First off, I should give a shout out to CIONIDE - the NF210 king! I had to follow in his footsteps and post up a official TEIN H-Tech spring thread. So please post your pics up here if you're rocking the Luxury Master High Tech springs!

TEIN was definitely late to the game with these springs, but I got them anyway to replace my NF210s. I did this because I wanted to be a little lower, but I wanted to maintain great ride quality. The H-techs deliver. They ride so smoothly that I don't want to replace the shocks until adjustable ones come out.

People looking for a moderate drop have to decide between the TRD, Eibach Pro Kit, Tanabe NF210, and now the TEIN H-Tech. I've actually had the Pro Kit at one point (and also the NFs - I'm a spring *****). The Pro Kit doesn't drop as low, but they have the sportiest (stiffest feel). On the other end of the spectrum you have the H-techs, which offer a drop almost as low as Eibach Sportlines, but I would imagine that they have a plusher ride. It's pretty much the best of both worlds.

Looks:
After 2 days of settling and about 60 miles, I have gained an additional 1/2" in front compared to the NF210s and an additional 1/4" in the rear. If I compare what I got compared to CIONIDE's stock measurements, then the H-Techs provide the drop as advertised in the rear, and an additional 0.4" out front. It's hard to say since I don' t have the stock measurements for my car. But I think my NFs were on the low side compared to others'. Here are my official measurements on flat ground (205/50/17 tires 35psi front/32psi rear).

From the floor to the top of the wheel arch:
Front: 25"
Rear: 26"

Ride:
From the feel of things I think the H-Techs ride both softer AND stiffer than the NFs did. How did they achieve this? Take a look at the rear springs. Notice how the H-techs have about twice as much soft travel as the NFs do. that gives a really nice compliant ride. According to the specs, the H-techs have a stiffer spring rate. This is where the improved handling comes from. Notice how much shorter the front springs are. They are more than 1/2" shorter than the NFs when unsprung, yet the achieved drop is bout 1/2" more when on the car. The H-techs are definitely stiffer out front. With the front end being the heaviest part of the car, I think it doesn't really hurt the ride quality too much. The rear end of the car is what can be a little squirrelly in my opinion, and I think the H-techs do a superior job of taming that.











Another note is that I was finally able to get the rear end level on both sides. Many people have noticed that the right side rear is 1/4" higher than the left side. My H-techs were similar too, but I did some trial and error testing to try and remedy that. I jacked the car up with both rear wheels off the ground and twisted the right spring a little bit. The TRD installation instructions most of us go by say to index both right and left springs in the same orientation to ensure an equal ride height on both sides. Well, that doesn't seem to be the case. So I put on some grippy rubber gloves and gave the right spring a twist. Be sure to make sure the rubber spring seats are still on properly and not all mangled up. Then you put the car back down and measure. This actually took a couple tries but it was worth the effort. I always hated the fact that the sides were different. Of course, YMMV.

Now some pics!















It really is too bad that TEIN dragged their feet on getting these out to market. But I guess they must have done their homework. I've always done a lot of trial and error with my hobbies (don't ask me how many guitar amps I've had in my life!). I like trying different things and making my own judgements. So I gained a lot from my trials. CIONIDE, so sorry I left the NF210 movement - lol. The two springs are pretty close, so it can come down to personal preference or price. I just had to try these springs out and I'm glad I did, even though some may think I'm

I want more aggressive wheels now. It never ends...

 

Nice write-up and pics. Sweet ride. Feel ya on the tourists...f'in crazy drivers.

 

Thanks! I tried little bit to take some halfway decent pics. It's hard to tell but my car wasn't even clean. I hate it when people look at me so I went as quickly as possible this morning - lol. I could have taken my time and got some better shots, but the parking garages were still locked up. I wanted to get the obligatory parking garage /roof shot!

I'm partying in the hood later tonight (in the city, not the 'burbs). I don't think tourists will want to go where I'm going. Haha. They can have the beach for a couple days...

 

Well, I guesse my mind is totally made up after this great write up I am def gonna go with the h-tech's now that somebody has guinea pigged these springs I originally wanted to be the first, but you totally beat me to it & I commend you sir. The springs look great, but I have 20"s & I'm afraid the front might be low enough to scrape the fender, but from what your saying, the front springs are stiffer so hopefully that won't be a problem, & if it is, sell me your nf210 front springs since i know they are higher or I'll just keep it stock, since the 20's fill the front up pretty good.

Once again, great write up, & keep up the good work.

 

I'm also wondering, when it is too low for the five axis kit, I know that the DF's, your getting scrapes, but what is the minimum drop before your scraping every speedbump/driveway? Any feedback would be appreciated(CIONIDE )

 

COST? and where did U buy them from??

 

kostonjohn - My NFs might be spoken for. The guy hasn't read my PM yet, but I'l let you know if it falls through.

A-snell - I ordered them from wesellcarparts.com. They're in the sponsor classified section of this forum. I actually paid more for them because I didn't see that they were a SL sponsor (damn it)! There are other sponsors here as well that have them for Under $250 shipped. Just browse the classifieds.

 

Justin,

I just got your pm - since you did paypal, I will just refund this back on paypal to get you the SL price.

Thanks

 

That's great news! Thanks so much!

That's some great service right there!

 

what size are your wheels and tires. The offset to please. Great write up and your xb2 looks good.

 

Thanks. All my specs are in my profile. My rims are only 17x7 with an offset of 40mm - very modest. The tires are 205/50/17. I used these instead of 225/45/17 to save a few pounds. But I'll get the 225s next (or new rims!). I also use 15mm spacers in the rear to bring the wheels out more flush. That helps the look quite a bit.

 

rockthebeef, did you have to cut your bump stops in the front?

 

Well, I don't know if I had to but after I saw how much shorter the front springs were I went ahead and cut off one section off the front bumpstops (probably about an inch). I left the rear ones alone.

 

Congrat's, very nice write-up, with any luck this will be the last set of springs you put on your xB.

 

Thanks CIONIDE. Yeah, I'm done. I just wish Tein had some out with these sooner. I did this mostly out of desire and partly out of boredom! I've been laid off since 4/22 and I've been pretty idle. Thank goodness severance package lasts well into the summer months! I actually start a new job on Wednesday. It's back to the grind for me.

Anyway, I want shocks but I'm not sold on what's available right now. Can't wait to see your rims! From what I've been seeing,you're getting close to pulling the trigger?

 

Some more simplified observations after 125 miles (comparing the springs I have owned):

Ride comfort:
NF210>H Tech>Pro Kit

Handling
Pro Kit>H Tech>NF210

Drop (lowness)
H Tech>NF210>Pro Kit

The H Techs have a bit of firmess to them that doesn't jolt the body but it provides a sense of driving confidence. Body roll is reduced over the NFs, but the ride is more compliant than the Pro Kit. This is truly a 'happy medium' spring with a pretty nice drop to boot.

 

Thanks for the info Rockthebeef....Where'd you get your springs installed?

 

I did them myself in my tiny garage with about 20" of room on either side of the car, haha.

 

You interested doing my install?

 

Dude this would have been perfect when I was between jobs! I'm actually starting a new position today so weekends are all I have. I know the next 3 weekends aren't so good. I might have time between then and July 10th, when I go to Alaska!

Would you be willing to help? Let me know when you get your springs and maybe we can work something out. No promises though bro. Time is going to be tight (newlywed here - can't think of only myself).