When i bought my FD, it already had the tein super street coil overs. I have looked around on the internet and have seen that it is 12 kg/10 kg. Is this correct? That seems high for a "street" spring to me. Also, does anyone know if you can just get another set of softer springs to fit the existing dampers?

 

Depends on what your wire and tire setup is. The more available tire grip a car has the more it will sway during turns. To achieve optimal handling the spring rate is increased when grip increases.

 

I understand that. But from what I've read from guys like howard coleman here on the forum, you don't need spring rates that high for optimum grip. I think I would want to keep the Tein SS dampers, but get some lighter springs for them.

 

You can buy different springs, http://www.group5motorsport.com/ has them for $72/spring. I ordered 8k/6k from them. With the 12/10 springs that came with the SS, I can experiment and run 8/6, 10/8 or 12/10. I agree though, 12/10 is too much for the street.

 

What size wheels and what tires do you have?

 

I have the 12/10 springs and the car is very stiff, but it’s not horrible. They use the stock pillow ball mounts which absorb a lot of vibration and the car handles great, so I don't see the need to change anything. Just drive slowly over bumps .

If you call Tein USA they can give you the part numbers and local dealers to order any spring rate you want. When I called (I thought I had a bad spring), they said that springs for the FD would have to come from Japan since they are rarely stocked in the US. They will give you the specs on the springs so you can order a different manufactures spring if it’s easier to find.

 

I have 17 x 8.5 front in the front, and 17 x 9.5 in the rear. Using 235s up front and 255s in the rear.
So I talked to someone at Tein about getting different springs. From what I was told, I could simply get a set of 10/8 springs and swap them right onto my existing SS coilovers no problem. But if I was to get the 8/6 springs, they recommend that I send the dampers in to get them re-valved for the softer spring rates.

 

I put my front Tein SS units in this weekend with 8/6 springs in place of the 12/10 springs that came with them. The instructions had a recommended coilover setting for the 12/10 springs and I went with it even though I knew the softer springs would make it ride lower. It settled at 23.5" at the fender lip. I cranked them up about 8 turns and only got it up to 24.5" which is where I was with the old Eibach springs. Next weekend I will crank them up even more to 25.0"-25.5" then install the rear set.

I mention this just so you'll have a heads up on the initial setting with 8/6 springs.

 

If you are using grippy enough tires, basically anything with 300 UTQG or lower, then you should be fine with your current spring rate. In harmony with Tein, I would advise against using a different spring rate than the coilovers came with.

 

i have the same coilovers on my fd( tein super streets) and they ride a little to rough for me, i feel every bump on the road, changing the spring to 10/8 will be a little softer then what i have now, and 8/6 will be softer yet? sorry for my newbie question

 

Just keep in mind that the

SS coilover will lose suspension stroke when lowering. I only mention that because

1. When you reduce the spring rate and don't ADD LENGTH you will lose both stroke in the damper as well as the spring.

Please compensate your spring length for any reduction in spring rate.

i.e. You guys should know the math. Approximate static weight at each corner. Then combine with the spring rate at each corner to calculate how much the suspension compresses when under static load.

Now do it with the spring rates you want, use the FOIL method and determine what spring length you need to maintain the stroke determined by Tein.

If you want to simplify it all just give me a shout as we're direct with Tein and I can do the math for ya.

This is just if you're getting technical. This issue will become more apparent on the SS than the Tein Flex simply because Flex has independent ride height and spring preload adj.

I do believe the spring rates are set higher on the SS model to prevent bottoming out of the damper as a result of their "entry level" design.

Rishie