Anyone have long term update for Tein Stech Springs or Koni Shocks?
 

I have decided to go with the Tein Stech Springs asap after reading all the reviews on here, but I was wondering if anyone had any long term updates on their performance, settling time, etc. with the stock shocks, and also for anyone that paired them with the Koni Sport adjustable Shocks.

These are the two options I am looking at:
-Tein Stech Springs (stay with stock shocks)
OR
-Tein Stech Springs with Koni Sport adjustable shocks

Any long term updates or opinions either way? I will not really be doing much racing if ever, but I do like the lower look in front and enjoy taking turns on the highways here in Houston at 70+ ;) Thanks for any input.

dont take any value in what i say.... but i'm guessing the stock shocks wont match the Tein spring rates very well

I have H-techs (rides higher than S-tech, with a lower spring rate than S-tech) paired with Koni's. Very comfortable setup for daily driving. Noticeable performance increase. Koni's will pair up with most anything.
Word of wisdom- go too low and you're not going to like your car around town when negotiating curb cuts and bump.

Im in Houston with that exact setup. Words of advice. Don't go any stiffer than 1 turn up from full soft on the shocks. It gets pretty bumpy on our shitty roads. Also, make sure you get an alignment about a week after installing and driving around on them. I haven't really had any issues with mine thus far. Hope that helps

I have Tein S-techs with Konis, since beginning of May of this year. I have put about 12K on the setup since then.

The setup, IMO, is too low. It's lower than advertised because of the Konis (it's as advertised when paired w/ stock shocks).

It took about 2-3K miles for springs to settle and be about .25" lower. My front lip ground clearance used to be 4.75", it's now about 4.25". Though I only noticed it 9K later, when I had to get my tires replaced and my car was suddenly too low for the lift.

The springs are holding up fine, although I wish that the rates were stiffer (given the drop).

If you drive a lot, I wouldn't go on stock shocks.

I would recommend Tein H-techs, as you will get the drop you want, but it won't be so low. Maybe even Racing Beat. I myself will try Mazdaspeed springs next.

I had the car aligned 300 miles after installation. It definitely needed a realignment after settling more. So plan on two alignments and make note of the original drop so you can track the extra settling.

Edit: photo of drop:

http://ilp303.com/albums/miscrx8/was...que2.sized.jpg

Another option you might want to think about is pairing the Teins with Tokico D-Spec adjustable shocks, their range is a bit softer then the Koni's, a little more street friendly. I have mine set in the middle and the ride is only a bit stiffer than stock. If the springs have settled since I installed them, it's only a mm or 2 because I haven't noticed any more drop. I've been on this setup for about 8 months now and am very happy with it.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...pex8/tig04.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...pex8/tig02.jpg

^
Everyone has this impression that Koni's are too stiff for street driving. I found this not the case at all. They are very comfortable at moderate adjustment.
On another note, rear adjustability, installed, on the D-spec is a great feature which the Koni does not have.

the issue is that the springs are too low for the (soft) rate; they bottom too easily

the OE shocks are high gas pressure monotubes and the Konis are low gas pressure double tubes, springs with Konis will be lower as a result

and no, high gas monotubes are not always better than low gas doubletubes, don't believe all the garbage you read, it comes down to the quality of the materials and sophistication of the internal design

^^ TEAM have you done any testing with the koni's and springs regarding how soft is too soft in which bottoming out can occur?