stevehecht

Since there's no spring rates listed for adjustable springs, how would you compare the firmness/harshness of linear Tein H-Techs vs. adjustable Eibach ProKits. I will also be using Koni Yellow adjustables, a 17mm rear sway bar, and 215/50/-17 Kumho SPTs. I'm looking for better handling and steering response mostly with mild decrease in road chatter, and just a bit of a front end rake angle.

EDIT: I have a '07 SE V6 Accord.

vtecvoodoo

They are not adjustable, they are progressive. Big difference

stevehecht

Oops I meant progressive, sorry. Any opinions on how they ride in terms of harshness compared to the linear H-Techs? My question really is, what effect do the progressive springs have on smoothing out road imperfections compared to linear springs?

ES2

H-techs are progressive as well. Tein just doesn't tell you where along the spring compression they get their numbers from.

I vote for Eibach pro-kits because of the million mile warranty. However if you plan on selling the springs like in 2-3 years then go for the H-techs becuase they are probably $80-$100 cheaper.

stevehecht

Still trying to figure out if the H-Techs are more forgiving than the ProKit for road chatter given the Koni Yellows and rear sway bar.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ES2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">H-techs are progressive as well. Tein just doesn't tell you where along the spring compression they get their numbers from.
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Interesting, didn't know that. That seems kind of arbitrary on Tein's part, doesn't it? It's probably more straightforward of Eibach not to list rates at all if there's no standardized point along the compression spectrum to make comparisons from.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I vote for Eibach pro-kits because of the million mile warranty. However if you plan on selling the springs like in 2-3 years then go for the H-techs becuase they are probably $80-$100 cheaper.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I wasn't aware that springs can go bad after 2-3 years...I'm pretty sure that Tein has a warranty too. I just requested a copy of their warranty--will let you know what it is. If they have a decent warranty I'm not sure a 1M mile warranty is all that relevant to me.

vtecvoodoo

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stevehecht &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I wasn't aware that springs can go bad after 2-3 years...I'm pretty sure that Tein has a warranty too.


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One year.

stevehecht

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecvoodoo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They are not adjustable, they are progressive. Big difference </TD></TR></TABLE>

Here is a thread on VwVortex that denies that the ProKit is progressive: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3008132

I also found out that the spring rates on the Prokit are 131F/131R. This is hard to believe, but the poster 4dBunny on 1/13/06 (same thread) said he verified it with a tech at Eibach.

vtecvoodoo

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stevehecht &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Here is a thread on VwVortex that denies that the ProKit is progressive: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3008132

I also found out that the spring rates on the Prokit are 131F/131R. This is hard to believe, but the poster 4dBunny on 1/13/06 (same thread) said he verified it with a tech at Eibach.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I work at Eibach and deal w/ these designs everyday. Most kits are progressive, some are not. Some are progressive in the rear, linear in the front (and vice versa). It just depends what the car likes. The rates for MK4 GTi and an Accord are obviously going to be very different as well.


Modified by vtecvoodoo at 9:27 AM 1/10/2007

InvaderTrax

I still like my H Techs for DD. Little stiffer, little lower, but still VERY streetable

stevehecht

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecvoodoo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I work at Eibach and deal w/ these designs everyday. Most kits are progressive, some are not. Some are progressive in the rear, linear in the front (and vice versa). It just depends what the car likes. The rates for MK4 GTi and an Accord are obviously going to be very different as well.
Modified by vtecvoodoo at 9:27 AM 1/10/2007</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is all pretty fascinating to me, so I don't know if you mind me asking about the ProKit spring rates (don't know if that's proprietary information).

As I understand it, linear springs have a simple number representing the spring rate, while progressive springs are described with initial, final, and working range rates. Would you mind telling us the linear and/or progressive rates for the Eibach ProKits for the Accord?

The H-Techs are listed at 296F/184R which seems on the firm side for my needs. I've heard from most people that the H&R OE Sports are softer than the ProKits, but they aren't progressive (?). What advantage do progressive springs have for comfort and handling over linear springs?

Tyson

seriously, you cant compare springs from different vehicles and make across the board assumptions, especially different car makers with COMPLETELY different suspension design.

my CRX is linear up front and progressive in the rear, thats how HONDA designed it. pretty much all civics are like that. i used eibach pro kits (with illuminas) and loved them on the street and more (on track and autox). they follow the same setup as stock.

my only experience with Tein springs is a friends S-Techs i installed. they were linear/progressive too. so what. they still did the job they advertised. seemed comparable to pro kits, tho there was no back to back.

if you follow Teins marketing material, H-Techs are designed to have the LEAST amount of change in ride height and closest to factory stiffness. (theyre probably progressive too) seems like theyre really jsut made for the person who just wants the looks of a slightly lowered car than stock. if thats what you want, then go for it. Eibach pro kits are made to give a modest drop and give a sportier edge and still totally streetable.