Opinions: Tein Flex, HE or Buddy Club RS???

[Supra Hunter]

Hi guys, I just need opinions on what set of coilovers I should get for my 98 Kouki S14? I'm building the car towards Wangan/Highway runs and a little drifting on the side... Most likely HE wouldnt be an option then right? well let me here your opinions...

[Akuma Trueno]

how about
JIC FLTA1 ? good product and nice price. 5 way damper fully adjustable body. like FLTA2 but with twin tube 5 way damper

[DuffMan]

If you are going for "Wangan/Highway runs" I would get the Flex's for maximum softness. Do you know what its like hitting a rut in the road at +100mph with Tein HE's?

[Chernobyl]

Not JIC because they take longer to rebuild and you have to send them to Japan... Tein does it all in california.

Softer spring rates are probably better for high speed highway fun.

Personally, I'd get Tein RAs... but that might be out of your price range.

[Supra Hunter]

Thanks for the input guys. Anybody know about the Buddy Club Racing Spec Dampers??? I want to know how these are...

[oojpeeoo]

ENDLESS b2!

[aznpoopy]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

If you are going for "Wangan/Highway runs" I would get the Flex's for maximum softness. Do you know what its like hitting a rut in the road at +100mph with Tein HE's?

exactly what i was thinking... u want softer suspension to absorb bumps and bruises at those speeds... i've never driven on HEs but i would think you'd be losing grip like nothing else.

[AutoRnD]

try some spring shock combo's if you are that concerned with hwy racing/mountain racing... sometimes softer = better.

[AlexAtPerformanceNissan]

HE's all the way!...

-Alex B.

[Ghst 01]

Originally Posted by AlexAtPerformanceNissan

HE's all the way!...

-Alex B.

I'm with him... HE's are good all around

[s0ldats]

for wangan? no i don't think so. maybe spring/shock would be better.

[Salty_X]

You guys are on crack. I have HEs and I definitely wouldn't use them for 100+ runs on highways that look like the surface of the moon (maybe NYC isn't like this, but I doubt it). On smooth highways it might be ok, but I'd still go with the softer stuff, like Flex, or even spring/shock combo if you don't mind not being able to lower it much.

[Supra Hunter]

SaltyX, you are so right about the damn streets over here! f*cking craters on some of the streets, most highways arent bad though... till you get to the exits hahha... anyway FLEX might be the way to go, i definitely want to have the adjustability of a coilover system. still no inputs on the Buddy Club Racing Spec? also the FLEX's spring rates are 5/6??? iirc thats whats posted on Tein website...

[Hawd]

5F 4R are the spring rates for the s14 Tein Flex model

[alkemyst]

if you go to tein's website they have the spring rates. The S14 FLEX are not 5/4, the S13 are. S14 is 6/5.

[variable]

Originally Posted by alkemyst

if you go to tein's website they have the spring rates. The S14 FLEX are not 5/4, the S13 are. S14 is 6/5.

Woohoo, my first post here... please be nice

Actually the S13 Flex look to be 7/7 if you look at the specs given on this page: http://www.tein.com/ti/p04.html . I just installed them on my S13, and they feel awfully stiff, bouncy even, I was hoping for a little bit softer ride (which is why I went with the Flex over the HEs). I think I'm going to have to buy softer springs... does any body know the procedure for doing so? Does Tein sell direct or do I go through the shop I bought the Flex from (I took advantage of the optionimports group buy)?

[nightwalker]

why you guys whinning about HEs being too stiff? I've had them for a long time and love them.

[pruto]

whats wrong with stock? =)

*sigh* damn, i was suppose to sac up and be the sacrificial lamb on the buddy club thing, sorry guys. if you're adventerous and want to be different, i'd try the RS, its a pretty reputable company and the honda boys love theirs. I'm not sure about support but buddy club just came to the US, saw them at D1. 15 way adjustment, inverted front shocks...

from my experience:
shock/springs that are too soft or incorrectly dampened offers a bouncy, less stable ride on the freeway. my current coilovers give me more confidence than my old shock/spring combo. Although, truthfully, stock definately felt the smoothest/best at high speeds, going straight that is.
i haven't tried HE, but i heard they're pretty rough. But it doesn't mean all coilovers are rough on the streets (keep that in mind). The only real downside with stiff springs is big bumps/dips that you don't see, beware bumpsteer.

kouki s14 is a nice car, get coilovers that won't give it a crap ride. get rides from coilover owners and decide for yourself.

[AutoRnD]

try some zeal coilovers.. the b6 lineup the way to go.. not too stiff and not bouncy.. or try some gp sports... or you can always order the tein or buddy club ones.. We carry it all. but i suggest zeal cause they are the best things since apple pie.

[Salty_X]

Originally Posted by nightwalker

why you guys whinning about HEs being too stiff? I've had them for a long time and love them.

Maybe they're blown.
Nah, I love mine too, but for what this guy wants to do I don't think HEs are the right coilovers for him.
You get used to the stiffness after a while, but there are still some sections of the freeway around here that I wish I didn't have to go through. Unfortunately I commute every day so that's not possible.