OK i'm sure a bunch of you guys are running a Tein set-up right now, that's why i'm posting in this forum. Just a lil info to start, this is my daily driver, not a full track car.

Here's my question, the Tein SS set-up is better than the Koni/GC set-up (I guess that can be debated but WHATEVER). BUT, Koni offers a lifetime warrenty on their struts, and as far as I know, Tein doesn't. First off, has anyone ever blown a strut on their SS coilover? Do i even have to worry about doing this if it's my daily driver? The follow-up question is, if someone has blown their shock, did Tein stand behind their product, and replace it (errr...repair as Koni's can be revalved), like Koni would. Any experiences would be much appreciated. Thanks alot!

 

consider this would you rather deal with Koni USA and Ground Control USA or Tein Japan. Point being Koni has many service centers here in the USA and Ground Control rocks in customer service. It might be a hassel to get Teins serviced, although I have heard of some people getting Teins serviced.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RAB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">consider this would you rather deal with Koni USA and Ground Control USA or Tein Japan. Point being Koni has many service centers here in the USA and Ground Control rocks in customer service. It might be a hassel to get Teins serviced, although I have heard of some people getting Teins serviced.</TD></TR></TABLE>

most current models Teins are servicable in the US.

To the original poster, tein SS's are not better than koni/gc as far as I'm concerned. Don't get caught up in the "full coilover" bling and end up with bottom of the line coilovers. Crappy spring rates, and questionable spring quality. Ground control makes sleeves for konis to be "full coilovers", plus you can get custom rates and quality eibach springs.

 

GC does not rock at customer service. I'd give them a 7/10.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TeamSlowdotOrg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">GC does not rock at customer service. I'd give them a 7/10. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Well different people different experiences.

 

anyone delt with tein customer service? And is blowing a shock even probable?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GotGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">anyone delt with tein customer service? And is blowing a shock even probable?</TD></TR></TABLE>

bottoming out, too high of spring rates, improper valving for application (race shocks on street), bad seals, etc.

I'm not a shock expert like Lee or others on this board, but I think that makes sense.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RAB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Well different people different experiences.</TD></TR></TABLE>Trust me, I wouldn't post anything if I had only dealt with them once.

 

So what do you recommend...their practically the same price. Remember...THIS IS FOR A STREET CAR...will rarely see the track... (but will see windy mountain roads QUITE often, which is why im forking out around $800)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GotGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So what do you recommend...their practically the same price. Remember...THIS IS FOR A STREET CAR...will rarely see the track... (but will see windy mountain roads QUITE often, which is why im forking out around $800)</TD></TR></TABLE>

for a street car get whatever's cheaper or easier. GC/Koni works better for most of the guys in here b/c the setup is versatile, powerful, and affordable.

the SS is an entry level "casual" sort of suspension. it's great for daily driving and the occasional auto-x/trackday/"windy mountain road", so it sounds like a match for you.

 

well you gonna get different answers and opinions. but majority go with Koni's and GC for track and Tein for "spirited driving" IE. mountain roads. I run Tein's in my 93 Accord which is for street and will be going to Koni's/GC for track on my CRX

 

i personally dont like tein. reason being their spring rates are too soft and their dampening settings are also too soft. if you want to set the car up for autox or w2w, you will most likely run out of dampening settings with tein (meaning you will be under-dampened on the highest setting).
if you want real coilovers, go with something like buddyclub, zeil or the new daiyama.
-spenc

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GotGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...THIS IS FOR A STREET CAR...will rarely see the track... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Does it really matter then? My vote would be with the tried and true Koni/Ground Control set up.

 

It`s much easier to swap rates on the Koni/GC combo, as tons of companies across the States actually stock our ERS line in various rates. We also have a better selection of rates, id and free lengths to choose from.

 

For your price range, go the with Koni/GC. The Koni's have a large amount of rebound adjustment to play with and like vtecvoodoo said the ERS springs are widely available. Personally I like my Tein RE's but they are a much different animal then the SS's.

 

I don't quite understand why you'd need such an expensive suspension if you aren't doing serious racing. I have adjustable struts on my car but they stay at full soft when I'm not on course, I can't imagine why I'd worry about custom spring rates, etc for driving on the street.

 

I have to give Tein a in customer service. I emailed them awhile back asking about running stiffer spring rates on my HAs, and they wrote back a throrough, helpful email with all the info I needed in 20 minutes. I corresponded with them a few times and they were extremely helpful as well as knowledgable.

Also, most Tein shocks can be rebuilt and/or revalved for stiffer rates here in the US.

 

The shocks on the Tein SS are a freaking joke--seriously. Only above the Flex series do you start to see some decent quality of the tein line.

The Tein SS setup should be about $600-$700 for Hondas, at most. That's all they are worth.

 

Maybe you should just go with some AGX's and an Eibach Pro-kit. MUCH cheaper and perfectly suited for street driving. I don't really see any reason whatsoever to get an $800 suspension for a car that isn't even going to be raced.

And if you say that "windy mountain road" driving requires the use of an expensive suspension (koni/gc or tein opposed to the agx/eibach combo) then I'd say you're pushing it too hard in a non-race environment. Seriously, you're not going for times and you certainly aren't going to win anything on a mountain road, so why waste the money on a more expensive setup?

Just my thoughts on the matter...

 

tru tru....but i might want to auto-x later...just leaving my options open, and I think the price differnce is worth it. THeortically, a Koni should be the last shock I buy for...

 

Well, with the agx/eibach setup I was talking about, and a full set of Energy Suspension bushings, my car is very competitive in the SCCA SM class (it placed first in the first two races I've raced with the SCCA in my region). But I see what you're saying...I'm considering the Koni/GC setup as well. If agx's can keep up this well, imagine what a Koni/GC setup will do!! Good luck with the car.

Josh

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kappa12 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Maybe you should just go with some AGX's and an Eibach Pro-kit. MUCH cheaper and perfectly suited for street driving. I don't really see any reason whatsoever to get an $800 suspension for a car that isn't even going to be raced.

And if you say that "windy mountain road" driving requires the use of an expensive suspension (koni/gc or tein opposed to the agx/eibach combo) then I'd say you're pushing it too hard in a non-race environment. Seriously, you're not going for times and you certainly aren't going to win anything on a mountain road, so why waste the money on a more expensive setup?

Just my thoughts on the matter...</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree with that. I run Koni/Pro-kit on my car simply because I got a great deal on the konis. I would have just gotten AGX's. I even do some track days and I don't see much need to drop a lot of cash on my susp. (esp. when I'm learning how to go fast anyway). The only thing I want to do to my setup now is get some sway bars (I have none).

I figure if I really want to I can just get a set of GC's and I'll be all set!!

-Steve

 

Get the TEIN's.

*wink*wink*