Kain

which and why>?

Kain

BUMP! (pun kinda intended)

shelleys_man_06

I would go with the TEIN Type Flex, as long as it was compatible with the EDFC. I would love to see what that electronic device can do! :D

If that's not the case, then I would rather have a custom spring/shock combination. I'm waiting to see what shock companies have in store. So far, I've only seen Mazdaspeed and Koni. Hopefully KYB, GAB, and the others will come out with more options.

Kain

well bump bump! I wanted to order these things tomorrow (monday) any other opinions>?

robertdot

What is the EDFC?


As far as my choice, I was looking at the JICs...

shelleys_man_06

Sorry about that robertdot. The Tein EDFC is short for Electronic Damping Force Controller, which is exclusively made for Tein products. The Tein RX-8 featured in Sport Compact Car not too long ago sported the CS coilovers, and the EDFC. It allows for, I think 16/32-way adjustable damping, from the inside of your car. No spanner wrenches, at least in theory. Here's a link to Tein USA's page referring to the EDFC:

http://www.tein.com/edfc.html

Brian Goodwin

My weekend with JICs:

Friday: drove 450 miles to Laguna Seca.

Saturday: did 202 miles of track time as an instructor for the first annual all Mazda day.

Sunday: drove 450 miles home.

Over 1000 miles in three days....and the JICs worked great the whole time, comfortable enough for long hauls, firm enough for serious track work....enough said.

robertdot

$380 (list price)??? Nice.

Kain

so 2 out of three for JIC's>?

robertdot

Tein may be sounding better I still like JIC, for whatever reason.

shelleys_man_06

I wish I could say which one is better for handling, ride, etc. Unfortunately, I don't have the resources, namely money, to test all coilover systems for the RX-8. I'm sure the function of each isn't all too different.

Kain

there sure is a big difference in price from the lowest to the highest. where the JIC's are about in the middle.

shelleys_man_06

Price, yes, but quality, that depends. Sometimes, you're just paying for the name, especially with the big brands like HKS, GReddy, etc. However, companies such as these exceed in some areas while sucking hardcore in others. I'm sure you could out-do these coilover systems with a good spring-shock combination, but who wants to crunch numbers to get that suspension sweet spot? :p

Kain

I hear you! I do like the flexibility though, whereas I am not sure I would be changing the rates all the time. I have ordered tanabe front and rear sways and am wondering if I should go that route all the way and get the tanabe coilovers>?, I don't know though cause I have never talked to anyone who has had any experience with them. the HKS sure seem pretty sweet though

suzuka

I would pick HKS, over on your list. cause hipermax, they have a special floating piston to make the bump alot smoother (something like Ohlins pcv system). which I don't thing the other have it. And Tanabe are make by KYB, which are also really good too!Personally ,I like HKS> Tanabe> JIC > Tein.

StretchSJE

Stay away from JIC's.

I've heard mixed things about Tein, but generally they're favorable. Their electronic controls are convenient, but a rip-off. They're just glorified $5 stepper motors; you could probably DIY for less money.

Are those your only choices? Generally the brands that have been doing shocks for actual racing teams the longest are the best.

Here's an article that basically says, "You get what you pay for, except some brands suck:"
http://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com/shocks.html