I'm looking over several different shocks/springs... car is used for open track events. This question pertains only to the Tein RS shock, one of several I'm looking over.

By way of background, I'm used to running high spring rates and KONI DAs on several prior cars, so those types of issues aren't a question here. Nor am I interesting in slowering, slamming, looks, or other such poseur BS. Gotta be functional, and this is about as high as I want to go in price.

I'm not looking to compare/contrast with other shocks/springs, but I am looking for somebody who has tried this piece on the track with their S2000.

Why the RS? Double adjustability is my requirement. And, adjustable height, although I don't want to go down very much if anything.

Anybody out there?

 

Hey Jeff, have you ever looked into Koni DA's? I was just thinking that support, particularly for a race suspension, is just as important as the raw product as you tweak things and need replacement parts/rebuilding.

Anyway, I don't think you need any go fast parts. . . then I'll never be able to catch you.

 

My typo, it was DAs I ran before. And, other than having them built custom, they aren't available here.

But, this question is solely about Tein RSs.

 

I can't really comment, only having done a couple auto-x laps in a local North Texas owner's Tein RA equipped car. It felt very nice, but I wish I could have tried it out with my race tires one. In any case, the main reason I haven't purchased a set myself (double adjustability not being especially important for me) is that the spring rates are the same front and rear. I don't think that's quite appropriate for our cars... I don't know what sort of springs you're looking at for the RS's, though. Whatever, I also have spent some highway miles as a passenger in this car, and the ride was perfectly acceptable.

 

The car Elistan is referring to is mine. Like he said, they are the RA's not RS's. However, I can tell you that I've been very happy with the RA's on the track. For me the RS's were overkill with dual adjustments although the external reservoirs would have been nice. It sounds like you may have more of a handle on damper tuning.

I currently have them setup .9" lower front and 1.1" rear with a slightly more aggressive alignment. The damping settings for autocross are 8 clicks from stiff front, and 4 rear. IMO, the car is well balanced at these settings and very responsive to throttle inputs. A simple lift tightens the line yet leaning on the gas steers the car. The neutral throttle position in between is wide and easy to stay within. I have a pretty good idea that the tires probably have a lot to do with this as well.

As far as the spring rates go, they are identical front and rear at 10kg/mm. With the 225/50 front and 245/45 rear set-up it works great. The 205 front is not nearly as nice. You have to max out the rear damper settings at full stiff and reduce the fronts to get turn in at the limit. It does tend to plow! Just in case you are wondering the 10kg/mm is stiff but is very comfortable on the road as Elistan stated. When combined with a quality damper most higher spring rates as tolerable.

Build quality is very good. No leaks, no rust, and no install problems. The only thing I ran into was a noisy pillo-ball mount on the passenger rear. I had it replaced and it's fine. That's another high point, TEIN has a re-build facility in CA!

Let me know if there is something more specific you wanted to hear about...

 

Jeff - the Nov 2002 issue of Sport Compact Car has an article on the Tein shop in Japan. I had it with me yesterday, just didn't get around to checking it out until later.

 

Sounds like the RAs would work very well, and this is quality stuff...

But, I am still set on dual adjustability...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Schatten
[B]Nov 2002 issue of Sport Compact Car has an article on the Tein shop in Japan.

 

Sounds like the RS's are for you! Get that wallet out....

 

Something needs to be done asap - these stock shocks are shot.