Hello everyone. I'm new with my first post. I love this site I been visiting this site for a year but I did not have a TSX until now Im buying a used 2006 TSX that already have oem body kit and some aftermarket tires (225/18/40) and 18” wheels with 40 offset.

I want to lower the car either on Tein flex or Tein super street. I am leaning towards Tein-Flex since it has a more aggressive drop (but not sure).

1)Do you guys recommend TEIN - Flex or TEIN - Super Street
2)Does TEIN Flex come with every thing I need. Meaning do I need to buy extra stuff to make the TEIN Flex fit on my car
3)It is my first experience with adjustable suspensions. Please can you tell me if it is difficult to adjust the ride’s height since I have no experience?
4)Would the car rub on the 225/18/40 tires and 18’ wheels with 40 offset and flex drop
5) what is the best price on flex

Please post pictures of TSX on Tein Flex. Thank you my friends

 

hey, welcome to the forum, if you do a search you can find some great threads on the difference between the street and the flex series, basically the flex has a little more tweaking so if you plan on auto-x events it might be a benefit for you...

good luck

 

There is a HUGE difference between the SS and Flex. Most significantly in type and dampening. The Flex is independently adjustable, all-in-one package, while the SS requires new top hats, or the re-use of your OEM ones. Also, the Flex is stiff! Like, super stiff, maybe even twice the spring rate and dampening of the SS. Both feature adjustable dampening, but you won't make the Flex as soft as the SS, or vice versa.

I'm moving this thread to our Suspension forum, which is where it belongs. Please use your account to use our "Search" feature. Type in keywords like "Tein Flex" and "Tein Super Stree" and you'll get tons of great threads (with pictures!) of how low they can go and people's opinions on them.

Good luck!

 

Thank you guys. and please forgive me for posting in the wrong place

I have the 06 oem body kit does this mean that I can not take advantage of the flex sharp drop? Meaning the the Tein-Flex will be a waste of money since I wont be able to lower my car beyond what the Tein-ss can do for me?

 

Lowering with the factory bodykit shouldn't be a problem. Problem is those damn speedbumps!



I raised it a bit, and this is how it looks now:

 

etarui, your car looks very very nice !!!
Are those Mugen wheels 18" or 19" ?

 

thank you thank you. I am very thankful to you guys. I seriously know very little about suspensions and wheels
Do you think the tires (225/18/40) and wheels (18” /7.5 width/ 40 offset) has to go once I install my Tein-flex.
In other words will the car rub since the wheel offset is low and the width is 0.5 inch more then stock wheel ( I am planning lowering the car 2”+)

 

I think you'll be fine with no rub.
http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp
this shows the outer position of the wheel extends 21mm more
than the original wheel.
It extends almost like my 8x17 ET48 wheel . And I have no rubbing issue .

 

I want those rims sooooooooooooooooooooo badly lol

 

how is the ride is it smooth, and other question how do your rasied it up. I am in the status of buying some Flex after me buying some gay ass Ksport.

 

Tein website claims that Tein SS will drop the TSX 2” (back) and 1.6” (front)
It also claim that the height is adjustable from -0.5" to -3.3" (Front) & -0.6" to -2.4" (Rear)

1)can the Tein SS really achieve a drop of 3”+ (front) and 2”+ (back) ?

2)If I do the maximum drop on Tein SS does this mean that the ride will be the stiffest ever.
(Meaning the low I go on Tein SS the stiffer the ride and the high I go the more comfortable the ride? or is that not true since damping is adjustable)

Thank you for the help

 

Anyone know? please help

 

I think you first need to figure out what you want that suspension for. For all of their coilover setups, Tein has a recommended ride height that exists to create optimal suspension geometry given the new strut and spring. Just because you can doesn't mean you should, and if you just want to run around slammed on Teins don't expect ride or handling quality (sure, it'll be better than stock, but it's not optimal.) If you're going for the slammed look, I'd say save your money and drop some springs on the OEM struts or, if you're feeling baller, just bust out the cash for an air suspension.

 

Ride quality is very good. I have it set relatively soft. I think my 335i on stock sport suspension is actually a bit stiffer. Changing the height isn't too bad. The rears were actually more difficult than the fronts, because there was a lot of tension on my RSB with the ride slammed.

HOWEVER - I would recommend finding the height you want, which may take multiple attempts, and then get the car aligned. Once aligned, you shouldn't alter the height again, unless you need to, because you will need to get the car aligned again...just my $0.02.

If I had to do it again, I would actually just get the basics, since I don't mess around with the dampening.

 

I'm running 225/40/18 on the Mugen NR's. I believe they are +44, so +40 shouldn't be a problem since there is still quite a bit of room with my setup.

Good luck.

 

etarui you been a good help. I am not sure how lowered you ride is but the Basics will only give you a drop of 2” front and 1.6 inch back is that what you are lowered to on the Tein flex?

I read several reviews on here. Lots of members have Basic and they wish they got SS or flex instead
On the other hand you have flex and you would think Basic would have been your choice if you were to pick again?????

If I were to lowere my car 2"+ all arounf am I better of lowered 2"+ on SS or Flex?
Everyone thanks for your input. I am here if someone has anything to add.

 

Be careful here!

There is not a HUGE difference really...FLEX and SS actually use the same basic damper setup. The FLEX comes with higher spring rates and pillow mounts, but not double!

Basic SS come with 10/6 fr/rr kg springs. Flex comes with 14/8. This is a noticeable difference but in no way makes the FLEX a non-streetable kit! Actually for the performance ability the ride is quite good (all things considered).

Also, the SS on full stiff is going to be pretty similar to the FLEX on full soft. I don't like to really make that comparison since the springs themselves are not going to change, but it draws some questions of validity to your claim.

Marcus

 

Hey Mike!

1) Yes
2)No, but you might bottom out. Lowering the suspension in this way does not make it stiffer, but you will hit the bump stops. When this happens, the car won't feel good. You can get away with it this low over a lot of surfaces, but I suggest considering 2.75" the max. You can get 3"+ with the FLEX.


Marcus

 

I put this little page together to help people decide:

http://heeltoeauto.com/httech/YaBB.pl?num=1172765411

Marcus

 

As always, thanks Marcus. My comments are based only on ownership impressions, and Marcus is absolutely correct to (more accurately) compare the spring rates.

I should also mention that I have only owned Flex and CS, and my SS comments are based on riding in an SS equipped TSX, so I might have been more accurate to state that to me, the Flex on full soft is stiffer than the CS on full stiff. The CS features even softer spring rates than the SS (I believe!).

Flex is still absolutely streetable, and many people would prefer the ride it offers over both OEM and softer aftermarket options. My only caution is that it is a stiff ride, and is not for everyone.

 

Reach, don't worry, although you were technically off on the double spring rate comment I can understand what you are saying.

Just a few comments:

- TEIN SS are a shortened damper setup with 2 perches to adjust ride height and you reuse your OE upper mounts. Marcus commented on their spring rates.
- TEIN FLEX are a shortened damper setup with 3 perches: 2 lock the spring in place to "pre-load" the spring and the lower perch is there to lock in the aluminum housing to actually raise or lower the car. The FLEX ride height is adjusted by moving that lower housing up and down b/c the damper is fully threaded unlike the SS which is only partially threaded. The FLEX also comes with aluminum upper mounts with pillowball upper mounts.

To the OP, I don't have a TSX but I can comment specifically on the difference between the two setups on my cars. I have a 99 Accord turbo with TEIN SS and a 07 Civic Si with TEIN FLEX. Again, this will be relative b/c they aren't the TSX nor the same car. I have the TEIN SS with basically the standard drop and on 6 clicks from the firmest in the F and the same in the R. It is a very streetable setup with some give but enough to improve handling significantly and get rid of that floaty feeling common in that car. I also have TOYO T1-S's on that car - 225/40ZR18

On my 07 Civic Si I have the TEIN FLEX. They are fully threaded as I mentioned above and I have them on the standard drop. The damping settings are middle of the road, 8 and 8. The FLEX has significantly less give, probably due mostly to the upper mounts. The car has a more direct feeling and handles very well but it takes bumps very harshly. I don't know what your roads are like but CT roads aren't that great in some areas and the suspension reacts pretty firmly to the roads. I also have an Ingalls Engine Torque damper so that could possibly affect it too. I have a TOYO T1-R's 225/40ZR18 on this car also.

So yes as Reach said they are more firm. They are still streetable as my cars are only street cars but the FLEX can be used on the track or street. SS are a little more of a daily driver setup.

 

So, how would you describe the feeling of the CS? I am waiting to drive a car with these...The CS is softer sprung than the SS, but the monotube design and MSV vale should have resulted in great handling. can you elaborate?

 

Very good information. Thank you to all of you
Marcus thank you a lot, I just sent you email and waititng for you to respond back.

 

Thanks!

 

I wana hear from you guys
Tein SS or Tein Flex

 

Hey there man, I think you'd be pretty happy either way. But decide soon, the prices are increase at the end of the month!

Marcus

 

I want to lower my car on flex to achive Zero gap. So would the car rub on the 225/18/40 tires and 18’ wheels 40 offset.
Can someone help me with this

 

If you're mostly going to track your car then FLEX is good, but if you want more a comfortable ride and do more daily driving then go with the SS.

.02

 

thx for the advise. Im leaning towards SS. flex is out of the picture

 

This is a little bit exaggerated....the FLEX is good for the track and the street. "Mostly see track" in my mind indicates a weekend track day fun car, which I am sure this is not. And for that application the FLEX is only adequite.

The SS will also perform well on the track but at a lower performance level of the FLEX. Either is good for the street. But if you value performance over overall comfort the FLEX is great for the street. Those wishing for an advancement over the stock or A-Spec in performance with minimal/moderate ride compromise, the SS is perfect.



So I agree with this comment in general, but one should not make the mistake of calling the FLEX a "track" setup. It is probably decent on the track, at best.

Marcus