Great writup bit!!
So in addition to the car sitting lower and riding better, you also saved a few pounds in overal weight?

 

OK. Neither my driveway or the street I live on are level so it was always a challenge to get an accurate picture of where the body sits relative to the wheels because one side or end was always higher than the other. I need to get my car on a flat parking deck and take pictures there. Maybe after I clean the car.

As far as what I told the mechanic, we looked at the car 'before' and said the back was already good but the front was too high. However, it turns out he lowered both ends, but I'm happy with it so far. I can barely even fit ONE finger between the tire and fender in the back, and I can fit one finger in the front, which is definitely less than before.

Yes, 5 pounds less a corner is decent drop!

I only had it done on Friday! So no, I haven't had it aligned yet, but I will, and I expect to not be able to get it to factory spec. Comes with the territory I believe.

Good point, I'd forgotten about my L-Tuned exhaust! I like the badges too.

 

Thanks Richie. Yes, from my simple weighing exercise, the Teins seem about 5lbs a corner lighter than the L-Tuned. It's not the overall car weight that's important, it's the weight in the suspension that matters to improve handling, so I have a feeling I'm going to notice that. I've already noticed the steering feels a bit tighter/crisper.

 

Sorry for the short response previously....I was on the way out the door.

Great writeup. Car looks good. My guys called me and told me the car rode and stopped (he was really impressed with the brakes. Thanks Paul....now I'm gonna have to get some ) incredibly. They were truly impressed with your car. They liked the aggressive look.

I like how you mounted the AFCII too. Nice and clean. Great Idea....

Congrats all the way around.

 

very clean looking install bit, the ashtray came out real nice.....the drop looks good , very low...how r the roads in GA, since u don't have a kit u can get away with being that low yet do u still have trouble getting up some driveways in any? good job as always

 

Thanks guys.

No problems so far, bluelex. I haven't put a lot of miles on yet though. I'll report back after a few days.

 

that's awesome paul, you must be in love with teh new car now. after a while driving in the flex, definitely tell us how you think about it, whether it's a big gain over the ltuned or what not

oh and yes, the flex is lighter coz' it's aluminum

 

Paul remember ....those are mine when they come off.....

 

Excellent Paul, looking forward to your mid/long term reviews !

 

OK an update...

Just like the L-Tuned springs/shocks were a quantum leap in lessening the multiple rebound oscillations when going over bumps, especially low speeds one like speed bumps, the Tein Flex take it to another level, reducing going over a bump to just one 'rebound' and the car is set... this is great. This is with EDFC set to 8/8.

8/8 is comfortable (to me) in general driving. Even though the car is lower than it was before, it feels like I 'dip down' into the suspension less when going over bumps than I did with the L-Tuned. This keeps the car more composed.

Quick lane changes at some speed are very crisp. I also don't have front or rear STBs in right now.

With a 0/0 setting you can definitely feel every imperfection in the road, but the car is more capable.

With a 12/12 setting the car is more floaty than the L-Tuned springs/shocks were, so the damper setting range is definitely useful and broad.

The only negative I've experienced so far is there's a little more transmission of noise when going over bumps, which is probably attributable to the pillowball mounts (vs. rubber for Tein CS for example). It's no big deal to me, but it's there.

I *think* my alignment is off because the tires are making a bit more noise than before so I need to get that taken care of ASAP before I mess up my tires.

Anyway, so far I'm very impressed.

 

Thanks for the update Paul!!!! Your experience with it so far is clearly a very good reason to switch to coilovers from the L-tuned combo. I did not realize the difference between the two would be that noticeable - especially these two observations of yours -

"Just like the L-Tuned springs/shocks were a quantum leap in lessening the multiple rebound oscillations when going over bumps, especially low speeds one like speed bumps, the Tein Flex take it to another level, reducing going over a bump to just one 'rebound' and the car is set... this is great. This is with EDFC set to 8/8.

8/8 is comfortable (to me) in general driving. Even though the car is lower than it was before, it feels like I 'dip down' into the suspension less when going over bumps than I did with the L-Tuned. This keeps the car more composed.
"

Have you tried 6/8 setting instead of 8/8? I noticed that a couple of other members - for example DrewGS4 has his at 6/8 and I was wondering what difference that makes.

Have you also noticed if the springs have settled some more? I read on another thread that they settle anywhere from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch.

 

wow, great write up bit! hmm now, i'm at a troubled spot. i don't know whether to go with zeal, or tein with the edfc! ahh decisions, decisions.

 

in general you want to set the front stiffer than the rear a little bit for handling purpose. i don't know exactly why (someone explained to me before but i forgot) but you want the rear to be a bit softer for better grip, something like that?

 

Paul,
Congrads on your new setup, looks very nice. I love your rims as well...what kind are they?

Keep in mind that these will settle in about another 1/8 inch after you put some miles on it. Its not much but to the perfectionist it could mean something.

Since, I do not have the EDFC I really do not get a chance to change the setting very often to give a long term review on how they would drive on different setting variations.

I have driven them on soft setting and as bit says they do float and are pretty soft. I could not risk that since I am already pretty low and have a TTE lip spoiler with about 4 inch clearance. Bouncing around could risk catching my front spoiler and ripping me a new A**

Also, I ride with no spare so I am top heavy meaning most of my weight is up front. The reason I go stiffer in the front is to adjust for the engine weight. I go softer in the back because under hard cornering.....the shocks "flex" has to compress to keep me into the turn without sliding out. I locked up most of the rear play with my TOM's 6-piece links, rear STB and rear chassis brace. I am very stiff in the back...and the car needs to flex a little through the suspension....so keeping it a little softer helps.

The downside to this is the ride is much firmer. Over uneven bumps you WILL feel the impact.

Since our last bear mountain meet last summer....I tuned everything up to be tighter to hang with guys like PAULGS430. Since the meet, I never had the chance to soften things up. I plan on doing it during spring time and play around with the settings again. By than, maybe BIt and Hameed can give me good possible combinations on dampening settings.

 

I think Paul has 19" HRE 540R 8.5f and 10r with the "fat" set up. Very nice. I'm considering the same setup.

And Drew, you gotta get EDFC. Too much fun being able to have cruising settings and cornering/freeway curves settings.