Tein ss coilovers question

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by jh87, Jun 21, 2012.

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  1. jh87

    jh87 Junior Member

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    I am looking into upgrading my suspension with Tein SS coilovers, but notice the maxium height (minimun drop) in the rear for prius is 1.9 inch. I think it is way too low to start wtih. Am I missing something or this is the way the Tein should be?
     
    #1 jh87, Jun 21, 2012
  2. Dakine50

    Dakine50 Member

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    jh, -1.9" I think is too low as a "starting point" for the rear springs. I have the Tanabe Sustec Pro S-OC and my rear springs start at -1" and max out at -2 1/2".
     
    #2 Dakine50, Jun 21, 2012
  3. jh87

    jh87 Junior Member

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    I am interested in Tanabe too, but the Pro S-OC is not damper adjustable, right? they have the new model call Z40, but when I calle Tanabe USA a few days ago, I was told they are still doing the fitting test for the Z40.

    By the way, how is the Pro S-OC ride quality, I prefer a mild drop with a smooth ride. Curretnly I have the TRD lowering spring on, although the handle is much better but the ride is too harsh to my taste.
     
    #3 jh87, Jun 21, 2012
  4. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

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    You already have the TRD springs on your Plug-in? Pics please..

    Regarding the Tein SS.. the specs look funny to me.. I found this at this site:

    Ride Height Drop:
    -1.7 Front
    -1.9 Rear

    Minimum Ride Height Adjustment
    -2.4 Front
    -2.3 Rear

    Maximum Ride Height Adjustment
    -0.7 Front
    -1.5 Rear

    Listing the Ride Height Drop separately is odd. If the Maximum Ride Height Adjustment numbers were (+), that would make more sense. I do not know.. no idea.

    Anyhow, are you sure about getting the Tein Super Streets? I thought they were discontinued.
     
    #4 Tracksyde, Jun 21, 2012
  5. Dakine50

    Dakine50 Member

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    Correct jh, the Pro S-OC coilovers aren't damper adjustable and that was my preference. My car will never be tracked and all I was looking for was a smooth ride with an adjustable drop. I believe coilovers that have adjustable damping have to be "corner weighted" to reap the max benefit. Some coilover springs require to be preloaded as well. Just too many adjustments for a street ride for me.

    Just my opinion, if you thought the TRD springs rode harsh, I don't know if getting coilovers would be any better.

    Before I bought the coilovers, I had a set of Tein H-tech springs which rode fine for me but I wanted to go alittle lower. In my search for coilovers I also looked for lower frt/rr spring rates. to try to keep the ride as close to stock. Hope this helps.
     
    #5 Dakine50, Jun 21, 2012
  6. jh87

    jh87 Junior Member

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    thanks Dakine, that is good info.
     
    #6 jh87, Jun 22, 2012
  7. jh87

    jh87 Junior Member

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    I haven't made up my mind yet. that is why I am here looking for help. Tein SS still listed in many online retailers, but giving its rear minimum drop at 1.9 inches, I may go with Tanabe.
    But why Tein designed such drop for prius, I don't understand.
     
    #7 jh87, Jun 22, 2012
  8. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

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    I took a look at the Tein site to see how they list the min/max height. Here's an example (from the Toyota Echo):

    Capture.PNG

    Here, it says "Approx" and then lists a height adjustment range. If we apply this to the specs on the Tein SS for the Prius, then I would think it would mean:

    Approximate ride height (I guess with the perch around the middle of the collar)
    -1.7 Front
    -1.9 Rear

    Minimum Ride Height Adjustment (lowest)
    -2.4 Front
    -2.3 Rear

    Maximum Ride Height Adjustment (highest)
    -0.7 Front
    -1.5 Rear

    So in that case, the minimum lowering in the rear would be 1.5". That makes more sense.​
     
    #8 Tracksyde, Jun 22, 2012
  9. jh87

    jh87 Junior Member

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    I think you are right about the Tein SS for prius being discontinued. There are two models listed under prius in the TEIN USA website. one is the street basic model, STBN, the other is the Advanced Street model, STAA. both have the rear minimum drop at 1.9 !
     
    #9 jh87, Jun 22, 2012
  10. Jae-DM

    Jae-DM Junior Member

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    I have the TEIN street advance coilovers which are set at 1.85 in front and 2.05 in the rear.
    The ride quality i believe is very close to stock when adjusted on full soft. The spring rates that come with this kit are
    very non-aggressive around 4kg front and rear. I have been riding on these for over 6 months with no problems and the ride is
    smooth. As far as ride height adjustment, I could probably go another 1.5" lower than my current setup but it's not recommended
    by TEIN.
     
    #10 Jae-DM, Jun 22, 2012
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  11. jh87

    jh87 Junior Member

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    what is your rim size? I have 17'.
     
    #11 jh87, Jun 22, 2012
  12. ockevin

    ockevin Active Member

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    Can you post a pic of your Tein setup and the overall side profile . I would like to see how it looks. THanks.
     
    #12 ockevin, Jun 22, 2012
  13. Jae-DM

    Jae-DM Junior Member

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    I have the 17" plus wheels that came with the plus package.
     
    #13 Jae-DM, Jun 22, 2012
  14. Jae-DM

    Jae-DM Junior Member

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    I might have a side shot photo layin around somewhere. If not I'll take some updated pics and post.
     
    #14 Jae-DM, Jun 22, 2012
  15. jh87

    jh87 Junior Member

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    Thanks for the info. I went ahead and had the TEIN street advance coilovers installed. very happy! more comfortable than the TRD springs.
     

    Attached Files:

    #15 jh87, Jun 30, 2012
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  16. Jae-DM

    Jae-DM Junior Member

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    Your car looks awesome! Wish I had a plugin as well. I recently got a plugin loaner car from toyota and drove it for 3 days and really enjoyed the better gas mileage as well as the plug-in capability. It seems like a better car overall. So where do you have your TEINs set at as far as ride height and damper setting? I have mine set at full stiff and the ride is still pretty good. Later on i'm going to have my TEINs revalved with some stiffer swift springs. I have always wanted a firm ride and my current setup is too soft for my taste even when adjusted on full stiff.
     
    #16 Jae-DM, Jun 30, 2012
  17. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

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    So what was so bad about the TRD springs? I dont know the spring rates of the TRD springs, but I wouldnt think they would be that stiff. That would seem to indicate the stock shocks probably werent working well with the TRD springs.

    How was the range of the adjustment? Your car doesnt look too slammed, so is it at the very top or close to it?

    I think that's the first Plug-in I've seen lowered.
     
    #17 Tracksyde, Jun 30, 2012
  18. jh87

    jh87 Junior Member

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    The TRD spring is a little bit too harsh to my taste, especially on those tined concrete surface, you can almost feel very single groove. I have the TEIN stetted at softest for now but will slowly turn up the firmness. The rear is at highest point but the front is lower than its maximum setting.
     
    #18 jh87, Jun 30, 2012
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  19. kknguyen1168

    kknguyen1168 Member

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    Hi all

    so!!!! which one is better for smooth drive!!!! I have a set TRD and going to install next couple week; however I do not have any idea which is better, all I want is a smooth drive, 70% of my drive is in highway, this is a question for all people who install TRD, TEIN and Etc.... , please post your expert opinion.

    V/r

    Khoi Nguyen
     
    #19 kknguyen1168, Jun 30, 2012
  20. kknguyen1168

    kknguyen1168 Member

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    Expert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    no opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    V/r

    Khoi Nguyen
     
    #20 kknguyen1168, Jul 2, 2012
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