Hey everone ~ i have been searching for
informations on tein dampers, i searched this
board and severarl people had it

most of you have Tein Flex,
i am just wondering what's the difference
between Flex, CS, & Super sport since
they all have 16 levels of adjustment !?
but the pricing are different as well ~~
which one will fit 350z the best ??~
thx ~~

 

+1 I would like to know the difference, looks like I bent a strut in my contact with a curb

 

They will all fit the Z the same, read below to see if they fit what you want out of the car to see which one fits YOU best.

Tein Flex (twin tube construction, adjustable dampners
Full-length adjustment and height adjustment for separate setting of the height and spring preload (important feature, other Teins do NOT have the abilitiy to alter ride height and not effect preload and piston travel)
Can use Teins EDFC in car dampner adjustment system
672/672 F+114% R+98
Transfers +16% roll stiffness to front
Side Note: Extremely high spring rates mean even when the adjustable damping is set as low as possible, you may not find ride quality happiness IF ride quality is of concern, several reports of this setups harshness exist Yet a few owner comment’s of a “like stock ride quality” also exist. However given the fact that they use a spring stiffness that’s over 100% stiffer then oem, if ride quality is of concern, either hitch a ride in a car equipped with them or make a different choice. In addition, several review’s have been done by people actually having the original more softly sprung Tein Flex coilovers do not take their comments to mean the same as the one using the current product, the original product specs are listed below under Tein Flex JDM.

Tein Flex JDM specs (can be special ordered est 6-8 weeks delivery)
Full-length adjustment and height adjustment for separate setting of the height and spring preload
Can use Teins EDFC in car dampner adjustment system
560/560 F+78% R+64%
Transfers 14% roll stiffness to front
Side Note: This is the original specs first offered in the U.S. with the Flex, shortly after it’s introduction the specs changed to those listed further above (672/672)


Tein Basic (twin tube construction, non adjustable dampners )
504/504 F+61% R+43%
Transfers +18% roll stiffness to front
Side Note: Excellent value at it’s price point, a budget performance coilover with several excellent owner reviews

Tein SS (twin tube construction, adjustable dampners )
(JDM only at this time. 6-8 weeks delivery, come via ship)
392/314-392 (rear’s are progressive)
F+25% R+15% at peak
Special Note: Tein USA had told me that they were working on a specific version of the SS for the USDM, the imformation I got said it would have the same spring rates as the U.S. Basic. I was even told a development car was running around in LA. But, in a latter phone call I was told, "were not doing or planning a SS coilover for the Z in the US, who did you talk to",........since nothings been released I don't know what to think.


Tein CS (Monotube constructionad, adjustable dampners )
Special Note: A comfort ride system compare to HKS LS, in conversations with Tein, they are valved and sprung for comfort. Those looking for performance should make a different choice. If you buy them and they are too soft for you, revalving them is a LOT more expensive then revalving other Tein Coilovers.
Can use Teins EDFC in car dampner adjustment system
392/392 F+25% R15%
Transfers +10% roll stiffness to front

 

so its the Tein CS that would be best for ride quality?

 

CS is geared for overall comfort yes - very nice ride to these. However I've driven a few cars with the Basic's to, and ride quality was also excellent

 

then my next question is are the cs worth getting just for the adjustability capable with the EDFC?

Or are the basics just fine?

 

that is a question only you can answer.

what are you using the car for?

 

Daily driver, but I want the ability to go to the track with it

 

track as in?

 

as in the organized events on a course? That what you mean?
Perhaps time trials, mostly just fun.

 

Flex might be your best bet overall

 

only if basic can do edfc....

 

Whenever someone say's what you said above, that pretty much should rule out the flex. Only MAYBE if the JDM version is ordered or the USDM version is equipped with 10Kg springs for $330 extra. Even then, that's not a certain guarantee to be the correct choice for someone specifically requesting ride quality. We shouldn't let ourselves get into a rut with brand loyalty, in this case you have a example of being inbetween product offerings. Which is where I find myself. Flex is too stiff, I don't want to wait for the JDM Flex to be shipped from Japan and the CS is too soft, too comfort driven.

Franky if someone wants a track and street ride comfort coilover system. I would recommend the HKS RS. It is a Monotube coilover system specifically created to the track and street ride comfort. If you need to adjust the dampners for the track the HKS dampners can be adjusted with out much difficulity when you get to the track.

HKS RS (Monotube construction, adjustable dampning)
448/448 F+43% R+31%
Transfers 12% roll stiffness to the front
Special Note: “Marketed” as HKS’s track coil over with a good street ride

Also Bilstien's Pss and Pss9 coilovers also come to mind Only thing I don't like are the rear progressive springs they use, but one could override that with a easy $100 fix.

Bilstein PSS coil over (Monotube construction, non adjustable dampners)
Special Note: Mild spring rates, but Bilstein says the dampners are performance valved
370/240-420 (rear progressive) F +18% R +23% (at peak rear spring rate)
Transfers +5% roll stiffness to rear

Bilstein PSS9 coilover (Monotube construction, adjustable dampners)
Special Note: Mild spring rates, but Bilstein says the dampners are performance valved
370/240-420 (rear progressive) F +18% R +23% (at peak rear spring rate)
Transfers +5% roll stiffness to rear


On the Tein CS. If your goal is to just have fun on the track, but not to really try and beat anyone else's time, the CS would be fine. They aren't valved or setup to be track warriors, but they will offer superior dampning control to oem that will be felt within the first 2 blocks of your first ride and drive.

 

Since the Basic starts out in life having non adjustable dampners, that would not be possible. But, the JDM Tein SS coilover is a adjustable Basic with different spring rates. According to Tein Japan's web site the SS coilover can be modified to use EDFC.

I sincerly hope Tein brings the SS coilover to the U.S. with the same spring rates of the U.S. market Basic, something they initially told me they were in the process of doing, but latter claimed to know nothing about

 

Having just installed an HKS RS set to a customers Z, I can attest to the fact that it is an awesome setup - very adjustable, and great ride quality. Only downside it had vs some of the competition was the lack of dual height adjustment up top. However, their rear spring perch design (G you can attest to this I am sure if you have seen them), is as nice as it gets IMHO. I'll probably be switching to these rear perches on my Cuscos

 

hmm lots to think about, thanks everyone for the advice and discussion

 

Tein BASIC is like stock but more responsive and less jolty...

If someone wants a more aggressive then stock set up with ride height adjustment... I would recomend this...

CS most people end up saying it is too soft even on the highest damping force level... Great for every day driving, but on the track or twisties it could feel like a cadillac...

Flex is a more aggressive then stock set up that can be very stiff when at highest damping force setting but just a little bit stiffer then stock onthe softest setting... good for the aggressive street driver and occasional track event...

HKS Hipermax II (replaced with RS)... 30 levels of damping adjustment with easly adjustable damping from out side of the car... softest damping is softer then stock, stiffest is stiffer then the FLEX... IMHO the best all round suspension for the Z... very durable...


Now. .keep in mind other spring rates are availble for the TEIN suspensions as well as the HKS...

here is alink to some of the other Tein springs available...

you can put lighter or higher spring rates on your flex / cs / or basic suspension... but if you go more then a certain amount you will need to revalve the shock...

http://www.performancenissanparts.co...?cPath=292_857

 

HKS Hipermax II- "softest damping is softer then stock, stiffest is stiffer then the FLEX" these sound like money but that EDCF on the tein sounds awsome.


Anychance of modifying the tein CS with ? springs to stiffen them up to perhaps perform like the HKS?


perhaps my holy grail of suspension kits does not exist and I should just ditch an attempt at having a stiff track suspension and take to driving on the street permanently. Or I could go the other way with that and devote my car to hardcore street driving and go with the flex.

Regardless I need to order some coilovers, just found out that my last touch with the curb bent a strut.

 

yes you can get a stiffer spring for the CS to make it stiffer...

If we take the spring rate from 391lbs (7kg) like it comes out of the box...

We can make the front up to 9kg without re-valving the shock (504lbs/in) which is about 3 kg less then the Tein Flex...

The Rear springs I will have to have custom made from TEIN since they are special for the 350z.

But it can be done...

When I am on the track, I keep the rear suspension at the next to softest setting on my HKS Hipermax II and the front at the stiffest setting...

 

after thinking about it for a while... I prob wont end up on the track very much. I will just be driving around and besides a few short jaunts through the twisties. I think the Tein Flex with the EDFC unit will prob suit me. Would be okay with stiffer springs in the front for now or is that a tuning mess?


The price listed on your site looks like pretty much the best bet.

I need to find out a few more things before a pull the trigger on this one.