I am going to be replacing my stock shocks with kyb replacement shocks for my type s. I was wondering if tein s techs or h techs will match up okay with kyb shocks. Will a 1.5 inch lowering cause the shocks to blow out unusually fast?

 

Which KYB are you using? They make quite a few different ones.

 

Kyb excel G. They are supposed to be replacement shocks for OE shocks.

 

Will s techs with kyb's make the ride too harsh? NYC roads can be a pain in the ass...quite literally.

 

Yeah those are pretty soft. I wouldn't use them with any kind of lowering spring.

Not only will the shocks wear out faster because they'll be operating at close to their maximum compression all the time, but they don't have the damping force for stiffer springs. This will also wear them out a lot faster.

KYB AGX is their performance line and those should work. Or you can keep your stock springs and go with the Excel G if all you are wanting is replacement shocks.

 

Damn...I already brought the excel g under the impression that tein s tech or h tech would pair fine with them.

 

You can do it. More than one person has. Just know you're going to get shorter life out of those shocks. So if you lose half their life, that goes from approximately 60k to 30k.

30k is still a bit, especially if you don't drive a whole lot.

It won't be an optimum setup, but it can be done.

 

But aside from the kyb's having a shorter life from lowering springs would there be any other significant negative impact? Such as a harsh ride or can handling characteristics be compromised? Should I go tein H tech instead of S tech?

 

What are you looking to accomplish with your suspension swap?

 

Well my shocks are blown. So while im at it I want a modest drop. 1 inch to 1.5 inch max i guess. Basically I want to get rid of as much wheel gap as I can while keeping as close to stock ride quality as possible. Don't want coilovers and I always thought the KYB will be ok with either tein springs.

 

I think the H-Techs are more mild than the S-Techs. So I would go with those if all you are looking is the look of the drop, and not a stiffer ride.

 

Yea I think I may go with h techs if anything. But if the the type s stock springs perform better id rather jus stick to that.

 

Does anyone know if tein h tech springs will make handling worser compared to type s springs?

 

Handling or ride quality?

 

Handling. Im guessing ride quality will be a bit rougher because of the drop but im confused about handling because I've read that type s springs are stiffer than h techs. Does that mean worser handling with h techs?

 

Anyone with any experience with tein h techs on a type s on stock type s wheels?

 

Well I don't have Tein springs but I do have H&R sport springs with KYB Excel G Shocks. No issues, car rides smooth and handles great!!!

 

How about tein street advance coilovers. Would they provide a more comfortable ride over nyc roads compared to the KYB and h tech springs combo? Just in terms of ride quality. I wouldnt slam the car, just get rid of the fender gap with the coils.

 

Can anyone tell me definitively whether or not kyb shocks with tein h tech springs will ride like crap or not? I've had more than one mechanic tell me I will ruin the ride with the lowering springs especially with NYC roads. One mechanic told me the car will have a jarring ride and with NYC roads the shocks will blow out very fast.

 

Springs affect the ride. The shocks job is to dampen the spring's movement so you're not bouncing up and down long after you've passed what compressed the suspension in the first place. Stiff springs will ride stiffer, no doubt about it.

I've already given you the answer you asked as far as the spring/shock combo but since it wasn't what you wanted to hear, you're still searching for an answer that confirms what you want.

The fact of the matter is, the KYB shocks are valved and constructed to dampen the stock springs. Lowered springs must, by definition, be stiffer because you have taken up some of their travel. They also are stiffer to minimize body roll and dip, which translates to a more aggressive ride.

Now the TL-S stock suspension is already going to be a sportier suspension. So the KYB's might not be underdamped. But they will still be operating outside their constructed/designed movement range because of the loss of 1"-1.5" of height from the lowering springs. So they're just not going to last as long as they should.

 

Also, I don't know if the stock springs are progressive or linear, and whether the h-techs and s-techs are progressive or linear. For street use, progressive springs are far more comfortable. On the track, you want the opposite so that is something to consider when running applications meant more for track use than street use.

 

I get what you're saying but the thing that has me confused is that I've read TL-S springs are stiffer than tein h techs. So im going lower and less stiffer? Plus ride quality will be unbearably bad just with a 1 inch drop and softer albeit lower springs ? Just doesnt add up.The other thing that has me even more confused is this one mechanic making it seem like the shocks will blow out in 2 city blocks lol. I understand they won't last as long but I'm sure they will give a decent amount of miles so I'm really not worried about how long they will last.

I'm looking for a ride quality that pretty much feels like OEM ride quality. From what I've read, people using lowering springs like h techs or similar with stock shocks say that the ride is very close to stock. But some mechanics I've spoken with say lowering springs will equal to a very jarring and shitty ride.

 

If I'm not mistaken h tech s are progressive.

 

Which setup would give a more comfortable ride? Even if I went the coilovers route I wouldn't drop more than 1.5 inch. Comfort is priority as roads around where I live are horrible.

 

So I went ahead and installed the tein h techs with kyb excel g shocks. Overall the ride is stiffer but comfortable enough. Only thing is at freeway speeds if you hit a pothole or a bumpy road it is much more harsh compared to stock. You hear a bang and there is very little suspension travel. Is this normal and to be expected? Can an error in the installation process cause this?

Also as a side note my steering feels heavier after new setup. Maybe I need an alignment?

 

You always want to get an alignment after swapping major suspension components. That setup isn't an ideal match in terms of shock valving and spring rate. I believe you had called in yesterday about this setup. In my opinion you really can't get a perfect OEM style ride without your stock springs. If you want a smooth ride with adjustable stiffness, go with the Street Advance. We have them on sale for 20% off right now! Promo code TEINX
TEIN Dampers - Street Advance - Excelerate Performance - Japanese and European Performance Specialists!!

 

I have the same set up. Yes I get that same ride on the freeways as well, so your not alone. give that setup 30k and swap it out for something better. I have about 60k on my kyb & h-tech set up (all freeway miles) and over time the front got lower and lower, I assume from the kyb not being able to handle the lowered spring and its also being in dire need of being replaced, but now I'm looking forward to TEIN SA

 

i am running s techs with the excel gs, have been for about 6 months now and love them. when they were first installed i was driving about 140 miles a day and they were much more comfortable then the stock set up. all of my driving is highway driving for the most part but i have taken a few mountain roads and personally i think the car handles better then it did before as well. its more responsive, even my little brother made that comment when he drove my car to the store a couple weeks ago. that being said, when these go out the SA coils will be getting installed simply because i have them in my garage. if it wasn't for the fact insurance paid for my s techs the coils would have went on then.

 

man I'm surprised those S-techs are holding up well with those kyb shocks man! glad to hear your feedback. Mine were great until mileage starting going high lol.