Has anyone heard anything about these new Tanabe Sustec Pro Seven Coilovers? When used with their TEAS (Tanabe Electronic Active Suspension) Controller, they're supposed to be self adjust (tighten) as you increase in speed. I have RB sways on right now and my ride is intolerable in dirt roads. I'm really interested in getting these, but I'd like to know if its softest setting is softer than stock for when traveling on crap roads or merely crusing on the freeways. I'm sure the hardest setting is plenty for the occasional drifting.

thanks,

-jc

http://www.tanabe-usa.com/coilovers/seven.asp

 

Those look nice, Similar to the Tien with EDFC I suppose

 

well it sounds impressive anyways ...

 

Generally speaking, most coilovers will come with significantly stiiffer springs than stock. And while a well designed kit can offer a good ride on the street when the dampers are set to full soft, I suspect you will find they are too stiff for dirt roads.

Having said that, stiff springs are probably better than stiff sways for dirt roads. Sways tie the wheels together (left to right) so that a bump on the left side of the car will also upset the right side. The downside to this on the street is debatable but on a dirt road it is exactly the opposite of what you want.

My advice (and given that I have no experience with making ANY car handle dirt roads take thiswith a grain of salt) is to look for a coilover kit which a) doesn't increase the spring rates by a huge amount and b) lets you set the ride height to near stock levels so that you retain wheel travel. Then, reinstall your OEM sways. These Tanabes sound interesting but if they come with very stiff springs look elsewhere, like the JICs in the "S" configuration, or something from Tein.

 

standard kit is 8kg front/6kg rear, no listing yet on the Hard Driving Motorsport version

the shocks are made by KYB

 

So how do those spring rates compare to the JICs and Tein?

 

Tein Basic - 8kg/6kg
Tein Flex - 9kg/7kg

JIC FLTA2S - 8kg/5kg
JIC FLTA2H - 10kg/7kg

 

Thanks. What are the stock spring rates -- you know?

 

2.8/2.0

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/spring-rates-33424/

1 kg/mm = 55.9 lb/in

 

The Basics are 8kg/6kg?

then why are all these talks of it being too stiff of a setup ?

Is it because the Flex's and the FLTA's dampening can be adjusted while the Basics cant?

I just bought a set of basics and i have been hearing quite a few stories of them being too stiff for normal driving?

any help would be great thanks

 

three times stiffer than OE, that's pretty stiff

 

Vince...install them..you will like them ....PM me if you want some help...takes about 2.5 hrs....

You are a young guy...you're supposed to drive a stiff car

 

Dan thanks for the offer But i think im gonna have a shop do it i think.... i wont have time to do the install myself i dont think... sigh...

 

Your 300 bucks Have a good holiday and good luck......

 

300? 120 would do i think?

 

any feedback yet for the Tanabe Pro 7 on the Rx8 ?? Really eager to know ...

 

woudl the FLTA2H be one of the stiffer setups for the rx8 in terms of coilover kits and noticably harder than the FLTA2S's?

 

I'd suggest calling Brian Goodwin at www.good-win-racing.com. He has a set of the S's installed, I do believe, and would have a good idea of what to expect from the H's.

If the RX-8 application is like the Miata application, then I would expect the H's to give a decent ride except over larger bumps. When I installed my FLTs on my Miata, (at that point there was no H and S distinction, but my rates are very "H") I expected a bone-jarring ride but was prepared for that in favor of excellent autocross performance. The ride turned out to be surprisingly comfortable, and I have no problem using the car daily or for long trips. Big bumps and stutter pavement are pretty harsh, but everthing else is fine.

Based on that experience, I suspect the S's on an RX-8 would give an incredible ride/handling tradeoff, with the H's still be streetable but giving up a bit of ride quality for better handling. In the end it all depends on what the local road conditions are like for you.