Coilovers vs Shocks/Springs

[pcmx5]

Babalouie,

I wasn't implying that Jap stuff is like that now(i don't have any real contemporary experience other than the Tiens) and I am sure that no one could get away with their previous attitude to suspension technology today!!!!

The \"there was a time' i was referring to was from my experience in the 70's. and 80's. although some friends in the trade reckon they have really only got on the ball in the last few years.

I would have to qualify even that by saying that the works front struts(gas) that I bought for my Lancer rally car were sensational, amazing ride and performance.however they should have been as they were expensive, try $800 a pair when a new Lancer 2 door EL was about $2700!!!! (Circa 1976)

I think the Tokico rears I used were about $100 each.

Peter

[Babalouie]

Oh no Peter my comments weren't directed at you at all

It's just with the strength of the Aussie dollar, importing the Japanese ones might be very cost effective. In Japan, Teins are kinda like how we would view a set of Pedders or Monroe shocks over here, so let's just say that trade price can often be a rather hefty discount over there.

[Brad]

Oh no Peter my comments weren't directed at you at all

It's just with the strength of the Aussie dollar, importing the Japanese ones might be very cost effective. In Japan, Teins are kinda like how we would view a set of Pedders or Monroe shocks over here, so let's just say that trade price can often be a rather hefty discount over there.

But Pedders are the "World Best Shock Absorbers"...or am I not to believe the marketing

[Casey]

Oh no Peter my comments weren't directed at you at all

It's just with the strength of the Aussie dollar, importing the Japanese ones might be very cost effective. In Japan, Teins are kinda like how we would view a set of Pedders or Monroe shocks over here, so let's just say that trade price can often be a rather hefty discount over there.

But Pedders are the "World Best Shock Absorbers"...or am I not to believe the marketing

Well seeing as the springs actually absorb the shock and dampers dampen the spring oscilations, I wouldn't trust the veracity of any claims that their springs are better then Eibachs (for example). As for their dampers being better then Konis, Bilsteins, Teins etc, I highly doubt it.

[Brad]

Well I got my car back this afternoon after having quite a lot of little tasks done. Part of this was the installation of the Racing Beat hollow sway bar. I'm very impressed with that and I've played with the settings of the SS and am on 9 clicks off hard on the front and 11 clicks on the rear, effectively 8/16 and 6/16 with 16 being the hardest and 1 being the softest. Really liking the ride now. I originally was keeping the front stiff to retain the alive feel of the front, now with the new sway bar I can run a softer setting and have much better feel at the front.

[Ted]

The NB MX5 that was the test mule for Fulcrum belongs to someone on this forum. Unfortunately I cannot tell you what was changed from the Jap spec unit as I was not privvy to the shock dyno graphs. Spring rates are the same though I think. I also had the DC2 TypeR mule, and there were a couple of changes there. I have Eibachs and Bilsteins on our NB, and the Teins are way better. Just comes down to getting those shocks valved correctly. As another idea, another forum member here got Teins for their NC, and feedback to Fulcrum resulted in fitting different springs to what they came with. Laptimes seem to show that it works better now.

I recently went through it again for the 6MPS. The changes from the Jap Mazda 6 kit were huge. Not just spring rates (we have some heavy springs in there now), but also shock rates and even to the extent of lengthening the shaft to get more travel (droop). As I wanted to run some ride height rather than dropping it on its nuts, they had to work fairly hard to keep some droop (ended up with well over 100mm). I think the production unit may end up with a helper spring to keep it captive.

So, I ended up with a luxo barge that now turns in really well, lots of grip and extremely compliant.

[Kvision]

I'm getting my SS from Repco.
Their retail price is $1916 though, but im using my 20% off voucher.
However, this puts it at below their cost price so Im getting it at their cost price, which is still really good.

[Okibi]

well this thread has turned into a total tein love fest !

My Flex are Jap Spec. (Thanks Mr DriftFury) , lovin them so far.

[wun911]

Are there any other benifits to Tein SS apart from the spring being matched to the shok and the adjustable height etc

Are the Tein SS ligher than OEM suspension?

Will the Tein SS last longer then the OEM ie > 100,000 km?

Do the Tein SS come with the top hats or do you have to reuse the OEM ones?

[Brad]

Are there any other benifits to Tein SS apart from the spring being matched to the shok and the adjustable height etc

Are the Tein SS ligher than OEM suspension?

Will the Tein SS last longer then the OEM ie > 100,000 km?

Do the Tein SS come with the top hats or do you have to reuse the OEM ones?

I'd say they are the same weight, a little under 20kg for all 4.

At $1700 I would hope so. Probably similar to the Bilsteins though

Yeah, they come with top hats, but not pillow ball mounts which are needed if you are running high camber. Generally only the race guys need pillowball mounts. These also make the ride harsher as they replace the bush from the top of the shock. If you were going for more camber, then you also need the special Superpro bushes.

[Babalouie]

I wonder what kind of upper mounts you get with the Jap ones?

The Japanese ones come both ways. The base model SS comes without any top mounts at all, and the SS with the tops are about $200ish more expensive.