I'm not sure why they're more expensive. It seems like a better deal to me, too. I think they may be slightly more expensive with the EDFC thrown in, but even still it's probably the best coilover setup for both street and track use for the S2000. I mean, did you ever think you would have a system where you would be able to control damping from inside the car? Typically, your car has to have a prancing horse or bull on it to get those kinds of gadgets!

 

But how well does it work? I've tried the active suspensions in Corvettes and I didn't like them. The plain old Z51 "sport" suspension was much better (and weighed a lot less). I'm pretty sure the Porsche 959 had an active suspension, but if it was anything like the rest of that car it was about 20 years ahead of its time and cost $4958549854.

The new Cadillac CTS-V has an active suspension that works pretty well. The damping and rebound adjust accordingly in "competition" mode as does the steering.

I would want to see how the Tein EDFC works in the real world as normally something like an active suspension would need to be tuned for the particular car it's being used on.

 

The FLEX with the EDFC is $7 more than the RA but that is not a fair comparison because the EDFC is an add on. with out that the FLEX is about $350 less.

 

The EDFC is not an active suspension. What it does is control the rebound on the suspension. It has 4 step motors that when you push a button on a control box adjusts it for you. It is not something that changes second by second. If the road ahead was really bumpy you could make it softer, or if you were getting on the highway you could make it harder.

I am trying to find the differences between just the suspensions though. There is about a $350 difference and I just can't figure out why. The RAs are a mono tube which is a better setup, but then you guys are giving several aspects of the FLEX which are better then the RA. There has to be (hopefully) something that sets the RA apart from the FLEX. Thanks so far for all the help.

John

 

There is a word of mouth that all Tein suspension are backbone jarring stiff. How true is this with the Flex? How soft is the lowest bump/rebound setting? Is it softer than the stock suspension with this setting?

 

It's just that, word of mouth. I've driven 3 separate cars, each with a different Tein suspension setup, and they have all been different. Yes, some of them can be filling-loosening stiff, but if that's the case, just get different rate springs and dial down the shock damping. That's why you choose Tein, you can adjust it to meet your needs. Actually, the Type RA for the S2000 is damped and sprung very similarly to stock, but the handling characteristics of the car are vastly improved. It rides like stock, but body roll is reduced, and the steering response and feedback are almost telepathic!

 

Thanks for the feedback Clayman. I've got a set of Drummon Motor Sport coilover so I know what's a good system can do to the car's handling .....and best of all the lowest setting is softer than stock and handles very well. I've heard that the lowest rebound/bump on the RA is still harsher than stock coilover though. Is this true?

I love the idea of hassle free adjustment with the flex system though. This flex system was not available when I got my DMS. I am interest in more feedback(s) on the lowest bump/rebound setting with the Flex system?

 

i don't think Tein RA's ride quality is that harsh.
i'm running 5 clicks from the hardest setting.
when i drive on the street, it feels just like my stock suspension.
If i go drive on the freeway, it's a different story.
i'm pretty happy with the suspension.
the car handles very good now.
however, i got the suspension installed, racing spec aligned and cornor weighted at one time. so i don't know if the tunning contributes a major portion on the improvement.
i only find one problem with the system.


it seems to me there is no fu*king way that i can fit my fingers under the gasline filling pipe to adjust the driver rear suspension.
can somebody please tell me how -------------------------------- ?!

 

The Flex is made of steel. The threads are Teflon coated not to prevent seizing from dirt, but as a layer of protection for rust (something the SS model doesn't have). The RA is a full aluminum damper, casing and brackets. It is considerably lighter (lift each one and you'll feel a dramatic difference in weight) and will not rust (so no need for teflon if the material itself is rust proof). Aluminum is more difficult to work with and the additional labor/cost required to manufacture it is reflected in the price. Also, a lighter damper results in less unsprung weight resulting in a quicker responding suspension setup to both steering and bumps. Less weight makes the shock itself work less since during bump, it's mostly the unsprung weight that will store energy in the spring and the shock will need to dissipate. The monotube vs. twintube design also factors into the cost, but most of the cost is due to the material of the damper and brackets. The Flex may be the best choice for needs, but the RA is a better shock. If you don't need or care about the features of the RA and feel the Flex's features are more suitable for your requirements, then the Flex would be a better choice.
The Flex (and even RA) aren't valved that aggressively. I feel BC RS's are valved more aggressively, and in some applications, JIC's are valved more aggressively than the Teins. But, I've never ridden with these shocks in an S, only on other cars.

 

Thank you, that was the kind of explanation I was looking for.

John