIN’s presence wherever we walked! Glad to be a part of so many great cars!!! We hope to be just as prevalent for next year’s SEMA, if not more so!!!

Super Street Magazine’s Top Ten Nissans of SEMA 2015

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Paul P.

Super Street Magazine (or Online, for that matter) has put out a list of some of their favorites from SEMA! One segment, favorite Nissan’s, shows two of our sponsored vehicles:

The S14 240SX of Brian and Julia Duong made the list, as well as Evasive Motorsports’ R35 GT-R which happened to be our booth car for the show!

Congrats to both! I mean, it’s quite obvious that both cars look great, so it should have been easy enough to both be favorites!

SEMA 2015

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Paul P.

Geeeez. 2015 is already closing out??? We can typically feel this when SEMA starts to come around, and we’re getting to work on our displays.

This year marked the launch of the new FLEX Z coilovers. A bit later than expected, but nonetheless it is now available! It’s done really well, too! In fact, a bit too well, and we’re now running into an issue with backorders. Whoops!!!

We were also planning on the launch of the new STREET BASIS Z & STREET ADVANCE Z for 2015. These two new products are to come from our new TEIN China factory, which is still doing preliminary manufacturing runs. However, due to an increase in orders for the FLEX Z, along with a year-long sale we had on STREET FLEX kits (and a reduced price for current STREET BASIS & STREET ADVANCE kits), TEIN Japan has been backed up with orders from each of their branches.

We mentioned several times that we have a new manufacturing plant in China. However, everything isn’t up and running 100% just yet. Again, we’re focused on maintaining that well-known TEIN quality, and that trickles down to our STREET BASIS Z & STREET ADVANCE Z lineup, which the TEIN China factory will be producing for us. So, until it is perfected, we will hold off on releasing this product line. Expect to see the new “Z” lines to hit the U.S. shore by Spring 2016!!!

Anyway, back to SEMA. That is our biggest show for the year. Typically we’ll take a year off (skip a year). But this year we return to get the word out to vendors and distributors that some new products are soon to arrive. Afterall, that is what SEMA is- a place for manufacturers to showcase the latest and greatest. And, in our case, showcase a well built Evasive Motorsports Nissan GT-R on our Super Racing dampers w/ 3-way. Yowza, that’s a mouthful to say.

We hope to see many of you there. We know that the show is technically not open to the public, but from what we understand, the SEMA group opens up the last day (Friday the 6th) to consumers. So why not try to make it anyway!!!

A look back at TEIN’s SEMA past.

We like American cars. So what?

If you can make it, stop by our booth in Central Hall (Racing & Performance; booth # 24817), right next to Toyota!!!

The 2014 SEMA Show

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Sergio M.

The 2014 SEMA Show is in full swing. Many exhibitors displaying this years must have products. Just as great as the years past.

Check out these other pictures taken of a few TEIN Sponsored cars which are looking sweet seating on TEIN suspension.

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For new photos of the show, check out the TEIN USA facebook and Instagram pages. Thanks to those who have had the chance to stop by our booth this year. If you havent and would like to their still is time to stop on by and see whats gonna be new for 2015. We’ll be in the South Upper Hall in booth #34291. Hope to see you there!

TEIN USA Delivers to West Coast Customs

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Paul P.

It’s not often that you get to see TEIN on the tv screen unless it’s regarding Rally America, Formula Drift, FIA European Rally Championship, or something else along those lines. Even then, we tend to keep to ourselves tucked away in our own little pocket. Instead, we focus on manufacturing the products that continue to make the motorsports world go round.

But, every now and then we’ll be invited to participate on some television programs. Previously, we took part in the televised series Fine Tuned. This was a very similar approach to the show Overhaulin’, but aimed around the “tuner car” demographic. That was actually kinda fun!

Our most recent television appearance was with the West Coast Custom crew, taking part on a Scion FR-S build for Ryan Friedlinghaus Jr..

Since we already had product available for the FR-S, and since it’s a vehicle that continues to do very well for us, it was kind of a no-brainer to participate on this project. We had just launched the newer Street Flex coilovers and we also had EDFC Active. This was a great opportunity to get this new product out to West Coast Customs.

When we were contacted by Scott at West Coast Customs, we quickly got the parts ready and dropped it off to them. It’s funny- the whole process of taking the product to them and explaining what we brought them was just as shown on tv. I guess it is truly a reality! Haha!

Special Delivery!

A quick rundown of our Street Flex coilovers and EDFC Active.

Anyway, after a quick rundown of what we were providing them, we let them get at it by themselves. The project car was only beginning and they had a lot of areas to knock out before tackling the suspension.

Crunch time to get the car built before going to paint. Our friend Troy from Five Axis here helping them get the Five:AD body kit installed.

Fortunately, as many of you customer’s know, our products are a relatively straightforward endeavor right out of the box. The Street Flex is a complete swap of the factory dampers, also including their own upper mounts. It simply requires unbolting the stock stuff and bolting up our coilovers, then tightening everything to the correct torque specs (and final alignment to be done afterwards). Looks like the WCC guys didn’t have any issues getting that done!

West Coast Customs posted up photos of the car on their Facebook, following the airing of the episode on this build and the SEMA Show launch.

Ryan Jr.’s FR-S being unveiled at SEMA 2013.

Glad to be a part of this build and on the “big screen”! Hahaha!

SEMA 2013 in Review

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Paul P.

To those that have attended SEMA for several years now, it may not seem new and exciting each time you’re there. In fact, there are many new things happening. A lot of great, innovative designs and products being made or to look forward to for the new year.

It still holds true, though- sometimes it doesn’t feel so new and exciting. I’ve been to SEMA for 8 years consecutively ever since I started working here- 5 years as an exhibitor, 3 as a visitor. Each time, it just feels like there are only running changes within the industry.

However, being able to work with a manufacturer like TEIN, you get an inside view of how the industry is evolving. Some of these new and exciting things I’m looking for are hidden within the details of the product. That’s what’s great about SEMA, because you’re able to speak directly with representatives of each manufacturer and get some insight into their latest developments and offerings.

Unfortunately, we didn’t exhibit this year. But you can be sure to see us there in 2014, as we have some new products to show and explain to our customers!

As I had mentioned, we didn’t exhibit, but I was still a visitor. I was able to walk all the halls and lots to check out many of the vehicles being displayed. I also met with many of TEIN’s authorized dealers and distributors, as well as many of the media personnel who work hard to keep the performance parts industry in the minds of consumers like you! It was great to be able to do all of that during a relatively short week. As always, I was on the lookout for TEIN related vehicles.

Here are a few new vehicles we helped out with, some of which we previously mentioned on our blog or on our Facebook page

First up was the 2014 Acura RLX we recently did testing on. This one is on a prototype set of Street Flex coilovers

Acura also brought out last year’s ILX, which we provided TEIN Super Street coilovers for. This year, it had a different paint scheme, as well as a few other cosmetic updates.

The Toyota booth also had a few project vehicles we assisted with.

The new 2014 Corolla. This one is on a set of Gravel dampers built through our Specialized Damper Program.

It also had some unique railing on the front and rear bumpers. That way, the Corolla doesn’t only serve as a rally car, you can do some bike tricks off of the bumper. Hahahaha!

Their 2014 RAV4 was also a unique display vehicle. The concept was a recreational vehicle with some very off-the-wall amenities fit for a triathelete! It had a mini fridge, blender, and sink in the back seat area. In the trunk was a mini shower. And yes, these items were all functional! We had to create a suspension kit that would take the weight of the shower equipment, plus water storage. Quite a unique opportunity for us to build something special!

At the Toyo Tire booth was a Lexus IS AWD that the Rally xD team built. As you would guess, these guys have a relationship with Scion, which in turn has ties to Toyota and Lexus. It was definitely a far cry from their usual rally purposed builds. But, damn, it was great looking car. This one is also on a prototype Street Flex coilover set. Oh, and that bike up top was actually made by Lexus!!! Full carbon frame and fork!

Some other notable vehicles that returned from last year were Crawford Performance’s Subaru BRZ at the Enkei booth. He’s still on our Mono Flex coilovers, which he uses for track days. Those wheels look great! Soon to be released, btw!

Our friend Robert from Magnaflow drove his 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe to display. Unfortunately he had to work the show, so we weren’t able to speak with him much. His car looked great, though! Love the stance he was able to get with our Street Basis coilovers!

Also, Ken Suen, driver of the red FA5 Civic Si sponsored by Sportcar Motion brought his new 2014 Civic Si, which was at the TSW booth. He apparently modified his set of Mono Flex coilovers to fit this car. We, on the other hand, are making a Mono Flex kit specifically for this platform (we already have Street Basis, Street Advance, and Street Flex available).

A non-TEIN related display I really liked was Falken Tires’ ALMS Porsche. Battle scars and all on display.

Also, Dai Yoshihara’s Rocket Bunny V2 kitted BRZ

I know I’m missing a bunch of photos you all wanted to see, like the Liberty Walk stuff. But, that’s not really what I’m into. Don’t get me wrong, the F430 looked great! I just really like the sport compacts out on the market a bit more.

Oh, and the last, but definitely the first thing I saw at SEMA was Morgan Jade Bui of Sportcar Motions’ EH Civic drag car! about 1,100 hp to the front wheels! Can you handle that much power?

Yeah, I still love import drag racing. Don’t judge me.

SEMA 2013

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Omar A.

What’s up?!!! This year we will be attending the 2013 SEMA show as visitors. Unfortunately there will be no TEIN booth this year. We know, we know. What a bummer. However, you might be able to catch the marketing manager and general manager at the show!

Nevertheless we have released new products this year. Which ones, you might ask? Any guesses? That’s right our new EDFC Active and Street Flex coilover line. Most of you have seen the ads in magazine and the product at our show booths. If you are not familiar with them visit the links below.

http://www.tein.com/products/street_flex.html

http://www.tein.com/products/edfc_active.html

Maybe we will get a booth next year! Afterall, we have even more new products for 2014 that we’ll want to showcase! Until then, for anyone attending SEMA 2013, have a great time! We’re sure there will be plenty of amazing vehicles on display!

2014 Acura RLX Sema Car

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Sergio M.

This application had actually come as a shock to me and a few other staff, as we first though that the testing was for mass-production. However, this will end up being a SEMA car to be displayed in the Acura booth. This particular application was to be considered for testing but at a later time and it was, in a sense, placed on the back burner for a bit. Inquiries did come in from customers and dealers, but not so much to push forward the testing period for the vehicle. This testing and prototyping will apply to future product releases, should product development still be considered.

SEMA 2011 002 (Small)

Unfortunately, at this time I don’t have a clear release date nor do I have information of the product to be released for this vehicle. The prototype kit is also being deemed as classified for the time being, which I hope to later provide the details as to which product was used. One thing for sure is that it will utilize a completely different kit than the previous models. If you are heading out to SEMA this year, stop by the Acura booth and check out this RLX. Also, if you are looking to get a kit for this application, keep sending the inquiries and the testing can be pushed up on our list.

2012 SEMA Show

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Sergio M.

I had a chance to attend this years SEMA Show in Las Vegas at the Convention Center. The last time I had attend SEMA was in 2008. This year’s booth wasn’t as big as the booth from 2008, but worked out well for Paul and I since we were the only two manning the booth. Overall the booth traffic was pretty good, but not as busy as expected. The smaller crowds may have also been due to Hurricane Sandy affecting most of the eastern seaboard cancelling many flights out and wreaking havoc. Our hearts go out to all those effected by the disaster.

This year’s must-have import display car was none other than the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. Not saying that the car isn’t sweet looking, just too many at the show- over 70 examples from my understanding. I didn’t really get a chance to walk through the show and check out more of the displays since there were only two of us at the booth, which made it rather difficult for either of us to really walk around. We were able to get few quick snap shots of our hall at break time. Even with the breaks, it still wouldn’t be enough time for us really go through the hall since it’s so massive, and this is only considering the hall we were in and not the others, as well as those on display outside.

Below are some of the pictures we were able to take, but for more of those photos check out our Facebook page’s Photo Album named “The 2012 SEMA Show” https://www.facebook.com/teinusa

Many thanks to all those who stopped by our booth this year. Your interest and support in TEIN is greatly appreciated!

A Look Back at the TEIN S15

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Philip C.

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.

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