Couple questions for those guys (and gals) running the Tein Basics.

The shocks are NON adjustable, correct? Only the ride height is Adjustable, correct?
I'm assuming if you do not buy them with pillow ball mounts, then you need to re-use your stock mounts, or get new ones. Is that correct?
What exactly IS a pillow ball mount? How does it work? Worth buying?
For the fronts:
Lets assume you've got a mount up top, what about the bottom? Does it require modification of the factory strut mount? For instance, does it quire cutting of the bottom shock mount (where it bolts to the hub) And then you have to slide the Tein kit into the bottom half of the OEM mount?

Okay, so let me compare the Tein's to the Tokico D specs. Same questions as above for the Tokico's.

Here are the two kits I am looking at:

Tokico's
http://www.raceinspired.com/p-6724-tokico-d-spec-series-advanced-handling-suspension-kit-chevrolet-cavalier-jf37-1995-1998.aspx
Tein's:
http://www.raceinspired.com/p-9564-tein-basic-coilovers-damper-kit-chevrolet-cavalier-1995-2004.aspx?affiliateid=10065&

Okay, one final question. The last set-up I had and really want to have again is AGX's and Ground Control's. I loved the ride. I loved the height that I had it at. I loved everything about them. Do either of these kits here ride anything like ground controls? I'm trying to get a complete kit before I piece stuff together. Plus, if I get a complete kit, it's a touch cheaper, and everything is made to work together.

So overall, what I'm looking for is something I can assemble in my apartment, then go out to the car, unbolt oem, and bolt in drop springs. Basically I want to put them in like a quick strut. Top mount, bottom mount, brake lines, and go.

Thanks ahead of time. Any extra info you have about these kits, please add. I want to learn as much as I can before I buy. If you have an opinion of them, say it please.

the basics are ride height adjustable. damping is not adjustable. the basic's do not have the pillowball mounts. only the ss have the mounts and i don't believe that you can buy just the mounts from tein but i'm sure somebody will jump in.

the pillowball mounts are alot more precise and take the rubber out of the equation in the strut mount. (in other words, the strut shaft will move around less as there is no rubber to flex) the pillowball mounts also are camber adjustable.

the tein kit is a bolt on affair. no cutting, just unbolt the old, swap strut mounts and bolt on the new. (or buy new strut mounts and then you can just throw the new stuff in)

i'm sure others will pipe up that actually have the basics. (i have the tein ss setup and absolutely love it)

I have Tein ssp's and its completely worth the couple hundred bucks over just drop struts and coils. The pillowball upper mount is a solid bearing that likely wont wear out for the life of the car, unlike the normal upper mounts which supposedly die in a year in lowered systems. The ssp's also come pre-assembled, ie the spring is already on the strut so installing them is pretty easy. And no one will ever mention this but the packaging for them says that they're not for use on public roads, but who pays attention to that anyways.


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Leafy wrote:And no one will ever mention this but the packaging for them says that they're not for use on public roads, but who pays attention to that anyways.

Everything aftermarket says that. I pay no attention and I play dumb. But thanks for the heads up.

Okay so the Tein ssp are the super street's?
And that would be a yes on the pillow ball mounts. I need new mounts as it is, so it's either get the pillow balls now, or just get some factory's and later down the road get overkill's solid mounts.

Okay, so thoughts/opinions on the d-specs?

Oh and I'm not sure I can swing the SS kit. Thats a bit more than I was hoping to spend.

I'll link you to the guy I bought my kit from, shipped it super fast and even called to confirm that I ordered the right thing online. Oh and its the cheapest price you'll find them new. Grip Motorsports Actually I take it back that they're the cheapest, they were when I bought them. Now sparktec is the cheapest.


1994 Saturn SL2 Home Coming Edition: backup car
2002 Chevy Cavalier LS Sport Coupe: In a Junk Yard
1995 Mazda Miata R-package Class=STR
Sponsored by: Kronos Performance

WPI Class of '12 Mechanical Engineering
WPI SAE Risk and Sustainability Management Officer

Thanks for the links. I'll keep those in mind, but I'd like some opinions on the d-specs before I buy.

loveeee my d-specs and sportlines!
but need more low!!!!

I'm the same way as Smoosh.. I loved the ride of the D-Specs, but even the Sportlines werent low enough for me so I got a set of RK Pro Street coilovers. the ride is kinda soft for my liking, esp due to my body kit. I've heard good things about Tein, no matter what set you get.. the more you spend, the happier you'll be.. rule of thumb I guess



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Actually smoosh, I might be hitting you up for your set-up like we discussed. I was going to buy this week, but I have to hold off, again. Looks like I won't be able to guy until late this year, thanksgiving or so.

Keep the opinions coming though. Would really love to hear more from the Tokio guys. Best descriptions you can give.

The d-specs I posted are a coil over strut kit, like the basics, not just the struts. Really curious about the ride stiffness, strut adjustments, and all the same questions I had for the basics, The strut mounts and such.

Adjusting the d-specs wont take you more than 5 minutes on all 4 corners. The d-spec / sportline setup is great. I like the drop personally, on any stock body car it looks great. For a high quality setup proven to be very track worthy and still quite streetable you can't beat the price

let me know man!
maybe getting my coilovers sooner than expected.. youll be the first i let know when they are for sale

You can buy the Pillowballs separate. Just search pillowball mounts on here. Some posted the PN awhile ago.

The other option is OEM's camber plates and rear solid mounts. They use a similar rotational bearings as pillowballs and they might end up being cheaper I cant remember off hand. I keep thinking Tein wants a premium for the pillowballs.

My D-Specs are in the attic so i cant really give much of a review other than they look cool.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Friday, September 24, 2010 1:59 PM