Does anyone have H-techs on OEM Type-S shocks? I have a set of Koni Yellows but I'm wondering if I can get away with the stock shocks since there is just a mild drop with the H-techs and just sell the Konis. Also, as a side note, has anyone put a 225/45 tire on a TL-S rim? Any problems? I'm thinking of going with Toyo Proxy 4s.

 

You can run the High Techs on the OEM shocks with no problem. The issues is how many miles are currently on your suspension. When you lower a vehicle (put on shorter springs) you shorten the life of the shock b/c it is not traveling like it did before. It now has less travel. So it is smart to replace them while you are there but it is not necessary. PM me if you need a price on the High Techs.

 

I agree with Excelerate -- if you're changing out the springs, you might as well change out the shocks -- only pay for labor once (as opposed to twice). Since the OEM Type-S rims are 6.5" rims, 215 is the max width we can 'safely' recommend on them. 225 requires a minimum of 7" rims. I'm sure you'll find a shop that will put them on but most places won't do it. My

 

I do agree with Derrick and Excelerate on replacing the shocks and the springs at the same time as the FIRST choice and you are not concerned about the labor cost (doing installs twice perhaps), the life expectancy of the shock, and perhaps ride quality( but this isn't a big issue since the H.Tech springs do not have high, inherent spring rates to them). Of course, if you find a cheap place to replace the springs on OEM shocks or you do it yoursellf, it can always be a possibility but the former route to go with changing the pair, shock/spring combo, is more ideal.

If you are curious, as far as ride quality and handling goes, I have ridden in TL-S with H.Tech springs on stock TLS stocks and it is more or less the same as stock TL-S ride quality, except that it is lowered with H.Tech springs; his car had 19"inch wheels with 225/35/19 tires and still rode well. If you had a TL-P, I don't know if those weaker shocks will accomodate the H.Tech springs though, since those shocks are noticeably more for luxury, but the TL-S's shocks should be adequate.

 

how much drop does the h give u? r they new? cuz havent seen much bout em be4...saw about 1 inch drop from another site, and tein site doesnt show em...

 

It does say on Tein website:

Under "springs"
H.Tech Springs

Acura 3.2 TL UA5

Front:
Spring rate 4.8/268
-1.5 Drop

Rear:
Spring rate 2.5/140
-1


Also on this page under "Luxury Master High Tech":
H.Tech


Yes they are fairly new, if compared to the longer established springs like Comptech, Eibach, H&R for our Acuras. I believe the H.Tech springs are second for the mildest drop in our cars, besides H&R OE springs which drop it about 1" all around if memory servers me right.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'll put on the Konis or I may buy a set of Tokicos instead and sell the Konis. I'm just second guesing using the Konis.

 

I already got them from you Again, thanks for the great service!!

 

LOL. Well then have fun!!!

 

another question

could u cut the springs to make ano ther half inch drop? or is that riskin it wit the weight of our cars...mind you u slap em on tokico blues/yelo


thx for post above M03TLS

 

Don't EVER cut springs. That is downright dangerous. Another guy posted about heating springs up with a blowtorch so they'd bend and lower the car. Just 'cause people do it on their Civic or whatever car ... springs were not engineered to be cut / tampered / etc. Period.

 

PenancE,

You're welcome for the previous post.

I agree with Derrick. I wouldn't mess around with cutting springs because it's "cool" or saves money; If it was a junkier car and you wanted to experiment, then it might be okay but to do it on a sports-sedan, it's pretty foolish and it will compromise your handling characteristics too. The most half-properly done job for modifying the height is to change to aftermarket springs with stock oem shocks ( knowing that you risk blowing or premature wearing of the shocks); even then, you have to take into consideration the factors already mentioned before if you change springs alone, such as having to do your suspension again because you didn't "pair" them , shock/spring, properly to begin with, the waste of time, money, and effort.

 

Watch our for H-Tech, your front is going to look higher than your rear because you will still have about 3 finger gap in the front...that's what I have.

I am looking to replace the front w/ S-tech if I found a good used on on the black market...

 

Anyone else have this problem? Do you have pics? Anyone have pics of a TL-S on H-techs?

 

Yup. I think H-Tech's were only intended for non-Type-S TLs because of this uneven drop. It only seems to drop 1" in the front as opposed to 1.5". You will be left with a 3 finger gap in the front and a tight 2 finger gap in the rear.

 

I have pics of mine, but it seems ImageShack is undergoing maintenance right now.

 

phew im glad i held off on ordering them this week. maybe i will get the tanabes. i do really want to see pics when they become available.
thanks

 

heres my car with the Htechs. Also what shocks give the best ride with the H techs???

https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/happy-birthday-juniorbean-125612/

https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/networking-123912/

 

bout how heavy do you think that trunk setup is? i have 2 12's in a smaller box, and one semi big amp. i really want the hieght to be even front and rear. i wanted to compare.
thanks

 

Actually that looks pretty good. Its flat.

 

The subbox alone is 120lbs..... And the amps are really heavy to.... Also the whole car is dynamatted to.

 

damn. is there a huge diff sound wise with all the dynamat? i was just gonna do the trunk. so i assume with lighter audio htechs would sag less for me.

 

I live in Attleboro now, but I lived in RI most of my life so I know what the roads are like around here. Personally I am going with H-tech with Tokico blues. I like how the drop evens out the car all the way around. The H&R Sports will still give you a slightly larger gap in the front than the back. Again very slight, but I am anal about these things. I would stay away from the S-techs (-2.1 in the front is way too much IMO) because of the roads around here, and I have heard that the ride is a bit harsh on the S-techs. Please keep in mind that I have an OEM body kit on my car so it will be slightly lower than yours. I have read about these spring and their drops a lot in the last few weeks because this is my next and final mod. Your Photo-Shop skills just proves to me what I had thought about each of the springs you simulated. (Thanks, BTW) The H-techs even the car out all the way around and you won't have to worry about the car being too low for around here. That's my I will be installing this in the next week or so (I hope) Good luck! BTW...where in RI are you?...Are you going to the meet on April 23rd?

 

H-techs + Koni Yellows. Rear slightly lower than front.

 

i dont see it in your sig but do you have audio in the trunk? or is that the natural stance?

 

Bone stock audio. Bose is good enough to my untrained ears. (Ignorance is bliss!) However, I did notice a significant difference in my bro's former C32 with the audiophile package.

 

beautiful car btw, very classy. sick color

 

Thanks for the compliment ... eternal blue pearl. Canadian Type-S exclusive colour for 2002. Then the TL-P in MY2003 came out in the same colour. Sad thing ... Civics come in that colour ... pissed me off that Honda uses the same paint across the board.

We never could get aegean blue pearl here... except for the limited edition A-spec or the 6MT CL-S.

 

Derrick, I think the stance on your car is exactly what I'm after. I think I'll be happy with it, I'm going to stick with the Konis and H-Techs. And by the way, I just picked up a set of SSR GT1s on e-bay tonight!!!! 18x7.5 +45 w/ tires!!

 

I agree, even though Derrick says the rear is lower than the front. Both wheel well gaps seem exactly equal to me, with perfectly even spacing around the entire tire. I prefer that more than extreme lowering.

 

yeah when i see it on derricks car, it looks almost perfect. but i do see a difference. and i have audio stuff that isnt the heaviest out there, but its got some mass to it. that will make it a little more noticable. if it was more even off the bat, they would be on my car already. honestly i just wanna see a few pics of tanabes on someones car. that will seal the deal for me. but i have searched all over and have not seen any or have links that still work. someone help us out here!!!!

 

i was the one who heated up my springs, and yeah, i put on h-techs soon after. was just an experiment, doesn't hurt to try and live and learn does it?

derrik, even with koni shocks... does it still ride close to factory? cuz with h-techs on factory shocks, it IS close factory. i was just considering shocks too, just didn't want to lose too much of the ride.

 

u got pics? please post if you do.

 

I really like the drop i was thinking of getting tein's for my car and now i just might be convinced

 

I think the reason why the rear looks lower is the front fender opening is a bit higher than the rear.

 

of the car with the h-tech? sure, let me take some pictures and post under the photograph gallery, look for title "TL REBORN" in the next few days.

 

I have the Konis at 3/4 of a turn on each corner (max: 3 turns ... max stiffness). It definitely rides stiffer than OEM Type-S shocks. I prefer it that way -- not bone-jarring stiff but you can feel the imperfections in the road. I'm sure if I went with no turns (ie softest setting) it would be more foregiving but what's the point in Koni Yellows? You might as well go with a Tokico Blues or Whites (Illuminas) -- lower cost and less stiff.

 

thanks

 

Derrick sweet color and nice car

 

I am leaning towards the H. Teins now too with stock shocks for now because I'll be getting 18inch rims. I have OEM body kit. Will I need camber kit? You guys with the Teins and 18s did you need to cut the rubber tab thing? Rubbing? Thanks in advance!