Report on Tein HA's for the FD
03-06-02 | 03:38 PM
#1
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From: Florida
Report on Tein HA's for the FD
Well folks, after a not too short four months, the car is back, better than new. I'm in the middle of covering a murder trial (what fun!) so I'll have to make it brief here...
As for the suspension, I'm running the Tein HA's with 10kg/mm front, 8kg/mm rear springs (about 580/450). Initial setup was ever so slightly a lower setting than stock, with the shocks at the softest setting, 1. I am also running Suspension Techniques swaybars, Widefoot swaybar mounts, M2 trailing/toe links, and Mazdatrix swaybar end links in front. Wheels are 18x9.5" all around, with 265/35/18's, stock alignment settings.
I have to say I'm very impressed! I was a bit worried the ride would be overly harsh. It's not. Very well controlled and damped, much more so than the stock touring suspension. Handles like it's on rails with no real body roll (street) detected. Turn-in is naturally incredible. Sharp-edged objects like reflectors on the roadway or expansion joints are heard more, but not necessarily felt more than with the stock setup. You can tell a difference, but it's not bad at all. Currently, I have the shocks set at 10f/10r and there is a noticeable difference. Still very acceptable. I'd imagine that at 16, they'd be a bit harsh for the street.
I have to qualify the above however by saying I'm tooling around southwest Florida which IMHO, has pretty decent roads compared to say, Michigan. I'm in Punta Gorda where the road quality isn't as decent, and on the 10/10 setting, I don't mind it at all. Set on one, I don't think I'd notice the difference over the stock touring other than the seemingly better wheel control. All told, I'm a very satisfied customer given the cost of the package. I've also retained the stock shock mounts. FYI, the springs that come with the FD kit perfectly match the stock mounts. They taper up a bit to match the stock mount and I believe that if you go with the complete "value" package which includes the pillow ball upper mounts, the springs are slightly smaller in diameter at the top, like say normal Eibach ERS springs that come on the GC kits.
When I'm finally free from work duties, I plan on lowering the car a bit more, say right around an inch or slightly less than an inch. For those looking for fully adjustables on a budget, these seem to be the ticket. We'll see how they do on the track soon enough!
As for the suspension, I'm running the Tein HA's with 10kg/mm front, 8kg/mm rear springs (about 580/450). Initial setup was ever so slightly a lower setting than stock, with the shocks at the softest setting, 1. I am also running Suspension Techniques swaybars, Widefoot swaybar mounts, M2 trailing/toe links, and Mazdatrix swaybar end links in front. Wheels are 18x9.5" all around, with 265/35/18's, stock alignment settings.
I have to say I'm very impressed! I was a bit worried the ride would be overly harsh. It's not. Very well controlled and damped, much more so than the stock touring suspension. Handles like it's on rails with no real body roll (street) detected. Turn-in is naturally incredible. Sharp-edged objects like reflectors on the roadway or expansion joints are heard more, but not necessarily felt more than with the stock setup. You can tell a difference, but it's not bad at all. Currently, I have the shocks set at 10f/10r and there is a noticeable difference. Still very acceptable. I'd imagine that at 16, they'd be a bit harsh for the street.
I have to qualify the above however by saying I'm tooling around southwest Florida which IMHO, has pretty decent roads compared to say, Michigan. I'm in Punta Gorda where the road quality isn't as decent, and on the 10/10 setting, I don't mind it at all. Set on one, I don't think I'd notice the difference over the stock touring other than the seemingly better wheel control. All told, I'm a very satisfied customer given the cost of the package. I've also retained the stock shock mounts. FYI, the springs that come with the FD kit perfectly match the stock mounts. They taper up a bit to match the stock mount and I believe that if you go with the complete "value" package which includes the pillow ball upper mounts, the springs are slightly smaller in diameter at the top, like say normal Eibach ERS springs that come on the GC kits.
When I'm finally free from work duties, I plan on lowering the car a bit more, say right around an inch or slightly less than an inch. For those looking for fully adjustables on a budget, these seem to be the ticket. We'll see how they do on the track soon enough!
03-06-02 | 07:50 PM
#2
Good to here, I just got mine Via UPS today. I wanted to install this weekend, but the pillow mounts are on back order. 
How hard were they to install, the first thing I did is set them up, they sure do look nice in the living room.
Did you have to use a spring compressor?
Get some pictures of your new setup, and lowered setting please.
How hard were they to install, the first thing I did is set them up, they sure do look nice in the living room.
Did you have to use a spring compressor?
Get some pictures of your new setup, and lowered setting please.
03-06-02 | 11:22 PM
#4
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From: Florida
I have the car up here with me so I'll try and get a pic posted tomorrow. Should be a short day with closing arguments being presented. FYI, the trial I'm covering is on Court TV. Just look for the guy with the still camera. That's me! :-) Anyhoo...I purchased mine from MZM Performance in Houston I believe, all for under $1000 including shipping. I noticed the upper mounts were on back order too...honestly, I don't think I'll be needing them currently. I didn't install them myself, but it's not necessary to use a spring compressor due to the tender springs.
Michel
Michel
03-07-02 | 12:52 PM
#5
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i dont think you need a spring compressor, just leave the stock shock/spring apparatus intact when you pull them out, and shove the tiens up in there.
there shouldnt be any reason to use a spring compressor, since you wont need to take any springs off of struts, especially since you are getting the pillow mounts for the top.
there shouldnt be any reason to use a spring compressor, since you wont need to take any springs off of struts, especially since you are getting the pillow mounts for the top.
03-07-02 | 02:40 PM
#6
Originally posted by rx7speed811
i dont think you need a spring compressor, just leave the stock shock/spring apparatus intact when you pull them out, and shove the tiens up in there.
there shouldnt be any reason to use a spring compressor, since you wont need to take any springs off of struts, especially since you are getting the pillow mounts for the top.
i dont think you need a spring compressor, just leave the stock shock/spring apparatus intact when you pull them out, and shove the tiens up in there.
there shouldnt be any reason to use a spring compressor, since you wont need to take any springs off of struts, especially since you are getting the pillow mounts for the top.
thanks, I'll write up a review and post pics as soon as my pillow mounts come in.
03-07-02 | 07:09 PM
#7
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From: Florida
Well didn't get a chance to take a pic of the car today...court went on forever and I didn't get back to the hotel til 7:30 and it's dark. I'm off to Daytona for Bikeweek (well weekend) tomorrow morning so pics will have to wait sigh...
Michel
Michel
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03-08-02 | 04:34 PM
#8
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From: New Jersey
rx7TT95: Planning to get the tein ha also. Just wounding if you tried power shifting or launching off the line. Are you getting any wheel hoop or it feels solid. Don't forget about those pics when you have time
