Tein flex a or flex z coilovers?

[Phuviano]

Thinking about buying coilovers. Strictly a street driven car. Might go try out the track one day, but it won't be a track car.

Do you guys think it's worth the price difference between the flex a vs flex z? Or should I get the flex z and save some money?

Also, what rear camber arms would you suggest. I want to have stock like camber and toe specs, while being lowered.

Thanks.

[Tristor]

The Flex As have the hydro bump stop so will be significantly better for street driving.

"I want to have stock like camber and toe specs, while being lowered." - No you don't. When you lower your car, you are in the process altering suspension geometry. Depending on how low you go, will determine what you need to correct, but at no point should you be shooting for a stock alignment, rather you should determine your expected ride height and align for that. Additionally, for handling performance you want more camber in the front than in the rear. A good place to start for a street-focused alignment would be around -2.2 to -2.5 in the front and -0.8 to -1 in the rear. You should be getting 0 toe in the front and about 1/16th toe in the rear. This is with an expected 1-1.25" drop.

For additional parts, you'll need at minimum a set of rear LCAs. You can get the SPC rear LCAs as a decentish cheap option. SPC also offers a complete alignment kit which includes rear LCAs, rear toe arms, and front camber bolts, however if you get Flex As they have camber plates already for the front.

If you're going the Flex A route, you should consider the CSG Spec Flex As.

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by Tristor

You should be getting 0 toe in the front

Any reason why you wouldn't recommend a smidgen of toe out? I find that it helps a lot on this car for turn in and braking stability. On point with everything else you've said, the camber plates up front are a huge plus, but the rear LCA are seriously needed for any lowering beyond 1"

[eastendraceshop]

The TEIN Flex Z coilovers are valved more for bumpy North American roads and will offer a more comfortable ride. On the softest dampening setting the Flex Z's will ride like a Lexus and your passengers will love the ride! If you are just driving on the street, these are a perfect choice. Comfortable ride, eliminated body roll, and much better handling over stock. They are capable of track duty as well.

I have the TEIN Flex A coilovers installed on my FRS and though they aren't harsh, the ride is more firm on the Flex A than on the Flex Z, which is why TEIN decided to incorporate the Hydraulic Bump Stop. They are valved with smoother roads in mind, like on a track. I love how the Flex A's drive, but IMO they are overkill if you plan to just do street driving.

As far as rear LCA's go, what's your budget and how low did you plan to drop the car? Feel free to shoot me a PM or email and we can discuss options!

-Sam

[Decep]

SPC LCA's have been fine for me. Cheap, ugly and effective.

[Phuviano]

Originally Posted by Tristor

The Flex As have the hydro bump stop so will be significantly better for street driving.

"I want to have stock like camber and toe specs, while being lowered." - No you don't. When you lower your car, you are in the process altering suspension geometry. Depending on how low you go, will determine what you need to correct, but at no point should you be shooting for a stock alignment, rather you should determine your expected ride height and align for that. Additionally, for handling performance you want more camber in the front than in the rear. A good place to start for a street-focused alignment would be around -2.2 to -2.5 in the front and -0.8 to -1 in the rear. You should be getting 0 toe in the front and about 1/16th toe in the rear. This is with an expected 1-1.25" drop.

For additional parts, you'll need at minimum a set of rear LCAs. You can get the SPC rear LCAs as a decentish cheap option. SPC also offers a complete alignment kit which includes rear LCAs, rear toe arms, and front camber bolts, however if you get Flex As they have camber plates already for the front.

If you're going the Flex A route, you should consider the CSG Spec Flex As.

Ok, cool thanks for the advice.

What's different about the CSG Spec Flex A's? I'm in Canada, so not sure if i want to deal with customs.

[Phuviano]

Originally Posted by eastendraceshop

The TEIN Flex Z coilovers are valved more for bumpy North American roads and will offer a more comfortable ride. On the softest dampening setting the Flex Z's will ride like a Lexus and your passengers will love the ride! If you are just driving on the street, these are a perfect choice. Comfortable ride, eliminated body roll, and much better handling over stock. They are capable of track duty as well.

I have the TEIN Flex A coilovers installed on my FRS and though they aren't harsh, the ride is more firm on the Flex A than on the Flex Z, which is why TEIN decided to incorporate the Hydraulic Bump Stop. They are valved with smoother roads in mind, like on a track. I love how the Flex A's drive, but IMO they are overkill if you plan to just do street driving.

As far as rear LCA's go, what's your budget and how low did you plan to drop the car? Feel free to shoot me a PM or email and we can discuss options!

-Sam

hmm.. interesting. I'm ok with stock like suspension in terms of harshness/stiff, but don't want to make it much worse if any.

As for height. I'm thinking anywhere between no wheel gap (not tucking though) to maybe a 1 finger gap.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by eastendraceshop

The TEIN Flex Z coilovers are valved more for bumpy North American roads and will offer a more comfortable ride. On the softest dampening setting the Flex Z's will ride like a Lexus and your passengers will love the ride! If you are just driving on the street, these are a perfect choice. Comfortable ride, eliminated body roll, and much better handling over stock. They are capable of track duty as well.

I have the TEIN Flex A coilovers installed on my FRS and though they aren't harsh, the ride is more firm on the Flex A than on the Flex Z, which is why TEIN decided to incorporate the Hydraulic Bump Stop. They are valved with smoother roads in mind, like on a track. I love how the Flex A's drive, but IMO they are overkill if you plan to just do street driving.

As far as rear LCA's go, what's your budget and how low did you plan to drop the car? Feel free to shoot me a PM or email and we can discuss options!

-Sam

Actually, the Flex A and Flex Z valving profile is almost identical. The difference is the Flex A is rebuildable, whereas the Flex Z is not. The Flex A has the HBS to prevent bottoming out under harsh conditions.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Phuviano

Ok, cool thanks for the advice.

What's different about the CSG Spec Flex A's? I'm in Canada, so not sure if i want to deal with customs.

The CSG spec Flex A's have a completely changed valving profile to truly maximize the strengths of the platform. The HBS has been redesigned into am internal secondary spring, to give you a track spring rate only under track conditions.

On the street setting, the CSG FLA rides **smoother** than stock. This has been independently verified. Check out this thread for the data. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126107

On track settings the CSG FLA sets records. Best of both worlds.

You can switch between the two settings by just turning the knobs; it takes less than 30 seconds.

[eastendraceshop]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Actually, the Flex A and Flex Z valving profile is almost identical. The difference is the Flex A is rebuildable, whereas the Flex Z is not. The Flex A has the HBS to prevent bottoming out under harsh conditions.

I see. I'm just stating what Paul and Adrian from TEIN USA told me about the valving for both kits, and my personal experience from driving customer cars and my own FRS with the Flex A's on them.

-Sam