I know you can get Tein SS with pillowball mounts included. From reading online retail stores they both seem have the same features except that the Tein SS is available both with Pillowball mounts and without. They have 16 Adjustable settings. So what's the difference between the two? The only thing I can see that is different that is mentioned on the Flex and not on the SS is

"Full-length adjustment and height adjustment for separate setting of the height and spring preload."

Is this the only difference between the two? Any help on and info on this is greatly appreciated.

 

The spring and damping rates are also a little stiffer on the flex's, I think there's a few minor differences, but nothing too special.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CP9A6M &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The spring and damping rates are also a little stiffer on the flex's, I think there's a few minor differences, but nothing too special.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I appreciate the response and information.

Stiffer....stiffer is good, trying to make up my mind between the two. If I was to get the SS with the pillowball mounts, it would just be 100-150 more for the flexes. So it might be a better deal just to get the Flexes I guess. Dunno.....but thanks for the reply

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EBPSI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I appreciate the response and information.

Stiffer....stiffer is good, trying to make up my mind between the two. If I was to get the SS with the pillowball mounts, it would just be 100-150 more for the flexes. So it might be a better deal just to get the Flexes I guess. Dunno.....but thanks for the reply</TD></TR></TABLE>

there's a big difference. the damper that tein uses with the SS is basically a p.o.s. whatever adjustment range advertised is basically a joke, since the valving doesn't change much with each click. the FLEX damper is much better in terms of adjustability and actual damping characteristics, but still nothing special.

personally think there are better ways to spend 1400 bucks.

also is this car daily driven, double duty, or mostly tracked?

 

It's my daily driver as well as my autoX car. Used to autoX it every month when I first got it, but then stopped cause of financial reasons.

I'm now better off financially. I decided I didn't want to have monthly payments on a car just yet, so I'm swappin out the motor and gettin the suspension done.

What would you reccomend? I understand and respect the whole Koni Yellows and GCs advise, but I would really rather have a single unit instead of going with a seperate shock and threaded sleeve. I helped a friend install some GCs on his del sol almost two years ago, and I would really rather have a single unit.

 

Teins are a great way to go for a dual purpose car, I used to have them a while back and loved them, so nice to be able to adjust the damping from in the car

 

I have Tein SS on my 94 hatch. Its an absolutely fabulous setup for daily driving and competitive driving...however, I would never advise anyone to choose Tein SS if they are serious about autox or anything like that (as in, have intentions of actually winning). I've never ridden in a car with tein flex, but I think my buddy's Tein RAs are way too stiff for a street car, and my Tein SS are too soft for a decent autox car, so the math tells me that Tein Flex would be a great dual purpose setup.

 

Thank for the replies guys.

I'm assuming the front springs are not interchangeable with the rear springs? Reason why I ask is because the spring rates are stiffer up front than the rear, and the consensus feels that the rear should be stiffer than the front. If I remember correctly stiffer rear makes the car rotate better, correct? And having the front stiffer introduces more understeer? Or I could have it reversed, I appologize, just got home from a 12 hour shift and my thoughts are very unorganized. But if anyone has any info on that, please comment. Thanks again for the replies.

 

The biggest difference between the SS and FLEX is the full length adjustment. Which means what you've already read. When adjusted properly you can get full suspension travel without hitting upper A arms to chassis or tire to fender, and when doing this, not change the spring seat position. Meaning the entire length of the shock assembly can be adjusted for travel and ride height. You can also pre-load the springs, which gives a stiffer feel, while maintaining the same ride height. The SS kit has a fixed overall length. If you tired to do any of this on a SS, either the ride feel would change or the ride height would change. With only a spring seat adjustment you can pre-load the spring but the ride height would go up at the same time. Most consumers can feel every 2 clicks, and professional drivers can feel every click or even 1/2 click (available via EDFC). Another small difference is Telfon coated body, especially important if you live in areas with snow.

 

I appreciate you taking the time to answer. Thanks for th explanation, that really helped a lot. It seems for the price the Flex would be the better deal.

 

SS's are too soft for autox but comfy for daily driving. Flexes are the better choice for PERFORMANCE, not necessarily the better choice for autox either, but better than SS for sure.

For autox, i would recommend something like the BuddyClub N+ Damper

 

This is rather off topic, but does anyone know if you can get different spring/valving for the SS's? I have a 91 Civic, and the highest level Teins available that I've seen are the SS's, and I would like to remain competetive in autox but be able to use my EDFC that I still have from my old car.

 

TEIN USA can do revalving on any of our systems. Revalving cost per damper for the SS is MSRP $100, which includes labor and all small parts. TEIN replacement straight springs are also available through any authorized dealer, for MSRP $50 each spring. You may be able to obtain discounts for both revalving and parts via an authorized TEIN dealer. Revalving takes approx. 1-2 weeks, and you can either specify the damping you would like or we can match it to your spring rates and useage.