Pegon95

So I have a 08 TL Type S with 174k km and I think it's time to upgrade the suspension to Tein SA. Now my questions are this:

1) is it worth it in the winter even if you not that low? Is the coilover design will have its cons over the original strut design on ice and snow?

2) I have zero knowledge about coilovers so my question is this, do I need an alignment even if I'm not slammed ?

3) and my last question is this, is Tein SA suspension plus aftermarket rear sway bar will make the ride too stiff? Or is it either one over the other ?

96SC4

the threads on the coils can get caked with salt...just keep them clean and you'll be fine.
advantage to them is you can raise car up for winter(if you wanted to)

yes, you'll need an alignment

Tein SA is what i'd get(if i wasn't planning on selling soon).
others like BC too...

k.landaulet

Hey, I live in toronto as well, I've had my Tein SS on my Accord a year ago and drove them through winter pretty slammed, Just make sure to put anti seize around the coils. I Just removed them this spring and put then on my TL no problems what so ever after a year and half and through our rough winter. However if you could i'd upgrade to the Tein SS that way you can control the softness and stiffness of the ride with it's 32 way dampening system.

polobunny

I know exactly 0 people who actually raise them for winter. They all say they will, but nobody does.

TacoBello

Yup. Everyone always say they will. And never do. It takes several days to get your ride height setup just right. Trial and error, over and over. Once it's done you won't want to do it again.

Because I daily drive my car, I'm okay with a bit of a drop all aorund, but getting too aggressive sucks, at least for me. I like to corner hard. Going too low will negatively impact that- you have the potential for rubbing or scraping on uneven surfaces, etc.

But again, a mild drop in Canada is no big deal. You'll have to be a bit more careful when coming up driveways or steep ramps- it's easy though- just drive at a bit of an angle and you'll be a-ok. Speed bumps may be a hassle too if you go to low, but a mild drop won't cause any grief.

Coilovers can seize around the threads... if you keep them covered in a thin coating of some kind of lube/grease, you should be okay. But again, I am willing to bet you $34.50 that once you get it setup, it'll stay that way It is always a good idea to pressure wash them before you adjust them though. Anything that gets stuck to the threads should be removed- and it will happen with or without grease there.

The rear sway bar doesn't have an effect on ride stiffness. The RSB keeps the car firmly planted when cornering hard (reduces body roll). That would be all on the coilovers. I always suggest getting dampening adjustable coilovers, just so you can fine tune the suspension a bit more. Changing the dampening is a lot quicker than adjusting the height. I don't know if the SA have that feature, but if you do enjoy a sporty feeling suspension (aka not bone jarring), I think a non adjustable coilover would work just fine. They're usually setup at a good compromise between fast driving and city driving.

Every time you lift or lower the car, yes, you should get an alignment. It won't change the tire angles much, but it's still a good idea. It'll increase your tire life as well.

Long story short- Do it up. be a bit more cautious when driving. Dont slam the car. Set the height and forget it.

96SC4

Tein SA is the new SS

ExcelerateRep

There really aren't any cons to using coilovers in winter/snow compared to oem suspension. You should get an alignment any time you significantly change your suspension settings. Replacing all four shocks and springs would definitely warrant an alignment.

A sway bar shouldn't make the car unbearable for daily driving by any means. The real stiffness occurs from your spring and shock specifications. The sway bars simply reduce body roll under hard cornering. We have great pricing on coilovers and sway bars right on our website. Our pricing on the Street Basis is only $531 not including shipping.

TEIN Dampers - Street Basis - Excelerate Performance - Japanese and European Performance Specialists!!

6spd-GERCO

1.)It shouldn't matter as long as you keep your stuff clean, anti-seize is your friend, fresh suspensions is always better than old. If you went with an ASPEC or shock and spring combo you wouldn't have to deal with maintaining your coilovers.

2.)Yes you will need an alignment any time you touch (remove/replace) suspension parts. If you get crafty and have the desire you can perform an alignment at home, it takes some time but you can save a few bucks.

3.) Ride quality is subjective, but from what I have read Tein makes smooth riding coilovers. I run ASPEC suspension on my TL and love it, wish it was a touch lower but it's a nice improvement over stock. The ASPEC feels so buttery smooth after I switch out of my Integra with skunk2 pro-c's <- they are awesome but to much for long trips that aren't to the track.

If you really want to get fancy you should corner weight your car I still need to do this on my Integra.

UA7NBP_616

^+1 hahah no one raises for wintertime man

N1h1l1ty

Happy Tein Street Advance user here - The adjustable dampening is definitely a bonus.

I'm relatively low (maxed out rear, about one turn away from max in front) and while I have yet to drive with them in the winter, so far so good, even with Toronto's abyssmal pothole ridden streets.

You will need to change your driving style if you go this low however, and just be aware of steep driveways.

TacoBello

And speed bumps.

polish_pat

You can thank god you don't like in Montreal. Our streets are a breading ground for potholes all year long, we probably even export loads of potholes. I lowered my previous car, a Jetta 2003, cracked 4 oil pans in the first 12 months...2 in winter, 2 in summer. I promised myself i'd never lower another car here unless I move a little further west. I did give in and lowered my TL but unlike all other here, I do crank them back up for winter. So you're welcome, I am the first person that says they'll do it and actually does.