Tein Flex, EDFC, clearance on 2G

[logic]

Hi,

I've been researching an eventual upgrade to a Tein Flex setup, and one the of the points in it's favor (besides being a damn good coilover) was the EDFC. Looking through the Tein website, however, they say that there are clearance problems with the EDFC motor mounted on the front struts. Thus, a few questions for the crowd:

• Are the clearance issues with the hood, or with the strut mount point?
• If it's just the hood, how close are we talking about? A few millimeters that could be recouped with an aftermarket hood or pulling the heat shielding, or a significant "lump" that won't be worked around without a little custom hood work (a couple of vents on each side or something to open it up a bit)?

And, just a general question: who's running the Tein Flex, who's using the EDFC, and what are your opinions of each? The Flex: worth the money, wish you had your Koni yellow's and your money back, or wish you'd just paid more and gone Bilstein? The EDFC: a cool on-the-fly adjustment feature, reminds you too much of the mack-daddy-bouncin' stuff for you, or a poor substitute for said air suspension?

 

[Initial DSM]

I dont know of any clearance problems, at least it wasnt mentioned to me by the mecahanic, nor the allignment guy that fixed my wheels. No problem with my hood. As far as ride, it goes from hard at 0 to soft at 16, and you can set it at whatever. Very stiff suspension, the ride is still a bit bumpy,(I live in NY so it will never be perfect) but these are top quality, so I cant imagine any other coilover/springs being any better save for maybe JIC. Plus i have 17" low profile tires too. I'm satisfied with it so far. 1.9" in the front 1.5" in the rear with edfc on 10 as recommended setting by Tein. I would suggest a camber kit. I was just recommended to get an extreme range adjustable ball joint kit from Stemf (?) Automotive. My front camber is at -1.7 on the left, and -1.9 on the right. Its supposed to be at least -0.25. I'm currently trying to find more information on this product and company. Can anyone help? I cant find a website for them. its damn expensive though! 150 for each ball joint! with labor, it comes to $700! Thats my main problem now because I'm not sure whether to get this or Intrall's camber kit ($350). I do have a castor problem, proablably due to my control arm breaking last month from a manhole in the street maybe knocking it out of wack. My car will turn to the left slightly when I let go of the wheel, so I gotta fight a little to keep it straight. That might have something to due with the ride quality now, so please dont take my opinion on the springs as final word. Hopefully it will feel better once I get it fixed. The castor right now is at 0.5. If anyone can help, thanks. Handles like its on rails if that helps you any.

 

[logic]

I was just going by the information posted in the EDFC fitment chart on Tein's website, which claims that there's not enough room for the installation on the front. Just to be clear: are you running the motors up front, or just in the rear?

As far as camber goes, yes, I'm already planning on adjusting that as soon as money for the Tein's materializes. Take a look at Road Race's website; 2G camber kits from Specialty Products for the front are only $110, and for the rear are $40, and they're just the first place I checked (which means you can probably do better if you shop around).

 

[Initial DSM]

Thanks for the links. I'm still a little confused on your original question, but I guess I'll read up on it to figure it out. So far my motors work fine for both front and rear. Sometimes in the morning, the display will flicker a bit, or not show clearly when I start the car. I'm thinking this might be because of the temperature. The alignment guy said he'd do some research on some kits for me. I gave hime the Ingalls website. He said you cant order the Stemf kits direct? And that normal camber kits wont fix my problem because theyre not adjustable enough, or dont have enough range. All he specializes is in alignment and does alot of lowered cars, but aagh i gotta do more research.

$700! thats cutting into my turbo fund!

 

[ILLMINDED]

So your alignment guy is saying that these wont work????
FRONT...

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These extended range upper control arm anchor bolts are a must if you have lowered your car for performance or need to align a stock vehicle. Number 87580 adjusts camber from 0 degree to +1.50 degrees and number 87590 adjusts camber from +1.75 degrees to +3.25 degrees. One kit covers one side of the vehicle.
REAR...

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73620 Adujstable Chrysler Rear Camber Bolt and Bracket - Extended Range (up to 3" drop)
This bolt and bracket set allows for greater rear camber change ( -.75° to +3.00°) on 1995 and up Sebrings, Avengers, Talons and Eclipses. One kit covers one side of the vehicle. This kit is ideal for use on lowered vehicles

 

[Initial DSM]

wtf is that?? what company? I'm really pissed at that alignment dude. He was trying to sell me STEMPH Automotive extreme adjustable steel ball joint kit for front and rear.Not that they dont work but its $150 a pop (for 4wheels) . "You cant even FIND these kits anywhere, let alone order them!" "Im not trying to push you into it, but if you want your car to ride perfectly, you NEED to get this or your tires will wear out in a week!" "ALlthe other camber kits you see will only give you a 1 degree adjustabilty, where you need up to 3 to fix your problem" $700 to buy and install the kit, but OH he wont CHARGE me to realign the car again because I paid him cash $110 for the first alignment instead of his $120 fee. (charged me $30 extra to adust the height, which isnt included normally in alignments). Basically, I went to another alignment place to get a 2nd opinion, and he even gave me the number to Stemph. Called them up, had to pretend I work at a shop, and found out that the front kits are actuall $105 each, and the rear is $35 each, bringing the total to $280 as opposed to his $600 price! Damn bastard. He basically dissed any other camber kit on the market saying its all junk. Then he said he'd do some research on some of the companies (Ingall) when I didnt exactly jump at the idea of ordering his kit, but never called me back. Is all I know, I gotta fix this fast, I think I'm starting to actually see some wear on my front tires, and I installed the suspension last friday.

 

[Initial DSM]

Originally posted by logic
Hi,

I've been researching an eventual upgrade to a Tein Flex setup, and one the of the points in it's favor (besides being a damn good coilover) was the EDFC. Looking through the Tein website, however, they say that there are clearance problems with the EDFC motor mounted on the front struts. Thus, a few questions for the crowd:

• Are the clearance issues with the hood, or with the strut mount point?
• If it's just the hood, how close are we talking about? A few millimeters that could be recouped with an aftermarket hood or pulling the heat shielding, or a significant "lump" that won't be worked around without a little custom hood work (a couple of vents on each side or something to open it up a bit)?

And, just a general question: who's running the Tein Flex, who's using the EDFC, and what are your opinions of each? The Flex: worth the money, wish you had your Koni yellow's and your money back, or wish you'd just paid more and gone Bilstein? The EDFC: a cool on-the-fly adjustment feature, reminds you too much of the mack-daddy-bouncin' stuff for you, or a poor substitute for said air suspension?

I spoke to TEIN. There shouldnt be any clearance issues with this kit, because it comes with pillowball upper mounts as opposed to their SS kit, which you have to order it seperatly.

 

[ILLMINDED]

Originally posted by Initial DSM
wtf is that?? what company?

Specialty products. www.specprod.com

 

[logic]

Originally posted by Initial DSM
I spoke to TEIN. There shouldnt be any clearance issues with this kit, because it comes with pillowball upper mounts as opposed to their SS kit, which you have to order it seperatly.

Doh! I was misreading their fitment chart and was reading the column regarding the SS, not the Flex.

Thanks for the confirmation!

 

[SOURCE1064]

I just ordered the Tein Flex with EDFC for my GSX and dropped my load when I saw that they said they front won't fit. Hopefully Initial DSM is right since the flex comes with the pillowball upper mounts that it will work. I don't understand why they sell the EDFC if it isn't fully functional for the cars they list on their chart, it's a lot of money to spend just to be able to adjust the rear two shocks. I e-mailed Tein this morning about this and I’m waiting to hear back from them. My suspension is being delivered today but it won't be on for a few weeks until the engine is back in.

 

[Initial DSM]

I am right about the chart so dont worry. It did tell the guy at Tein that it is confusing to look on the site and can be misread (the chart), but Ive spoken to several people now as well as the mechanic who installed mine and theres no problem.

Incidently, I was cleaning my room the other day, and I found an old sport compact magazine with a really good Tein article in it, showing the main factory in Japan and all their main products and future ones. They are working on a reliable air ride suspension with dampening that will suitable for street driving and more comfortable than the hydraulic suspensions that are out here. Not sure if they'll make it for our cars, but they did say eventually for Evo's and Nissans.

 

[SOURCE1064]

Cool thanks for the feedback. Tein's website is very confusing to understand when it comes to the EDFC application chart.

 

[SOURCE1064]

My suspension got delivered today hopefully it will be on my car within the next 2 weeks!

 

[SOURCE1064]

This is the reply I got from Tein today, their chart is very confusing.

To Charles:

All of our EDFC control unit would work with the Flex kit. It must of been
the Super Street kit that you were mistaken.
Thank you for your interest in TEIN High Performance Suspension Products.


Staff @ TEIN USA INC.
7631 Somerset Blvd.
Paramount, CA 90723
Phone: (562)633-7387
Fax: (562)633-7291
www.tein.com

 

[Initial DSM]

Yeah its confusing. Congrats on the kit though!
I gotta save up for a camber kit now. Make sure you lower to 1.9" front , 1.5" rear. thats the suggested height.
I got my edfc on 6 setting front and rear in 16 mode.

 

[SOURCE1064]

I'm planning of having the car as low as I can with rubbing with my 18" x 8.5" rims. Since my car is in pieces it will be on in a few weeks and hopefully I can enjoy it by mid April.