So which would you go with? (this is from my FC)
both seem to be evenly matched.
both are monotube, and both have one adjsutment for both rebound and bump. i think they both have a linear rate srping.

I dont know if the JIC is all aluminum, the tein is though.
the tein has a higher rate then the JIC's
Tein 559front 448rear (in lbs/in)
JIC 448Front 336rear.

From what i hear, the JIC's can be valved for higher rate sprigns, and it even comes with a valve adjustment tool?

Whats better out of the box? more tuning ability? and so on?

also, anyone know of a coilover packages for FC that have an independent adjustment for bump and rebound?

If anyone knows abut the JIC's and how good they are for racing, please give me the low down.

 

I'm interested as well, what would JICs cost valved for 1000lb fronts, and 700lb rears? Also how long to get?

 

1000lbs front?! what car are you going to put his on?

 

It will take about 45-60 days to receive your custom setup on the JIC's. It can be done at a minimal charge depending on the spring rates and so forth you plan to use.

I find that the JIC's are perfect for any of the tracks around here. Anything with higher damping would just be horrid. I can speak for thunderhill definitely.

With regards to the teins they recommend those as track only. That would concern me. Also good thing to find out is if the Tein has independent preload and ride height all the way around. I vaguely remember looking at someone's car and noticing it was not this way in the front or rear. Whereas the RE is all the way around.

Rishie

I can't even run my JIC's over 10, even on tracks it would be too much unless it's smooth as glass.

 

The Tein Type Flex Damper has independent ride height and pre-load adjustments. And I believe it has similar spring rates to the RA's. I've seen this setup on an FD ... it looks pretty easy to work with.

 

JIC
FLT-A2





This might be a good solution for those that want a custom setup:

FLTA2 RS
"FLTA2 RS: Custom tuned suspension for the masses! Our FLTA2-RS starts with our FLTA2 coilovers. We work with the racer to custom tune the coilovers to the individual's needs. We choose custom springs and dampers suited to each track or driving style. When necessary, helper springs are added to ensure the full stroke of the damper is utilized. Standard features are light weight 15 way adjustable monotube dampers that ensure high strength and fade free performance. The ride height is adjustable separate from the spring perch, giving you maximum suspension travel at any setting. This also allows for proper corner weighting of the vehicle without effecting spring preload settings. Linear springs give laser precision steering response. All models include upper pillow ball mounts. Most MacPherson strut designs utilize front camber plates and feature high tensile steel brackets. Multilink suspension designs feature CNC machined aluminum lower brackets."



TEIN
It seems like the RE rather than the RA is comparable to the JIC FLT A2s.

RE:
Ride height is adjustable without chaging the preload of the spring,which is a special feature of the full-length adjustable system with threads on the lower bracket.

For circuit racing,Type RA damper with an added full-length adjustment system.
The damping force is adjustable up to 16 levels.

And finally all the other specs for the RE that can be found under the RA section:

RA:


Set Details
Adjustable Damper X 4, Main spring X 4
Sub spring X 4, Lower spring seat X 4
Spacer spring seat X 4, Thrust washer X 4
Bump rubber X 4, Duster boots X 4, Pillow upper mount X 4
Height measuring gauge, Instruction manual
Damping effect adjusting tool


The type RA allows you to control the 1/1000 sec, the 1 milimeter
The TEIN technology for the advanced driver

This product has adopted into its package, the specifications used in the rally field such as the World Rally Championship. We have constructed a footwork for you which puts priority into its function.
A high grade specification which gives you a unique driving feeling
Introduction of specifications used at competition levels
Adopted a single rod structure for better reception between driver and road surface.


A linear damping effect which catches even the smallest road surface information by adopting the single rod structure.
Seamless tube using a drawing method. Processing technology which enables a high level of precision up to 1/100mm of the inner diameter. Inner surface precision up to 3.2S (inner surface bumps within +/- 1.6 micrometer)
Use of ultra light and strong aluminum - A7050 which is also used in airplanes.
A I.D.45 piston which is maximum for marketed cars' shock absorber.
A different diameter multi-level valve structure which enables damping effect and specifications adjustment.
The damping effect adjustment structure uses a evolved version of the special shaped needle valve which has already been proven in the HA/NA dampers

www.jic-magic.com
www.tein.com

They both have 45mm pistons, they're both monotube (from what I heard the TEINs are but it doesn't specifically state it under the RA/RE section), and both the JICs and the TEIN RE are height adjustable. Looks like a pretty even match. From what I recall the JICs are a couple hundred dollars cheaper.

Personally, I'd make my decision based on after purchase support: warranty, availability of a rebuild kit, domestic service options ect. Dampers have a tough life and aren't indistructable. Having the car laid up for a couple months while the shocks are on the other side of the pacific is something to be concerned about.
-Chris C.

 

I have HAs on my 97 TT Supra, and they have been a constant headache. First the two rears leaked after less than 10,000 miles, then the front pillowball fell apart. That said, repair turn around was about two weeks. The range of adjustment is unreal, I can adjust them from near stock to full track with room to spare. These are the dampers that allowed a supra to pull in excess of 1.1 Gs on street tires with only TRD sway bars.
I think we need to ask whether they are appropriate for the street? Tien, and Ground Control both do not recomend their high end race dampers for the street. They are not designed to endure the potholes, and shitty pavement that street driving present. What does JIC say? My RX7 is a track car so this is not an issue for me, but it is for many.
What is the repair process for the JICs?
Thanks, Carl Byck

 

Rishie

how are you running your JIC's? to you have them custom valved and springed, or are you running them out of the box?

also, are the JIC's aluminum? it sez nothing about this.

 

They are not aluminum casings. This was a misconception of mine. They are high tensile steel. Mine are out of the box. I don't see that I would need to change anything on mine for the variety of functions I have.

I can say that out of tons of applications we've sold the JIC's they've put in excess of 25,000 miles in the past year and a half. Not one, I repeat not one coilover has come back to me for leaking purposes or blown dampers period. I can only speak of testimony from our clients. BUt I have yet to hear of pre expected leakage. lol.

Rishie

 

I really like my JIC's. I've been very impressed by them running on old country backroads with less than perfect pavement. The JIC's are actually very high quality. I could do without the purple springs though.

If I had to do it all over I would get the JIC's again and wouldn't even blink doing it. The ride is just so much different from anything I've ridden in before in an FD. The car really does stick to the road.

- Cody

Edit: Incase you didn't catch it I drive an FD not an FC so it may be different for you.

 

Rishie, pm me a price on JICs with valving to control fronts in the 600-800lb range, and rears in the 350-500lb range (Ballpark) for an FC. I am running GC/Koni yellows w/6" 550lb front springs, and 7" 300lb rears. I'd like to maintain that ride height or a little lower. The GCs are adjusted all the way down in the front. Thanks, Carl

 

does the adjustment **** on the JIC's just adjust rebound? or does it adjust both bump and rebound? Who can do service and revalving for the JIC's, too?

 

It does both simultaneously. JIC can service your suspension. I'm in the process of acquiring some equipment to be able to do minor servicing in house as well.

Rishie

Carl I will ask if your setup will cost anything additional. I will also recommend to you the Endless line of suspensions as they have a wide variety of models more suitable to racing. JIC's purposes imo are the perfect street/track coilovers with the option of customization. Should I want a true track coilover I'd lean more towards the talents of the Endless suspensions. They are a little more expensive but well worth it. If you want to drive this thing on the street most of the time go with the JIC's.

 

Rishie, this will be on a car that sees about 8-10 autocross weekends, 12-16 track days, and 3000 street miles a year. My concearn is that most race setups are not designed to handle that amount of use, not to mention road condition. GC advanced design recomends a rebuild once a season based on 7 or more race weekends. I am willing to compromise a little on performance to get durability, I know I can have both, but I cannot afford both . Optimally I woud like a double adjustable, but I'd like to stay in the 1500.00 range,so I think that's out. Thanks for your time, Carl

 

hey Rishie, i PM'ed you.

 

i have the re's on my fd. the ra's arent the same as the jic's and re's becuase they dont have the double adjustability on them. i love my re's i think htey are awesome. i would like to ride in a car with the jic's though. it would be a nice comparison. i can only give coments on the re's. they wiegh nothing...lightest damn suspension i have ever felt. quality is awesome...way better than my ha's i had before. i would think either one would be fine for you. oh yeah the re's are monotbe and the ra's are not. same as the ha's just more features.

 

I would recommend the JIC's over a GC kit. As for the RE's.....I guess I can't really say. I have never ridden in a car with RE's. I do similar things with my car, except not as many events/miles, and I decided to go with JIC's. I haven't regretted my decision since I got the JIC's. That's just my opinion though.

- Cody