TEIN Flex Z Release!

[CSG Mike]

How much preload are you running?

I'm guess you have JDM spec Flex Z, as the USDM spec has only been on the market for about 2 weeks now? Japanese roads are exceptionally well maintain from what I understand (I have no firsthand experience, so can only relay what I've heard)

[Mars2]

Thank's mike for your answer.

Like I said I use the USA spec as mention in the manual

Front
A= 92mm/3.6"
B=28mm/1.1"
C=170mm/6.7"
D=106mm/4.2"

Rear

A=115mm/4.5"
B=35mm/1.4"
C=244mm/9.6"
D=164mm/6.5"

What are the serial number of USA flexZ?

Am I right to increase pre load to get car higher with more travel like I would do on my KW V3 and H&R from my other car ( those don't have independent high adjustment).

Because if I only adjust the ride height I will not get more travel just more high car so still hit the bump stop isn't it?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Mars2

Thank's mike for your answer.

Like I said I use the USA spec as mention in the manual

Front
A= 92mm/3.6"
B=28mm/1.1"
C=170mm/6.7"
D=106mm/4.2"

Rear

A=115mm/4.5"
B=35mm/1.4"
C=244mm/9.6"
D=164mm/6.5"

What are the serial number of USA flexZ?

Am I right to increase pre load to get car higher with more travel like I would do on my KW V3 and H&R from my other car ( those don't have independent high adjustment).

Because if I only adjust the ride height I will not get more travel just more high car so still hit the bump stop isn't it?

More preload = less compression/bump travel before hitting the bump stop.

I recommend running with minimum preload.

I did not run into issues with bottoming out and believe me, Los Angeles roads are BAD.

[Mars2]

How do you manage not touching the under tray and exhaust of the car when drop more than 1"? I touch every wear. only on smooth flat road is ok.
When I said flat I mean from right to left side of road. B road are often convex here.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Mars2

How do you manage not touching the under tray and exhaust of the car when drop more than 1"? I touch every wear. only on smooth flat road is ok.
When I said flat I mean from right to left side of road. B road are often convex here.

Minimum preload, proper damper setting.

Have you tried adjusting your dampers?

[Mars2]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

More preload = less compression/bump travel before hitting the bump stop.

I recommend running with minimum preload.

I did not run into issues with bottoming out and believe me, Los Angeles roads are BAD.

Yes I try adjusting my damper and the best I found was 7 front and 5 back. 7 front to have more weight transfer and more dampening and 5 back because any thing more and I bottom all the time.

so I will try the GT86 setting from FlexZ manual. As BRZ setting are very close to USA setting:

Front
A=100mm/3.9"
B= 32mm/1.2"
C= 178mm/7"
D= 110mm/4.3"

Rear
A=130mm/5.1
B=52mm/2"
C=259mm/10.2"
D=181mm/7.1"

SO 4mm less preload in front and 3mm less preload at back than USA setting

then adjust ride hight 5mm higher on the back. as this set up is supposed to be 10mm higher front and back than USA setting.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Mars2

Yes I try adjusting my damper and the best I found was 7 front and 5 back. 7 front to have more weight transfer and more dampening and 5 back because any thing more and I bottom all the time.

so I will try the GT86 setting from FlexZ manual. As BRZ setting are very close to USA setting:

Front
A=100mm/3.9"
B= 32mm/1.2"
C= 178mm/7"
D= 110mm/4.3"

Rear
A=130mm/5.1
B=52mm/2"
C=259mm/10.2"
D=181mm/7.1"

SO 4mm less preload in front and 3mm less preload at back than USA setting

then adjust ride hight 5mm higher on the back. as this set up is supposed to be 10mm higher front and back than USA setting.

I don't understand why you're so stuck on the USA default settings, when you're using JDM dampers. Try the recommended drop, but with minimum preload (only enough to hold the spring in place, but loose enough that you can rotate the spring.).

Is that 7/5 from maximum or minimum damping?

[Mars2]

It's 7 and 5 from maximum. stiffest. or to the left, unscerw.

Because I do not believe they would produce totally different shock unless I see that serial number are different. then I will see that I did a mistake. But no body can give me USA serial number.

Thank's for all your time I really appreciate.

[churchx]

Try scrolling back page or two in thread where pics were posted. IIRC there were some numbers in them on plates over coilovers.

[tracerit]

I called West End Alignment for install and alignment and they want to do everything in one day. I hope I didn't insult the guy but I was taken aback since I thought alignments should be done after the car has been driven a bit to let things settle. But that's my experience with springs, are coilovers different? :/

[93Targa]

Originally Posted by tracerit

I called West End Alignment for install and alignment and they want to do everything in one day. I hope I didn't insult the guy but I was taken aback since I thought alignments should be done after the car has been driven a bit to let things settle. But that's my experience with springs, are coilovers different? :/

I do the same. Install, let the suspension settle for a week or two than perform an alignment.

[2much]

Originally Posted by tracerit

I called West End Alignment for install and alignment and they want to do everything in one day. I hope I didn't insult the guy but I was taken aback since I thought alignments should be done after the car has been driven a bit to let things settle. But that's my experience with springs, are coilovers different? :/

I highly trust Darin and Chris over at West End for what it's worth. If you haven't been there before I do not think you will regret it after the appointment.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Mars2

It's 7 and 5 from maximum. stiffest. or to the left, unscerw.

Because I do not believe they would produce totally different shock unless I see that serial number are different. then I will see that I did a mistake. But no body can give me USA serial number.

Thank's for all your time I really appreciate.

I'd recommend you try adding more damping for spirited drives; that's a very soft setting.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by tracerit

I called West End Alignment for install and alignment and they want to do everything in one day. I hope I didn't insult the guy but I was taken aback since I thought alignments should be done after the car has been driven a bit to let things settle. But that's my experience with springs, are coilovers different? :/

The Flex Z do not settle much, if at all.

If you really want, you can always set two appointments, one for install, and one more after to align. But, knowing Darin and Chris, they're not gonna allow you to walk out with "just an install" because your alignment will absolutely be off with just an install, and they don't let sub-par/unfinished work out of their shop.