Our In-House Engineer’s personal Scion FR-S

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Paul P.

While most of us are pretty much desk jockeys here at TEIN USA (just kidding!), some of our staff enjoy spending their free time at the local race track. Local to us southern Californians is something like a 1 hour drive on average.

One such racing enthusiast is our very own in-house engineer, Shuichiro (a.k.a.- “GQ”). He occasionally takes one of his daily drivers to the track. He’s currently driving his 2013 Scion FR-S. Prior to this, he had a well-prepared Honda S2000. However, there was one occassion where he tried to get all environmentally friendly and drive a Toyota Prius. Dunno what he was trying to do there. He was probably all like “I wanna be like Brad Pitt” or something. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still a true race enthusiast. That hybrid car stuff was just a phase we’re trying to forget about…

He was told to “look natural”. This is his idea of “natural”. So GQ.

But yes, he’s an enthusiasts. Whenever he has the chance, he’ll prepare his car for track duty. Being that he works at TEIN, that means he has access to any one of our suspension kits.

We are actually making his car our guinea pig for damper development, for both new product and experimental damper valving. Since it is easier to do so with our 2-way adjustable setups, we have him run our Super Racing coilover. Not a bad hookup for making him our crash test dummy! I mean, test driver. In the name of science!!!

The current build sheet for his FR-S is as follows:

*Exterior
Front lip spoiler: Revolution
Side skirt: Downforce Evasive (exclusive model)
GT wing: Voltex Type1S
Duck bill: Five Axis
Fender Spoiler: TRD

*Interior
Seat: Recaro SP-G
Harness: TAKATA Race 4

*Footwork
Coilover: TEIN SRC (Ft9kg/Rr10kg)
Wheel: Advan GT 18×9.5 +40
Brakes: AP Racing front big brake kit w/ 6 piston calipers
Brake pads: Project Mu

*Drive train
LSD: ATS&Across

*Engine
Intake: Revolution
Throttle Body: Revolution
Exhaust manifold: Fujitsubo SuperEX
Front pipe: Berk
Cat back: Fujitsubo Authorize R Type S (w/ burnt tip)
Oil cooler: Greddy
ECU: Ecutek

A very simple build. Nothing too over-the-top, and definitely a good platform for us to continue damper development on. In fact, the FR-S/BRZ has been one of the best selling of new vehicle platforms for us in terms of suspension sales!

So, if you see him at events, especially around Buttonwillow, don’t hesitate to say hi to him. Better yet, prepare a bunch of technical questions to ask him in case you run into him! He loves that kind of stuff. Apparently.

MotoIQ Visits TEIN USA, Inc.!

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Paul P.

Our friends at MotoIQ decided to stop in and have their Type FLEX coilovers for their Project Supra rebuilt! While they were here, we gave them an inside view of our overhaul process. Not necessarily something we allow the public to see first-hand. But, we are talking about MotoIQ here, guys that like to nerd the hell out on car stuff. We couldn’t easily keep the door closed on them! Lol!!!

This Project Supra of theirs is pretty nuts to begin with. So we were glad to see that they wanted to continue the use of their older Type FLEX coilovers. However, we thought it would be a great idea to update the internals to the newer STREET FLEX setup. So, we had our in-house engineers work closely with the MotoIQ staff to get their dampers to the lastest specifications from TEIN!!

We had our R&D staff take them through our overhaul process and show, from start to finish, what goes into our rebuilds.

After a disassemble of external components (lower brackets, seat locks, upper mounts, springs, dust boots, & bump stops), we can start complete teardown of the damper itself. Our dampers require some unique tools for some parts of disassembly, which is why we do not offer rebuild kits to the public. We ask that all customers send their dampers to us for servicing.

Once completely torn down, we can get to work on the internals. The piston shaft is broken down into several components. Once we can loosen the lower nut on the piston shaft, the piston valve assembly, including all shims and washers, can be removed. These components will be replaced with new ones. Whenever possible, we want to keep rebuild costs as low as possible for our customers, so we will try to reuse components that are still in excellent condition.

Once we can completely assess the condition of all components, we can then get to work on rebuilding. In MotoIQ’s case, we had to make some modifications to make the newest STREET FLEX setup work with their coilovers.

After all the necessary modifications are completed, we completely assemble the dampers, fill with nitrogen, then run them on our damper dyno and make sure they meet performance specification.

All other external components can then be reinstalled and the completed dampers sent back to the customer! All that’s left is to install, check/fix alignment, and enjoy!

We look forward to the next installment from MotoIQ on their Project Supra! They also have our EDFC Active to test out, so we’re sure they’re busy nerding away with that!

Please note that our overhaul and revalve service is available to the public. So, if you have any questions on our overhaul services, please give us a call at 562-861-9161 for more info! We’re glad to help!!!

In the meantime, please visit MotoIQ for some great technical information and follow along on their Project Supra build!

Project Supra Hits 800 WHP!:

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/ID/3766/Project-MKIV-Supra-Part-10–Dyno-testing–we-hit-800-WHP.aspx

Industry Insider: TEIN’s Shock Service:

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/ID/3743/Industry-Insider-Tiens-shock-service.aspx

Toyota Sienna STREET FLEX Dampers

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Sergio M.

Little interest in the past had come for damper kits on minivans in the U.S. If any inquiries, most were for the Honda Odyssey 95-98 RA1 and Toyota Previa (Estima) TCR20/21 90-97.

Many years later and minivan interest has gone up. Why? Utility. Small families need a vehicle with ample room, easy access, and convertibility. However, they need something more economical than the typical Chevy Suburban. The minivan provides that. And these days, minivans are equipped with more than just power windows and am/fm radio. Now, you can find full entertainment systems, passenger HVAC controls, and even individual seats (compared to bench seats). Minivans are starting to look way better than the Conversion Vans of the past (WAY BETTER). So many vehicle manufacturers have learned to grow with the trend, and now there are many minivan offerings.

In Japan, and some other countries in Asia, minivans make a lot of sense, especially for the aforementioned reasons. If you only have room for one vehicle, why not make it a true utility vehicle? As we have been told, minivans are even popular with the younger generation. So, this eventually led to an aftermarket for the minivan crowd. TEIN has been manufacturing damper kits for minivans for years. One of our most popular, but now discontinued, was our HYBRID DAMPER kit, which looked similar to a SUPER STREET/STREET ADVANCE setup but had a hydraulically controlled lower bracket to adjust ride height ~40mm up/down. This gave lowered minivan owners extra ground clearance, especially important for owners who had minivans with body kits (true story; you can see some kitted vans in these pics).

The minivan may not necessarily be badged as the “Soccer Mom” vehicle of choice, with SUV’s, and even crossover SUV’s, having continued to grow in popularity in the U.S., but they’ve been catching on in the U.S. One common inquiry we receive is for the Toyota Sienna. Consumers asked for damper kit availability for this application. Previously, another JDM vehicle model (Toyota Alphard) damper kit had been confirmed to work with the Sienna. However it did have some slight complications with the rear damper mounting assembly angle causing noise issues.

Finally it looks like we may have hit the nail on the head, as damper kits are now being produced for the 2011+ Sienna’s. The product was designed and tested in our TEIN Hong Kong branch. The vehicle was actually an imported U.S. model Sienna, and the current Sienna is also being imported to other countries, including Japan, which gave them a chance to also confirm testing. With these considerations in its favor, we have decided to release a STREET FLEX damper kit.

The STREET FLEX offers a full-length adjustable body, damping force adjustable with EDFC compatibility, and Hardened Rubber Style Uppermount assembly for the front allowing for an increase in steering response and handling compared to the OE mounts, as well as noise dampening for added comfort when compared to coilover systems with the Pillowball Style Uppermount assemblies. As the “STREET FLEX” name implies it was designed for the streets which means a comfortable yet sporty ride for a daily driven minivan.

So now it would be a fight between moms and dads as to who gets to drive low down spec minivan to soccer practice or the grocery store. For further details on this kit please use the weblink below, or contact us direct to 562-861-9161.

http://tein.co.jp/srch/pricelist_e_fromtekigo.php?maker=TOYOTA&carmodel=SIENNA&chassis=GSL30L&skg=TA8&gno=1

Japanese Classic Car Show (JCCS) 2014

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Paul P.

Another year has passed. This time, however, is more like “hurry up and go already!” Why? Because JCCS is just around the corner, and with it comes some of Southern California’s (and some out of state visitors!) finest examples of vintage Japanese cars and motorcycles, and everything in between.

While not always associated with vintage cars, we have made a few applications through our Specialized Damper Service. A program that lets a customer build completely custom suspension to their requirements. Perfect for the old car owners who are having a hard time finding a high quality replacement suspension, or just wants to take their vintage ride racing!

Back to the event- It will be held near the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. as usual. Free to the public, the gates are open from 9a-3p.

Make sure to bring some cash as there will be plenty of vendors selling classic car parts, nostalgic items like old magazines and car-related toys, and we’ll be bringing some goods to sell at discount!

So, stop by and enjoy the beautiful Long Beach weather!

See you there!

See You at 86Fest!

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Paul P.

This year will mark the third consecutive show for 86Fest, and this year will be at a new, yet very familiar, venue (Irwindale Speedway, a.k.a. House of Drift)!!!

Car show, maybe some racing, and plenty of entertainment for all! From Old School (AE86) to the New School. Check it out!

We’ll be in attendance this year and will have our usual goods for sale at discounted prices. We’ll also be bringing some FR-S and BRZ specific parts, so come prepared as many vendors will have some great parts at discounted prices!

86Fest takes place on September 21, 2014. Gates open at 11a til 6p.
Irwindale Speedway is located at

500 Speedway Dr., Irwindale, CA. 91706

See you all there!

Toyota Team Thailand Race at Nurburgring

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Paul P.

Recently, Toyota Team Thailand attended the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. We were fortunate to work with them as their suspension supplier (even though this car is riddled with Bilstein Stickers; Bilstein was an event sponsor), and they even put our EDFC Active Pro to use for this endurance race.

Endurance racing brings a lot of concerns. As you can imagine, running a vehicle for 24 hours straight is bound to take its toll on some components, especially the drivers and team members. But definitely, equipment is put to the ultimate test.

Suspension components are every bit as critical. Dampers go through tens of thousands of cycles for compression and rebound (if not more), eventually heating up the damper oil. It is critical for the dampers to function at a consistent level at all times.

Having EDFC Active Pro definitely helps to negate the effects of heat soak and damper oil degradation. Being able to tune suspension based on their current condition helps to maintain that consistent damping force the driver needs. Otherwise, the driver has to make changes in driving style that may hamper their performance and elapsed time. And in endurance racing, low elapsed times is key.

Here is Mr. Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor Company at the seat of the 2014 Toyota Altis! Just to the lower left (dash center) is our EDFC Active Pro Controller.

Here, the drivers explain a bit about their car. This was the first ever endurance race for the team. This presented them with a huge learning curve for this type of racing.

The Altis is a pretty nice looking car! Wish they had these stateside!

As mentioned, Bilstein is also a sponsor for the event. So, it kind of made it difficult to see TEIN as the suspension supplier. Fortunately, we had a few TEIN and Dampachi decals on the car!

Fortunately, the team saw the race through the end. Out of 241 entries, Toyota Team Thailand finished 109th with a total time of 24:01:41.283. Just a few ticks over the 24 hour mark. Nevertheless, their race was completed!

Congrats to Toyota Team Thailand!

Here’s a video that the team put together:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyaxIZGvdlE

T.O.R.C.’s All ToyotaFest

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Paul P.

For the past couple of years, TEIN has been attending the All ToyotaFest held in Long Beach, CA. at the Queen Mary. The Toyota Owners and Restorers Club (T.O.R.C.) runs the event, one of two events they have at the same location each year.

This Saturday, May 3rd, will be the 19th annual All ToyotaFest. Open to the public from 9a-3p! Check out all the classic and late-model Toyota’s on display. Maybe find some hard to locate parts you needed for your Toyota project? There will also be several vendors on hand!

This is a great opportunity to see Toyota’s of all generations on display, many of which belong to private owners who continue to drive their prized Toyota’s daily! This also attracts crowds of Lexus and Scion owners, and anything that has Toyota-related manufacturing to it.

It’s also a great opportunity to pick up some TEIN goods! We’ll also have some specials on a few suspension kits. So please stop by our tent!

Also, admission is free! That is another great reason to come by and enjoy the Long Beach weather!

See you there!

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.

Japanese Classic Car Show 2013

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Omar A.

What’s up guys!? As you all may know, you can catch me working at all the events that TEIN attends. If you follow my previous blogs, most of them are for events TEIN is planning to attend and updates on events we have attended.

This year we will be attending the 2013 Japanese Classic Car Show . This event will take place on Saturday, September 28th in the city of Long Beach, CA by the Queen Mary. Last year we attended this event and were surprised with the outcome. If you prefer the classics over late models, don’t pass on this show. You will find Datsun’s/Nissan’s, Toyota’s, Honda’s, etc. Visit the link provided below to get further information on this event and to view photos of the previous years.

http://www.japaneseclassiccarshow.com/index.htm

Please check back with is after the event to for our event update.

Toyota Galore

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Sergio M.

On May 3rd we attended the Toyota Owner’s and Restorer’s Club event in Long Beach, CA. There was a wide variety of unique Toyota’s in that event. Some vehicle model names might have be the same, if not familiar names we all know, but the overall look of the vehicles were very different. Some you might not distinguish the make or model. The cool thing about this event was that some people came from far places just to show their vintage or unique vehicles here in California. Some attendees came from Canada, and some even from Mexico. The import thing is that once they were at the event, it was like big happy Toyota family.

Below are some photos we took. We hope you enjoy!

Many thanks to Toyota’s Motorsports division for loaning their custom TEIN-equipped 2013 Lexus GS350 Pace Car and to Abe Ko, owner of the LS460 on TEIN Flex, as they both helped to make our TEIN booth look great!

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