Tein HA's or JIC FLA's
 

I have the opportunity to buy a used set of Tein HA's with supposedly 3K miles on them (no receipt or date) or a new set of JIC FLA's (discounted from list)

I'm fairly new to high end suspension (or least better than my current coilover setup) components. What are some of the +'s and -'s of each system?

I know the threaded collar on the Tein's is a PITA to move..... but which setup is better overall?

Any and all comments are welcome. I plan to roadrace the FD about 1-2x's per month and have 13" AP's/'99 RZ brake setup, and plan on getting 18x10" CCW's with slicks for the track. Car should have around 400rwhp/400rwtq.

Thanks in advance.

-Mark

NO Comparison, I have both. I am assuming you mean FLT-A2s. BTW I'll be at Sears Point this Sunday if you want to go for a SPIN ;) on some A2s in the Supra. Carl

The FLT-A2s have separate ride-height pre-load settings = ride height doesn't affect suspension travel and your springs don't go sproinging loose when you jack the car up. The FLT-A2s also appear to have higher build quality, but that's always debatable.

The FLT-A2 has stiffer springs -- 670/500 vs 560/400, but many have reported decent ride quality.

Bottom line is that the FLT-A2 is a better coilover, but it costs significantly more as well.

I though the reason to get Tien HA's or Flex's was because they are very streetable despite the trackable 550-450-ish rates. Those JIC's can't be streetable with those rates, can they?

Well, I certainly wouldn't think so, but several people who have them claim they ride very tolerably at the softer settings. Good shock valving or not, it's hard to believe. I've never ridden in a JIC car, but have ridden in the typical Ground Control 550/400 car and found it -- tolerable.

BTW, the Tein Flex is pretty much the HA, except with the benefits of the JIC FLT-A2 (separate ride height/preload).

so rynberg, it sounds like the flex is the best of both worlds?

I don't know. The functionality APPEARS to be identical between the JIC FLT-A2 and the Tein Flex. Both companies have had some quality issues. I know that Howard has shock tested the Tein's and been very happy with the results. It's too bad he couldn't do the same tests on the JICs.

I also know a few serious track guys that have been running the JIC FLT-A2s for a while with no issues and they like how the car drives.

Probably, unless you're Schumacher, you're not going to notice a handling differences between the Flex and the FLT-A2. I haven't directly compared ride quality so I can't help you there. As far as quality goes, I have heard of problems with both companies, but who knows.

I have the GC 550/400 setup on Koni adjustables. The ride is street useable, but as rynberg said...on the rough side. On the track I like the setup.

I will be going with the Teins next setup.

The best thing about the flex is the edfc. You can changing the stiffness with the push of a button on the inside of your car. Pretty nice if you ask me.

Three things:

1) The Flex doesn't come with the EDFC, it's another $400.

2) The motors for the EDFC prevent you from replacing the interior trim above the shock towers -- yuck.

3) Personally, I see absolutely no need to be adjusting shock settings "on the fly".

The TEIN HA is good because it makes your RX7 handle significantly better while at the same time not destroying the ride quality of your car if it is daily driven. Also, unless you are a VERY good driver, you will most likely not be able to make use of really expensive suspension anyways. Unless you seriously track your car every week like some track whores out there, I don't see any reason for someone to justifiably spend $1700+ on a set of suspension that will only make their ride quality worse for daily driving.

I suppose you are talking about my set of TEIN HA's. I got it brand new from Neofreak last summer for the full amount that he paid for it because he never got a chance to put it on his car, he is a well known member of this board, if you want you can ask him for receipts or anything

FLEX and HA is different in more than just the shock-lengh perch adjustability. The sleeve is teflon coated, the valve design is all different, and EDFC capability as you mentioned before.

TEIN has very good valving technology, in many ways I have to say possibly more superior to JIC. Even most of the models on both company have the same piston, rod diameter, but its all in the dampening curve that matters.

Spring rates doesn't mean everything. It is most importan when:

-the struts are valved to dampen the rate of ocsilation from the srping

-the car's suspension dynamic benefits most in the travel of the spring/strut

-the driver's preference in comfort and driving style.

Tein has done a lot of development on each model specifically for the car and the spring rates it is equipped with. They do a lot of racing simulation and track testing. Its a great value for what you get in these coil-overs.

Believe it or not they are very streetable. I have the FLT-A2's on my FD. I used to have single adjustable Koni yellow's with PFS springs. Personally there is no comparison. The JIC's are smoother on street roads and MUCH better on the track. My Dad has double adjustable Koni's with Ground Control "coilovers" adjusted by Tripoint and he seems to think I have the better setup.

In my opinion the JIC's are great if you run at tracks like VIR and Summit Point. They are also very streetable. I can't say anything about the Tein's because I don't have them, but I LOVE my JIC's.

- Cody

I have Tein HA on my FC vert and love it.
but i dont like to drive it round here in SF cause the roads are crap..

as far a JIC goes..they might make decent products in japan but JIC USA is not on my happy list. ive had many people i know get really bad servise though them. There are some other issues that have happend with frinds of mine dealing with JIC..none good, save for there Formula D driver Brian...he seems cool

Rishie got bored w/ JIC's customer service and stopped selling their products. What do you think?

thanks for the replies guys..... I'm still doing my research.

JIC's sound like what I want though.

Carl- I was out of town for a wedding. PM me when you race next. I'll be at Fernley (June 5th I believe) and definately at THill July 17th-18th.

-Mark

I wouldn't base what I bought on that. I got my JIC's from Rishie. Super nice guy and knowledgeable, but talk about lack of customer service. He should be the last person out of anyone to complain about someone else's customer service. The people at JIC USA were ten times nicer and more responsive than Rishie was to answer my questions AFTER I had already paid Rishie for the JIC's. Just my opinion.

- Cody

I understand where VTAOE is coming from. I couldn't even get a quote from Rishie after trying NUMEROUS times on some wheels. Ultimately, he lost the sale and any future business from me do to that.

Haha, guys just buy my TEIN HA's for 800 w/ pillowball mounts and you won't have to worry about dealing with JIC guys =)

what have u heard about the tein HE set up cause ive been lookin at them?

I have the JIC FLT A2's. With a 12 and 9 spring combination.

They are very streetable, appear to be really well built, and the guys at JIC were awesome to deal with.

I think this is the only way to go. The ride is stiff but matches how my RX 7 should feel. Like a sports car!!!

Tein uses noticeably smaller components when the HA and FLT are compared.


Agreed. Had a very frustrating time dealing with Rishie but the JIC guys have been nothing but helpful so far.
Ive had my JICs for almost a year now and am very happy with the overall feel and valving, havent had any technical issues either.