Review: Tein H-Tech Lowering Springs
04-09-2009, 02:54 PM
#1
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Review: Tein H-Tech Lowering Springs
Because the Tein H-Tech lowering springs are not that popular with the RX-8 Club members and there is limited info about them I decided to post this review because I think these springs are extremely good.
I have put 200 miles on my H-Techs since the install and I love the safe mildly lowered stance and the ride quality.
Drop comments:
The front drop is -1in (-26mm) and the rear drop is -0.3in (-8mm). The Front Spring Rate is (kgf-mm/lbs-in): 3.2/179 and the Rear Spring Rate is (kgf-mm/lbs-in): 2.3/129. Though the drop is fairly mild the look is a perfectly balanced street stance that evens out the wheel well gap between the front and the rear. I choose to run the H-Techs for ascetics and for streetability. I do not feel overwhelmingly nervous on the pock-marked streets of New York City. I only need to be a little careful entering some sloped driveways.
Ride comments:
Me and my passengers agree that the ride is much improved over the stock RX-8's suspension.
As a driver, the car is flatter through the corners and the steering feels a little bit heavier. The car is also more responsive from side to side.
As a passenger the car actually feels slightly smoother. I think the H-Techs are better at absorbing the smaller bumps in the road compared to stock. The ride is noticeably smoother and small bumps are muted from the cabin. My wife actually mentioned that the ride was more smoother but she could feel the car 'gripping more' through the corners. I did not prompt comment from her but she offered the information voluntarily!
In summary, the Tein H-Techs have been the best lowering springs I have ever installed. I've had sleeve coilovers from Skunk2, Ground Control, and springs from Eibach and H&R, but these Tein H-Techs have given me the most enjoyment. If you live in a major city with bad roads but want a lowered look that won't get you into trouble I think the Tein H-Techs are your best bet for the dollar!
I'll add pictures just as soon as I get my summer wheels on!
I have put 200 miles on my H-Techs since the install and I love the safe mildly lowered stance and the ride quality.
Drop comments:
The front drop is -1in (-26mm) and the rear drop is -0.3in (-8mm). The Front Spring Rate is (kgf-mm/lbs-in): 3.2/179 and the Rear Spring Rate is (kgf-mm/lbs-in): 2.3/129. Though the drop is fairly mild the look is a perfectly balanced street stance that evens out the wheel well gap between the front and the rear. I choose to run the H-Techs for ascetics and for streetability. I do not feel overwhelmingly nervous on the pock-marked streets of New York City. I only need to be a little careful entering some sloped driveways.
Ride comments:
Me and my passengers agree that the ride is much improved over the stock RX-8's suspension.
As a driver, the car is flatter through the corners and the steering feels a little bit heavier. The car is also more responsive from side to side.
As a passenger the car actually feels slightly smoother. I think the H-Techs are better at absorbing the smaller bumps in the road compared to stock. The ride is noticeably smoother and small bumps are muted from the cabin. My wife actually mentioned that the ride was more smoother but she could feel the car 'gripping more' through the corners. I did not prompt comment from her but she offered the information voluntarily!
In summary, the Tein H-Techs have been the best lowering springs I have ever installed. I've had sleeve coilovers from Skunk2, Ground Control, and springs from Eibach and H&R, but these Tein H-Techs have given me the most enjoyment. If you live in a major city with bad roads but want a lowered look that won't get you into trouble I think the Tein H-Techs are your best bet for the dollar!
I'll add pictures just as soon as I get my summer wheels on!
Last edited by 416to212; 04-09-2009 at 03:10 PM.
05-15-2011, 07:39 PM
#10
Sorry to breathe life into a dead thread; but I had to thank the original poster because this is exactly the information I needed. My 2004 RX-8 is a daily driver and the rear OEM springs have sagged so badly that I have to replace them. My options are replace them with a new set of OEM rear springs, or replace all four with aftermarket springs. After hearing that the H Tech springs might offer improvements to ride quality and handling at the same time, I was intrigued, so I was looking for actual user reviews, and this was exactly what I needed. Thank you!!!
05-19-2011, 08:38 PM
#12
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I'm trying to decide between S-Tech or H-Tech springs with some Koni Yellows. I currently have 225/45ZR18 and am worried that the drop might be too much with the S-techs. Thanks for the review though.
05-19-2011, 11:11 PM
#13
I HATE SPEEDBUMPS!
05-20-2011, 07:47 AM
#15
01-21-2012, 11:42 AM
#16
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H-Tech's
I've had my 06 now for just over 4 years and just visited Rotary Performance (Garland, TX) for the first time. Chris installed the H-Techs for me and recommended them over the S's. I have to agree with the review and with Chris's reccomendation.
Thank you for taking the time to post this as it really helped me make a decision between the H and S. The difference in ride quality is quite amazing with the OEM shocks installed. I actually might consider taking the car out on a distance trip now that it cruises so much better. The H-Techs really balance the cars look without giving it too drastic of a drop for me to be concerned about the front spoiler scraping. When leaving Rotary Perf yesterday I was informed by Chris that it would take a few days (maybe a week) to fully settle.
Thank you again!
Thank you for taking the time to post this as it really helped me make a decision between the H and S. The difference in ride quality is quite amazing with the OEM shocks installed. I actually might consider taking the car out on a distance trip now that it cruises so much better. The H-Techs really balance the cars look without giving it too drastic of a drop for me to be concerned about the front spoiler scraping. When leaving Rotary Perf yesterday I was informed by Chris that it would take a few days (maybe a week) to fully settle.
Thank you again!
01-31-2012, 01:41 PM
#17
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Thanks for this info. I am probably going to be looking into some H-Techs then. DC has crap roads abound and I don't feel like listening to the scrap over every pot-hole and speed bump.
01-31-2012, 04:37 PM
#19
Consider that a big drop in the rear will run you out of the stock camber adjustment range. -30 mm is giving me a minimum rear camber of about -2.5 degrees which is likely enough to cause extra tire wear. More parts would fix it, but add $$.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/gtspec-fully-adjustable-camber-toe-arms-228165/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/gtspec-fully-adjustable-camber-toe-arms-228165/
thanks 9krpm. I was always told and read that the stechs were lower, thats why i went with them. 3 years ago.
02-01-2012, 10:04 AM
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9k, that doesn't seem to jive with the rest of the resources out there.
The h-techs are listed as a front drop of -1.0 and rear of -0.3.
The s-techs are listed as a front drop of -1.7 and a rear of -0.7.
This is from Tein's website:
H-Tech prices and specs by car
http://www.tein.com/products/high_tech_price_list.html
S-tech prices and specs by car
http://www.tein.com/products/s_tech_price_list.html
Am I reading something wrong here?
The h-techs are listed as a front drop of -1.0 and rear of -0.3.
The s-techs are listed as a front drop of -1.7 and a rear of -0.7.
This is from Tein's website:
H-Tech prices and specs by car
http://www.tein.com/products/high_tech_price_list.html
S-tech prices and specs by car
http://www.tein.com/products/s_tech_price_list.html
Am I reading something wrong here?
02-01-2012, 10:08 AM
#23
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9k, that doesn't seem to jive with the rest of the resources out there.
The h-techs are listed as a front drop of -1.0 and rear of -0.3.
The s-techs are listed as a front drop of -1.7 and a rear of -0.7.
This is from Tein's website:
H-Tech prices and specs by car
http://www.tein.com/products/high_tech_price_list.html
S-tech prices and specs by car
http://www.tein.com/products/s_tech_price_list.html
Am I reading something wrong here?
The h-techs are listed as a front drop of -1.0 and rear of -0.3.
The s-techs are listed as a front drop of -1.7 and a rear of -0.7.
This is from Tein's website:
H-Tech prices and specs by car
http://www.tein.com/products/high_tech_price_list.html
S-tech prices and specs by car
http://www.tein.com/products/s_tech_price_list.html
Am I reading something wrong here?
Yeah it doesn't jive with what is on paper but that the thing with suspensions, wheels, and tires, there are a lot of variables. The silver car is Grungepups car and he is still running the H techs, only now he has Koni Yellows installed so it is even lower now. In the above picture, both of our cars were running stock shocks.
02-01-2012, 08:53 PM
#24
I know this isnt the place for it but are springs something i can install myself (having no prior experience) I was looking elsewhere and some people said it could take an hour per spring, id rather bring it someplace to get it done but if its going to take hours then it might not even be worth it.
02-01-2012, 09:09 PM
#25
If u have no experience. Its either going to be a great adventure or leave it to the pros. Lol its really not hard an our a spring is a little overkill. Think I got done in 2 hours. But I think there was a DIY if u can follow directions then go for it!