As a noob in this area, I must say I'm totally confused by the many options available among full coilover sets, let along spring/shock combos like the Koni / Comptech options. I have only been in 1 TSX with a modified suspension, it was the A-Spec on a 2006. I was impressed by its stiffer handling and the tighter cornering that went along with it. Along with a small drop (nothing aggressive) I'm looking for improved cornering and perfomance driving handling. I'm willing to sacrifice a little bumpiness to get it.

Assuming that I decide to go for a coilover set like Teins, I undertand that purchasing the more expensive ones gets you more options, but it seems they talk about softer ride or smoother ride, isn't that the opposite of what performance driving coilovers should be about?

As I look to make a decision on how to lower my car and get that stiffer a-spec feel (or even better, hopefully) I feel I need a refresher on exactly what the difference is between the Tein Basics, Flex, Super Streets, and Koni shock w/ other springs options are.

I'm not keen on spending much more than $500 here, so the Basics seem like the option for me. Does it sound like the koni shock w/ spring option would suit my needs for cheaper, or what do I gain by spending more $ to move up to the super streets or something ridiculous like the Buddy Clubs?

 

sounds like you would be better off with basics. the basics have height adjustment, while the super streets (SS) have both height and damping adjustment.

what are your requirements for your suspension? a neuspeed/koni spring/shock combo might work for you too.

in terms of comfort level, it's been said that tanabe's are the closest to oem settings, while teins are slightly more stiffer.

make a search, you'll have no problem finding your answers...

 

Smoother ride... why not?

If you can get performance + smooth ride all at once, that's the best thing in the world. Tein SS and Buddy Clubs are all geared more toward taking the car to the tracks cuz of dampen adjustment. Tein Basics and Tanabes are more for street. While Tein Flexes & Buddy Club Racing Specs are for pimps/players that want the fly

Sounds like u dont mind the stiffer ride, and with the budget, Tein Basics is the best choice for you imho.

KC

 

I am in about the exact same boat as you are with this except i have already put lowering springs on my car (Eibach pro kit). I made a post to get some guys opinions and also talked to MrHeelToe and i am around 90-95% sold on getting the Tein Basics to finish off the suspension.

I think that is going to get the best bang for the buck that your looking for as well!

 

dont forget to complete the tein basics (which is roughly $700) you would also need a camber kit ($130), installation ($100 to $200 depending on the shop) and an alignment (I got it for $60) so it is not quite the $500 you are talking about

but it is well worth the money

 

So the basics don't have any dampening adjustments at all? I thought they had some.

I suppose that for all that money, I thought you would be able to adjust it some. kaikai is right, of course I would prefer the best of both worlds. Maybe what I'm really looking into here is what its going to take to get there. I don't want my ride to get too much bouncier than OEM, but what I do want is the stiffer shocks for performance driving (ala, the aspecs I rode on). I was most impressed by the cornering advantage they gave, and I would like to achieve that on my ride with whatever I go with.

 

I know I'll need a camber kit on top of whatever I choose. I'm comfortable installing them myself (maybe with a little help, but no need for a shop). + Alignment.

So it sounds more like $1000 to do this right then, assuming I choose something more than the Basics. Yikes. I'll prolly still do it, it'll just have to hold off a little longer until I can justify that much $$ into suspension only. My entire i/h/c w/ pulleys setup barely costs $1000. I do hope it is 'well worth the money' in the end.

I'd still like suggestions and input into setups people think i might like.

 

I do believe suspension upgrade on any car (especially one that has a good platform for handling like the tsx) is one of the most crucial upgrade area, as it could drastically improve the dynamics of a car, and also improve its appearance (with a quality set of wheels). If you dont plan on tracking your car, the tein basics is truly a perfect street upgrade (thats what I have) for the price
With a set of proper wheels (right width, weight, and offset) you basically set the coilovers to a height level that you wont scrape/bottom out and you wont have to worry about a thing forever good luck and update us with your suspension upgrade in the future

 

I completely agree and you just helped push me more into getting the Tein basics as well. What is the ride height that you set them to? you really got a shop to install it for like 100-200 bucks, or did you do it yourself?

 

My car is dropped 2.25" all around (that leaves roughly half a finger gap, both front and back) but I might have to raise it up a bit once my euro R kit arrives. I ordered my tein coilovers/ingalls rear camber kit from www.machiii.net (it is a local shop to me in San Francisco) and it was $990 installed, out of the door

 

wow, that is awesome bro!! I already have the ingalls installed from when i put the pro kit on, but i feel like the stockers are going to blow out everytime i go over the train tracks and it bouncy me from Philly to NY every morning and evening...lol.

I already have the OEM body kit on there and i feel like i am just at the safe height with the pro kit and i feel like even if i went with the standard 2" front and 1.6" rear with the body kit, i would be scrapping a lot.

You don't have any issues with your tires/wheels hitting the wheel well while turning or anything like that all either?

 

negative sir, 2 weeks ago we had a little local TSX meet.. and to show the guys how good the tein basics are I give 3 of them a ride (so we are rolling 4 deep) and I intentionally sped up at the railroads to show them how firm the ride is (no scraping, bottoming out, etc)
you'll be very happy with the teins =)

 

That price is really high for the Tein's, I know you've already got them, but anyone else considering them should check out our board vendors.

 

If your referring to his $990, i think that was the tein's, ingalls, and install which all considering, itsn't that bad. That is only like $160-$180 install for both the tein's and ingalls which i'd say is pretty good!

evo_to_tsx -
4 people and you were all straight huh? WOW!! I wouldn't have thought would work that well but i guess i will be ok then. Thanks for all your input man, i appreciate it!

 

Man . . . I should have asked for a ride

 

i heard that teins are prone to rust, so dont get them wet or expose them to oxygen.

 

^
............

 

hah

 

turoneatpinoy: let me know if you plan to mod the car anytime soon... i know a few bay area shops for the hook ups =) also you can take a ride in my car before you decide which suspension you want


jwood: you're welcome man... let us know when u have your new suspension!

feelgood: yea i had the same concern but according to mr. heeltoe the new teins have some sort of anti rust coating ... not to mention that im not too worried about the problem since im in cali.. but thanks =)

 

Thanks for the offer but it might be a while till I start modding because I'm still job hunting and have no money for mods