Tag Archives: Subaru

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
 

Scion FR-S

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So it seems that the upcoming Scion FR-S (and Subaru BRZ, for that matter) are expected to be the most in-demand of sport compacts for next year. And you can bet with a front engine, rear wheel drive layout over a coupe body, it will be tons of fun. So much hype has been generated on the internet through various web magazines and blogs. Scion, in general, does very well in promoting their cars and tuners are quite eager to get their hands on it.

Check out this video from Speedhunters

Seems like Ken Gushi is already getting comfortable with this car! I look forward to seeing this at Formula D events!

Here’s a link to the vehicle specs

http://www.frs-scion.com/specs/?gclid=CJHAr4DS_6wCFWNLpgodiB7oSg

Will TEIN be making any suspension for this car? You bet! Well, once we get our hands on an FR-S, or BRZ, at least.

Subaru BRZ

If any of you readers get your hands on one and are close to our Downey, CA facility, feel free to contact us for R&D testing.

Patrik Flodin and the Uspenskiy Rally Tecnica Team Gain 1st Win for 2011!

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Congratulations to the Uspenskiy Rally Tecnica team and Patrik Flodin on their victory at this year’s Wales Rally GB! As has been proved in past events, it wasn’t an easy victory. But Flodin and co-driver Goran Bergsten pulled through with an amazing race to the finish.

As posted by wrc.com

“Flodin, from Sweden, feared his chances of winning the category were over when his Subaru Impreza suffered a front puncture one kilometre from the finish of the penultimate stage, which he completed with an advantage of 2.3s over Kosciuszko.

Despite the Pole going faster than him on the event-closing Power Stage in his Mitsubishi Lancer, Flodin did just enough to secure victory, albeit by a slender margin of 2.0s.

“We were really struggling yesterday with the driving on Tarmac,” said Flodin. “Last night we reset everything and tried to do our best today and the driving was working better. We tried to go a bit smoother, braking earlier and really focus on the exit of the corner. I saw in the fast sections we were faster than him and we could see that on the split times. Without the puncture it could have been quite safe. We did just enough.””

We’re definitely proud of their victory and for their continued support for TEIN!

Pikes Peak Hillclimb is around the corner

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The 2011 Pikes Peak Hillclimb is just a little over a week away. There are a few big teams going out to the 89th running to break the unlimited class record. You might have already seen a bunch of the testing videos of Rhys Millen, Dallenbach Racing, Dancia Duster, etc… if not you might want to search on youtube. Some amazingly fast cars.

I love the unlimited cars for their technology and sheer craziness but I what is really interesting to me are cars that are modified production vehicle. Zenkai Motorsports’ STi is one of those cars. It has previously competed in Time Attack and Gymkhana. For PPHC it will be driven by Stephan Verdier. Stephan will actually be pulling double duty. Competing in Global Rallycross on June 17 and 18th, then attacking the mountain on June 24th.

Check out the serious front splitter. Not unusual for a Hill Climb car.

For the Rallycross Stephan will be behind the wheel of his STi equipped with TEIN Gr.N dampers. The following weekend he will be behind the wheel of the Zenkai STi which is has TEIN Super Racing dampers.

We wish Stephan the best of luck in both events.

Here are some videos from last year.

Tradin paint and fiberglass plus Big Air

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Rd. 2 of the Global Rallycross took place this past weekend at the Old Mill Adventure Park in Snoqualmie, WA (also home of the DirtFish rally school). The 2 day event is broken into two style of races. The first, held on Friday is SuperRally. Basically one on one battles with a bracket system finishing with an overall winner. In SuperRally, Stephan finished 3 overall but had an awesome battle with Dave Mirra in one of the rounds. Check out the video.

In case your wondering, Stephan went on to win a third and deciding race against Dave to advance.

In the Saturday RallyCross, Stephan qualified first and finished the AWD final in 4th due to a punctured tire. You can see the recap below.

The mixture of surfaces including wet tarmac, mud and gravel make for exciting racing where all competitors have a chance to take home a win. You can watch a rebroadcast of all the action on ESPN. Check you local listing for exact time and dates or check, www.global-rallycross.com

Image courtesy of Mr. Sean McDonough.

This Car is HaWt!!!

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Really, it is!

Of all the cars I was able to see at this year’s SEMA show, I was able to narrow my favorites down to two- The Munsters Dragula car at Meguiar’s lot outside and RallySport Direct’s STI over at Rays/Volk booth.

I must admit, when I heard that Subaru was bringing back the STI sedan for 2011, I was excited, and I anxiously awaited the renderings/prototype. Then I saw it. Then I changed my mind a little. Then I forgot about it altogether. I guess there were a few things that didn’t sit well with me- I’m still getting used to how the back end looks, and that big wing isn’t all that cool (it is functional, though).

But then,

RallySport Direct got their hands on one, and now I’m taking back those ill feelings I had. Honestly, this is one clean looking, well-modded STI. Tastefully done, and something I’d like to have as a daily driver.

And how about that wheel fitment?

Volk G2’s on driver’s side. Hot.

Volk TE37SL’s on the passenger side. HOTTER!

So anyway, all this to say that this car is hot. We’re very fortunate to have the guys at RallySport rep our brand. They were the first ones Stateside to slap on a set of our MonoFlex Dampers for the STI sedan. Their STI also sport Defi’s new Advance BF gauges. Along with a bevy of JDM parts bolted on, I truly am jealous that they get to drive this car around.

Enough of this eye seks. You can read about it yourself on RallySport’s blog  http://theattack.rallysportdirect.com/

About that Dragula car…

…Disturbingly HaWt?

Zenkai STi wins at RLTA Spring Mountain

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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.

SuperRally at X Games 16

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This past weekend was X Games 16. New for this year was SuperRally where four cars compete bumper to bumper on a dirt course. TEIN sponsored professional drifter, Stephan Verdier, driving his Subaru STi. The vehicle is actually Stephan’s drift car converted back to AWD and tuned for rally. Changes included a different motor and transmission package from Crawford (must use turbo restrictor plate per the rules), rally suspension, gravel tires and a host of other parts.

Being that Ford and Subaru had multiple cars entered into SuperRally I think it was safe to say that Stephan was a big underdog. However practice times showed that Stephan was one of the quickest competitors. His Crawford powered STi showed it easily had the power to compete with the high power and light weight Fiestas from Ford which are purpose built for Rally Cross competition.

During morning practice Stephan made contact with the wall and damaged both the front and rear of his car. His car arrived back to the pits with a motor trouble, suspension damage and body damage. It took his skillful and dedicated crew hours to get his car patched up enough to compete. TEIN engineer, Mr. Nakai was on hand to help with suspension tuning and witnessed the team fix a broken cam sprocket, pull the chassis with a truck, replace suspension components and repair the bodywork. At this point he was lucky to even make it to the starting line.

In the first round Stephan faced Dave Mirra, Ken Block and ACP.

Stephan blasted off the line and held his lead for the entire race earning the win and entrance into the final round.

In the final round Stephan faced Tanner Foust, Brian Deegan and Sam Hubinette. This time the Fiestas blasted off the line and Stephan used his Crawford power to gain third position.

Through aggressive driving he moved into second behind Foust but relinquished the position to Deegan 3 laps later.

300 meters before the finish Stephan slowed from a damaged intercooler pipe which allowed Hubinette to pass him for third. The Gr.N suspension worked flawlessly throughout practice and competition. The coilovers provided Stephan with good traction for the Crawford power plant, high cornering speed and smooth landings.

It was an exciting race no matter the outcome and I cannot wait to see this event again in 2011.

Special thanks to Gordon Ting of 0-60 magazine for the X Games pass and the images.

Super Pro Engine Pitch Mount for 02-07 WRX & 04-07 STI

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A very popular modification for Subaru WRX and STI owners is improving the engine/transmission rigidity by changing motor mounts, transmission mount, and the engine pitch mount( also known as an engine pitch stop or dog bone).

One of the most readily available upgrades is the Subaru Group N pieces. A few Subaru dealerships even stock these pieces.

I’m trying one mod at a time, starting with the Group N motor mounts. These mounts definitely increase NVH( Noise, Vibration, and Harshness). That lumpy boxer idle is even more pronounced at idle. To me, it’s not a big deal- I kinda like it!

I then tried out the Group N pitch mount, and although the rubber bushings are harder in durometer over the OE piece, I wasn’t so thrilled about the OE-like plastic arm stamped STi- I always thought it was a reinforced(still plastic) piece. Oh well. I’m no engineer. So if it works, it works. Initial impressions- same amount of NVH, as far as I can tell. No real change in driving feel.

Anyways, in conjunction with some other mods I have on my car, especially that massive APS Top Mount Intercooler which makes underhood clearances as tight as it possibly can be, I noticed under hard acceleration that quick shifting causes the intercooler y-pipe to hit the firewall bracket supporting the pitch arm, slightly. Not a very comforting sound.

Removal of the Intercooler is necessary to access the Pitch Mount. 2 bolts and 3 hose clamps need to be removed, as well as a few hoses from the breather assembly.

Just recently, I got my hands on Super Pro’s Aluminum/Polyurethane engine pitch stop(p/n SPF3205). Nicely finished in a blue anodize(which will sadly go unnoticed thanks to my Intercooler), this piece looks more like a con-rod. The poly bushings are also a nice snug fit into the firewall bracket and motor bracket.  Easy enough to install, save for the shoehorned intercooler as an obstruction, it’s just two bolts to loosen/tighten.  Total time with a standard intercooler should be no more than 20 minutes. For you front-mount intercooler owners, even quicker.

With the intercooler removed, the pitch mount is clearly visible.

Initial impressions- not much NVH than the Group N pitch mount, and definitely no contact with the y-pipe and firewall bracket under quick shifts, as mentioned earlier. Great! Goes to show that some small changes can make a difference.

Comparison of the Super Pro and STi pitch arm

The Super Pro mount is a snug fit. A little grease helps fit it into its bracket.

Installed.

In retrospect, starting with this piece  would’ve been a better start. I’m only guessing that this piece would’ve reduced the chances of the y-pipe interfering with the firewall bracket from the beginning. Next install is the Group N transmission mount. A bit more NVH to deal with…. yay.

Enjoy!