Tag Archives: Testing

Test Cars Needed at TEIN USA!

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Since we’ve been working hard to release the latest suspension kits for 2016, we’ll always run into one hurdle in trying to get the newest products out to the consumer. Finding the correct vehicle for testing is one of those hurdles.

We (TEIN USA) have always done our product development in our Downey, CA. facility for products destined for the U.S. market. The fact that all of our tools and testing equipment are in this facility, and also because our relative distance from TEIN Japan, makes it easier to communicate with our engineers overseas on a daily basis.

However, this type of convenience makes it difficult to locate local vehicles since we’re working in a relatively isolated area. Some times the vehicle we need is more popular in the Northwest region, or even the East coast region. Some times the vehicle we need has been out of production for a number of years already, so finding one type of vehicle can have its challenges.

So this is where we turn to our customers for help!

If you are in or near the L.A. county, and can leave your car with us for a few days of product testing/developing, it would be greatly appreciated! This type of assistance from you doesn’t go without some type of reimbursement. Of course, we want your car to look and handle great, which is probably why you’re reading our blog right now. So, we typically give our customers free product for the inconvenience of leaving them without a car (assuming you only have the one car) for our testing purposes.

If you have any of the vehicles listed below, and want to work with TEIN in developing suspension, please give us a call! We’d love to work with you!

 

 

Vehicle requirements:

-Must retain OEM body (no widebody kits, aftermarket fenders, bumpers, side skirts, extended bumper lips).

-Must retain factory interior. There may be exceptions for some aftermarket interior parts.

-OEM wheels (and tire size) preferred. Plus sized wheel and tires may be fine, depending on size. No aggressive widths and offsets. Contact us if you have aftermarket plus sized wheels.

-Must retain OEM suspension (stock springs, shocks, upper mount assemblies, bushings, swaybars, endlinks, etc.). There may be exceptions for some aftermarket suspension components.

-Must have valid registration and tags, and proof of insurance.

*consult with TEIN staff if your vehicle may have questionable modifications/parts.

 

Loan requirements:

-Vehicle testing schedule may be from 3-5 business days. In other words, the car will need to be left with us during the scheduled/agreed time frame.

– Vehicle must be dropped off with a full tank of gas. We will be return vehicle with a full tank of gas.

 

Give us a call at 562-861-9161!
Or, if email is more convenient, send your inquiry to tus_sales@tein.com

 

Street Basis for the Honda Element

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We recently went forward with testing of the Street Basis coilover which will replace the Basic. The Basic kit had some consumer concerns when it came down to the kits valving and also spring rates. Many consumers sent in the dampers to have the rears revalved to both a more aggressive spring rate and valving to match the spring rates. This time around further testing had been made to find the optimal ride quality for this kit, and being that another TEIN Staff member (Andres) and I already had the vehicles with an excessive modification to the dampers and the other in its stock form, we had a chance to throw in our own 2 cents.

The initial valving of the Basic was softer than expected for the rear. We both felt that the spring rate and valving should be changed to be more aggressive possible matching our past experiences. The first new spec was not to most of our expectations, not just coming from me but other staff who had a change to test drive the vehicle. They changed it many more times even asking to use my vehicle for the testing as it differed in ride feel from the SC models. Finally they came to a damping spec which, to my surprise, was extremely smooth and balanced for the spring rates used. Let’s just put it this way, the rear would actually still be carrying the same spring rate as the Basic but the fronts were change.

The Street Basis is expected to be released around mid to late February and would be priced around $900.00 MSRP but not confirmed yet. For future updates on the kits release date and pricing, please check back with us on the TEIN websites “New Applications” tab or follow us on Facebook.

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.

 

TEIN USA R&D Needs Your Car

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TEIN USA’s R&D Section is in need of your car to do testing on.

If you, anyone in your family, one of your friends, or your neighbors owns one of the following cars or any of the cars listed on this page, let them know that TEIN USA needs their car to do testing on.

If your car is chosen to be used for testing you may have your car returned to you with lowering springs or maybe even coilovers free of charge.
The only sacrifice that need be made is your time.
Testing can take anywhere from 3-5 business days.

So let us know by filling in this Test Vehicle Application and one of our staff will be in contact with you.

Remember, we only need one car per testing application, and it’s first come first serve, so apply quickly.

S14 Mono Flex Testing

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Finally, many years after it’s initial release, the Mono Flex Dampers for the S14 have been tested.

If you own an S14 and happened to have been waiting for us to release a mono tube suspension for your vehicle, chances are your suspension is starting to look like this.

If those parts are a close representation of what your suspension looks like right now, if you’re going to be using your S14 for some serious track events, or if you just want to upgrade your suspension, then you should pick up a set of our Mono Flex to make your S14 handle like the sports car it is.

Not only will our Mono Flex give you that sporty handling and feel, they also look great.

Take the time to contact us or one of our dealers and ask about our S14 Mono Flex.

(Note: S14 Mono Flex are special order items and will require some time to arrive)

09+ Toyota Corolla XRS Lowering Springs

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Lowering Spring testing for the 09+ Toyota Corolla XRS has been completed.

The ride height drop for the Corolla XRS: Front -40mm and Rear -46mm,

The actual drop may vary by models due to the weight of different components (ie Transmission, Packages, etc.)

These black springs are prototypes, production units will be green in color.

Springs will be available for purchase in November.

R&D Test Cars Needed.

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Blog readers, greetings from the Tein USA Research and Development Section.

In the past, a majority of the blog posts done by R&D have been on vehicles which we had finished our testing on. We simply wanted to report on future products that you, the consumers, could look forward to.

As of late, however, we in R&D have run into a problem. We no longer have test cars to do testing on.

You see, with the continual release of new vehicles and models, there is no way for us to constantly look to just a few sources to provide us with these vehicles to do testing on.

We are completely reliant upon the consumers and enthusiasts, like yourself, to provide us with their personal vehicles to do the aforementioned testing on.

About the Testing itself:

Depending on the testing and the products being tested, the time frame that we require your vehicle for is usually 3-5 days.

Thinking of being without a vehicle for a bit of time may be a huge deterrent for many.

However, look on the bright side.

Free Suspension! Depending on the application, you may walk out with our lowering springs or you may walk out with  a set of our coilovers.

The installation will be professionally done by the R&D Engineers.


After the installation is finished we will perform a Basic Front-End Alignment and you’ll also be the first person to own the product.

If that sparks your interest and if you have the time to allow us with your vehicle, then check out this link and find out if your car is one of those that we are looking for. If you happen not to find your car on the list, no need to fret, check back every once in a while and we just may be in need of your car sometime down the line.

2010 2.5 Subaru Legacy Lowering Springs

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S.Tech Spring testing on the 2010 2.5 Subaru Legacy has been completed.

Expect the ride height drop to be: Front -45mm and Rear -40mm

The actual drop may vary by models due to the weight of different components (ie Transmission, Packages, etc.)

Expect Mass Production units to be ready for sale in about 4 months time.

We will be testing Lowering Springs on the 3.6 Legacy soon.

We will also be testing coilovers in the near future.