CSG Tein Flex A vs RCE superstreet 1's
 

Looking to replace my stock dampers and RCE yellow combo for something a little more geared for track and auto X while still retaining OEM or better ride quality. They are nearly the same price. Paring it with 245/40/17 SX2's and RR street BBK on the front. Just looking for thoughts from owners.

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sames
 

i was wondering about this as well. looking for a mainly street coilover that has better ride than the PP sachs. the new 949 xidas also fits the bill but out of my budget. so its down to these 2.

No experience with the Flex A's - but I did swap from RCE yellows/Stock dampers to the SS1 coilovers and am pretty happy with the SS1 performance. The Flex A's have the same spring rate, the damping is probably somewhat different.

Let me split my observations into 2 parts. Impact harshness and then response to "lower" frequency undulations.

I'd say the SS1s are better than stock in impact harshness over sharp bumps when the shocks are dialed back to a street setting.

With about 2x the stock spring rate however (fronts at least), you will notice the difference in ride. In a lot of ways it's good : handling in general, less body roll, etc -- but it does have some drawbacks for particular road surface/speed combinations. If memory serves the spring stiffness effect was a little more noticeable from Yellows to SS1's than from stock to yellows, but you get the better damping at the same time that helps things out.

"ride quality" seems to mean something different to everyone. The performance benefits are there and in general the ride is not worse than stock - just somewhat different - at least to me.

Hopefully that helps.

another interesting option thats in the same price bracket is HKS GT IV 20spec and spec-A.

20spec is 5K/5K
spec-A is 6K/6K but has more front stroke

both were designed to be more comfortable street daily coils.

coilover shopping is a real headache

@jflogerzi -OP what did you buy one of these and are you happy with your decision?

Any other feedback on csg fla vs ss1? Am interested in a street coilover that can function for HPDE's and these two options are currently at the top of my list.

Thanks in advance!

We're working on adding (as an option) rear lowering mounts to our kits btw. Tons of travel as is but front lowering camber plates and rear lowering mounts for even more compression travel at lower ride heights is extra nice. :)

No ETA yet, working on logistical details.

We've been really happy with our SS1 kits! Just an awesome all around performer that's a lot of fun. A true road & track suspension at a great price. I've been on stock shocks for rallycross reasons this year and I miss my SS1s a lot. My girlfriend does too, which was unexpected (she is very much not a car person). The SS1s were better on the crap streets of Baltimore that I live on. They have more compression travel than stock at recommended ride heights and of course the valving is better. As mentioned above, the softer springs of OEM have advantages in some instances, but overall ride is IMO better than stock.

- Andrew

sadly still have not added suspension changes yet... These 2 sets are on my radar.

I ended up going RCE. They have a really great reputation and seem willing to give advice assistance to dial in your set up.

My experience is still very limited as I blew up my motor at a track weekend the day after my new suspension came in[emoji24][emoji2357][emoji24]

So mine is still new in box sadly[emoji24][emoji24]

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My SS1s have been good for the ~10k miles i've put on them. Run them about an inch lower and keep them at the softer street setting RCE suggests in the instructions. Everyday lil bumps are probably better than stock, big dips/impacts at freeway speeds are definitely worse than stock. Don't expect miracles for ride quality when you double your spring rate

Sounds like your discomfort was from hitting the bump stops.
If that's the case, you were likely either too low*, or actually needed a higher spring rate.
I believe SS1s don't have separate damper body length adjustability, so incorrectly set bump travel can't be the reason.
Another possibility is that your rebound settings were too high for the street.

* — from the perspective of "given the spring rates, the suspension didn't have enough travel to absorb enough energy too hit bump stops".

Yeah approx double the spring rate of stock isn't going to be perfectly smooth ride quality 100% of the time! But I've swapped between stock and SS1 a lot over the past year and I miss the SS1s a lot when they're not on the car for just basic around town driving in Baltimore city. It's different...better in some ways and for me overall better.

Tuning just for the really big bumps would make some compromises elsewhere! (especially with a mid-level coilover system).

- Andrew

It's not discomfort really, its just a fact that on the highways near me, they put these big dips in the road at certain points and if you're going 70 or 80 mph your butt is going to launch out of the seat for a second. I've hit bump stops before and this aint it.

I think I am going to give the CSG Tien's a chance. Website says in stock in October so just in time for when I get a nice bonus as work.

Bumping this thread. As we get close to October I am still on the fence... Between these 2. Would love some first hand accounts. Vendor support is both good and price is the same. Guessi g you can't go wrong with either...

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Bumping because I’m curious as well. I understand that both CSG and RCE have a presence on this forum, so maybe nobody wants to be honest...but someone’s got to do it!

I went a different route. I really think either would be a fantastic choice.

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What made you go to the other route ?
Care to share.

Thanks.

I was planning to compete in the 86cup in street class and looking to keep my Supercharger setup. I had no more points available for both so I decided to keep my current setup and add peddler top mounts for camber vs camber plates. For daily driving and track driving I have not reached the limited of my current setup.

OE 17 non PP dampers, RCE Yellow Springs and the peddler top hats.
-2.3 camber front, -2.2ish in the rear.

Probably next year I will move to a dedicated coil setup as I am removing boost next week and going back to NA+Flex Fuel to focus on becoming a better driver vs all out lap times. Plus I want to get some ride along to some comparisons between:

RCE SS1 and T2's
CSG Tien Flex A's
Annex Suspension CSPs

The T2s look to be interesting.
Coilover shopping is a time consuming affair. :) if you need them to be street friendly and track worthy.

And everybody's feel of stiffness and comfort is subjective.

I saw the SS1 for sale and it seems like you are getting the T2.

How did you like it? Is there a reason why you are moving to T2?

The reason why I ask is I’m looking for a mild setup later this year and was considering the ss1. I had KW clubsports on my wrx a while back (which I think the T2 is based off of) and honestly wasn’t experienced enough to understand the full benefit when I tracked/autoxed on them at the time.

SS1 have there limitations. My car has gone from a daily driver to dedicated track car no longer legal to drive on the street(Thanks CA). The SS1 are a bit slow in the transitions and are not setup to hop curbs as well as the T2's. T2's are meant more for dedicated Track cars which can be driven on the street. SS1 are meant for Street/Canyon that can be driven on the track. I will update my thoughts in a new thread at the end of the month. I have a date at Big Willow in CA as my first track day with the T2s

So FYI thanks to the snow store we got in SoCal, I was unable to make it out to Big Willow. Next chance to test the T2's will be March at Chuckwalla

I’m not sure if this will be the year, but my plan has been to go with B6s with OEM springs all around. My priorities are:

Ride quality

A close second is

Suspension/wheel control.

OEM, or very close, ride height.

No track use and limited to no flat out cornering. My wife’s cornering limits are about 7/10ths on OEM suspension with Conti ECS tires. My personal tastes vary, but my limits are nothing much over 8/10s.

What is the best way to get there?