Bkmckay2

Just to let everyone know i just read in Import Tuner Magazine last night that there is a new coilover system coming out from Tanabe. This system might just give Tein a run for their money. It is the only other system that I know of that is electronically controlled from inside the cockpit. Not only is this system electronically controlled but automatically controlled as well. In other words you can set parameters in the sytem and when such parameters are reached the suspension adjusts on it's own.

Genesis

This looks interesting, at least on the surface:

http://tanabe-usa.com/coilovers/teas.asp

If anybody can find any reviews or reports on TEAS, please post 'em.

Bkmckay2

I have checked out the Tanabe-usa site as well. There is no cost posted as of yet either. The article clearly stated that an RX-8 kit will be available soon but no date is estimated as of yet.

Here is something to think about: The Tein system offers three pre-programmed ride levels for your EDFC system. The Tanabe Seven system offers up to nine pre-programed parameters meaning the system could adjust in twenty mile per hour increments. So the faster you were able to go the lower your car would come to the ground and when you started to slow down your car would rise back up. Now that is what i call a custome coilover system. Tein I hope that you're are in the works for an answer to this system otherwise your sells are about to plummit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

RotaryN00b

The Tanabe 7's with the TEAS for the RX-8 are supposed to be released in about a month. And the expected price for the kit is going to be about $300 or so more than the Tein Flex + EDFC.

I'm definitely holding out for the 7 +TEAS setup... Tanabe is taking the technology Tein is using, and making it one step better... Not to mention, the adjustments on the Tanabe system will be quiet, where the adjustments on the EDFC units could be heard.

I can't wait.

PUR NRG

Except for the bit where what a suspension needs to do has almost nothing to do with how fast the car is going. At 60mph cruising the suspension should be softer for a smooth ride. At 60mph in a slalom the suspension needs to be stiffer to maintain traction. Same speed, two totally different suspension requirements.
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HOME MADE VAPORIZER

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

Maybe i'm missing something here but the website only talks about adjusting the dampening parameters. Essentially the stiffness of the shock. That's not going to lower your car.

And PUR_NRG brought up a good point. Your dampening levels should not adjust based on speed alone. This system does have a manual mode where you can save 4 settings and just switch back and forth. This is really good for any of us that track our cars and also use it as a daily driver. Overall i don't really see the benefit in this for the amount its going to cost.

Volkov

Who told you that you can hear the adjustments on the Tein Flex? I've had them on my car for about a year and haven't heard one sound. Take everything you read on the internet with a grain of salt...

RX4life

they arent talking about air-ride coilovers or airbags, those systems are expensive...haha.. TANABE must be referring to DAMPENINGGGGGGG!!!! :D

Bindon

Soooo Does it adjust dampening or ride height....or both?

DPE

iTrader: (1)

Damping only. It would take some serious engineering and a serious price tag to make coilovers with conventional springs and shocks be able to lower and raise the car on the fly. And when you use air bladders for the springs, such as the Bridgestone Praxis systems, you pay a good $3500+ for the kit. Not exactly cheap either. And just so we're all straight on this, these are conventional coilovers with height and damping adjustment. They've added an electronic controller that can actuate little motors on top of the shocks to adjust damping based on your desires or in steps based on vehicle speed. This controller only adjusts the stiffness of the shock (damping; compression and rebound together), NOT the ride height.

I have to say it looks pretty slick, but remember that the quality of the actual mechanical shock valving is the key to how well your suspension will work. You can have all the electronics in the world, and if the fundamental mechanical parts are marginal then it'll still be a marginal suspension.

That said, Tanabe generally makes good stuff. Their previous coilovers have not been on the same level as Tein or HKS from what we've seen, but the new 'SEVEN' models appear to be quite a bit more robust, and offer a full-length adjustment system similar to the Tein Flex. They are twin-tube, and some who see that will be put off as monotube is generally considered to be 'better', but we have not found that to make any difference in the real world.

I'll reserve judgement until we can test one of the kits for ourselves, but take it with a grain of salt. Just because it can do a nifty trick and make adjustments based on vehicle speed doesn't mean you'd necessarily want that. I find that on the road or track, consistency in responses is what I look for. I want the car to act the same through every corner, in every circumstance. Playing with damping levels based on speed could work really well, could make the car feel strange, or could have little net overall effect.

Great to see more parts on the way for the RX-8 though; the car has one of the finest chassis in the world (really, bar none), and the more companies that are working on making the suspension even sweeter, the better off we all are .

RotaryN00b

I've ridden in more than one car that you could hear adjustments by the motors in the EDFC. Meow.

Volkov

Alright "man of steel". Leap over a building and then tell me what color my underwear is with your x-ray vision.

jenkins-crew

Very interested in these, post any updates that anyone hears!!!!

epitrochoid

i dunno..i've never been a fan of hugely complicated suspension systems...what if one of those actuators failed and you had one super soft damper and 3 stiff ones? instant nightmare.

Im_DANomite

iTrader: (1)

the is no coilover system out there that automatically adjusts HEIGHT. that would be an airbag system.

what you guys are thinking/reading about is the actual dampening of the shock absorber. it adjusts how harsh/soft the ride will be.

8 is enough

has there been any update

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

not electronic, but Koni is bringing out a new-technology street shock, it changes stiffness automatically dependent on the driving conditions, no Mazda applications yet though:

http://www.koni-na.com/fsd/index2.html

jenkins-crew

I need coilovers soon, something automatic would be nice. Have you contacted Koni yet for an ETA on RX8 application?

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

no, they will only be replacements for the OE shocks though i.e. you would have to supply aftermarket springs, etc. just like the Mazdaspeed shocks

jenkins-crew

bummer! But, might need those too.

CURRENT9

hmm ... seems the Tanabe Pro 7 is not actually out yet for the RX8 huh ? Really need to know if it is any better compare to the TEINS FLEX coz I am seriously looking into getting a set of coilover for the 8....

CURRENT9

Would really appreciate if anyone can also tell me if the TEIN flex able to adjust its camber as well? Can I add a camber plate to it ? If I could how much will it roughly cost? Likewise the question goes to the Tanabe Pro 7.

JOHNRX8

Not sure if this is what you are lookin for : http://www.hopupracing.com/tasuprosecom.html