Hogan9166

iTrader: (1)

First off, I'm not interested in paying an additional $200+ for damping control with the Tein advanced, etc.

That being said, I'm wavering back and forth between simply replacing my struts with OEM or going with Tein Basis. I do have a slight interesting in a mild drop, but don't plan on new rims, etc....maybe some spacers.

I'm running the OEM 18's on an '09 SH-AWD. The difference, including shipping between the OEM and Teins is approximately $140. Should I expect a difference in installation costs, too?

Any thoughts on whether the additional $140 is worth it given the information I've provided?

Thanks in advance.

Hogan9166

iTrader: (1)

anyone? self bump...want to order these today, if possible.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

no, installation cost would be the same regardless of brand of springs and shock combo.

OEM is OEM and you've already experienced the OEM shocks and springs.
if you're feeling a little daring and want a little drop, grab the basis.

Hogan9166

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the info. I think I might do that.

Hogan9166

iTrader: (1)

Pulled the trigger on the Tein Basis...now, any suggestions on how low I could go on OEM 18s without needing a camber kit?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^in general; more than 2 inches will need a camber kit.

the TL has natural negative camber
the rear is set to i believe -1.7

negative camber wont cause tire wear, it's more about Toe.
toe should be set to 0, as when mid-turn the car will toe-in.

potmilkz

i would reconsider the additional $200 bucks.. if you plan to keep your car for a while, it is good to have dampening control. that is what separates a shitty ride to a comfortable ride

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^moot point.

if all the gentleman wants to do is, lower the car while retaining a factory ride, there isnt a reason to get damping adjustable coilovers.

there are many uses for adjustable damping, first being for performance. being able to adjust front and rear independently affects the car on the track.

the 2nd use of adjustable damping is for people with larger than factory wheels.
stiffening up the ride will help the car from bottoming out.

if all the gentleman wants is to slightly lower his ride while having a stock-like ride and doesnt plan on getting wheels, he made the correct decision

potmilkz

true, if you dont care about how your ride quality is going to be then by all means get the basic's. Just remember, you are stuck with what you got.

i had mine set at 8 when i first started, after a few months, i up to 12 and never went back.. its all about the adjustment man.

HeartTLs

iTrader: (5)

I have SS with edfc controller. I tend to leave it on 00/00 because I feel it rides best that way and wish it were even stiffer. That said Bexson had Tein SS and basics and said the basics felt like SS set @ 08/08.

Hogan9166

iTrader: (1)

I don't know what the numbers you quote mean.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

stiffer doesnt always equate to better. ()
just sayin'

Hogan9166

iTrader: (1)

That's what she said.

carbonTSEX

Does everyone square out there dampening? I usually make it stiffer in the front to compensate the weight if the motor where the back is lighter. I love where I am at now but feel I should stiffen the rear a tad more. Those it already rides like a dream with my upgraded spring rates.

potmilkz

excellent observation.. although i did not go stiffer.. i went softer.. thus why i said i went from 8 to 12...

i adjust my dampening according to what wheel/tire combo, tire pressure plays a small role on ride quality.. my stock 18's rode the best on 8 setting, while my 20's on 35 series require a bit more softening which is why i upgraded to 12.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

as the other posted stated, those numbers dont mean jack to me.

a logical person would figure out that you're increasing from 8 to 12.
because the number increases.

some coilovers dont even have numbers to represent, just dials.

carbonTSEX

For me. Hard is clockwise and soft is counter clockwise. The first click "1" starts from the hardest setting and go up from there. You could start at "30" which is full soft on mine and count down.

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

100% go with the TEIN coilovers. They are great quality and perfectly suited for a daily driver.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

from a performance point of view, i run different damping levels from front to back.
to get the rear end to swing out in a turn, stiffen the rear. (creates over steer)
to create more understeer, stiffen the front more than the rear.

since, this platform is fwd based, the car comes with a healthy dose of UNDER steer from the factory.
the goal is to make the car more neutral from a performance stand point.
usually, stiffening the rear does the trick.

you can do other things to make the car handle more neutral or balanced like adding a larger rear sway bar to counter-act the usually thick front sway bar.

HeartTLs

iTrader: (5)

The dampening rates are from 0-16, 0 being the stiffest setting. 00/00 means dampening is set to 00 front and 00 rear.

DrewQ35

I have mine set at 3/3. I did the recommneded 10/10 then went stiffer to 6/6 and now i think I am settled with 3/3. I like the soft ride but it just sucked going around turns and exit ramps....I need less body roll and little more firmness around corners.

HeartTLs

iTrader: (5)

Go with 00/00, it's heavenly. So much so I want even stiffer springs.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

I have 12kg front and 10kg rear spring rates.
then, set up the damping to be rear biased, so i can swing out the rear end.