s-tech review

[Notchy]

So I installed Tein s-tech's from an 08 vibe on my 09 base about 15000 miles ago.I just drove from wisconsin to florida which is 1440 miles and have to say I think the ride quality is better than stock. Other than having to be carefull not to ground out on speed bumps and going in and out of driveways and such its great. Everything is fully settled and the drop is about 2-3/4" in the rear and almost 3" in the front.Next step is strut braces and coil-overs.I am getting the windows tinted while i am down here and will post pics when it is done and cleaned.

[06pvibe]

Pics?? Before and after would be nice.

[star_deceiver]

Can't wait to see!

[Notchy]

Before SpringsAfter SpringsWill post pics with tint when i get it back. Think I am getting it done tomorrow.

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by Notchy »After SpringsIt looks incomplete... like somethings missing... can't quite put my finger on it... Perhaps 18's or 20's on thereBut how does it handle??? Does it feel like the cars magneticlly attached to the road?

[Notchy]

Its actually a little lower now. That was just after we put the springs in. Ride quality is about the same, everyone who rides in it comments that they are surprised its so smooth. Corners much better but still understeers to much. I am hoping strut tower braces take care of that. It not coilovers and sway bars will.I am looking for rims. Just cant make up my mind.

[Notchy]

HIDS should be on my doorstep by the time i get back from Florida too. Cant decide if I want the more yellow 3-4k or the white 5-6k bulbs.

[vibenvy]

Glad to hear the springs are working out well for you Michael! What % tint are you getting? Can't wait to see updated pictures with the tint!On a bit of a side note, where are you staying in Florida?

[Notchy]

nothing crazy dark. 30 to 35%I am staying with my sister in Cape Coral. By Ft. Myers. SW Florida

[DressedInBlack]

Quote, originally posted by Notchy »nothing crazy dark. 30 to 35%I am staying with my sister in Cape Coral. By Ft. Myers. SW Floridaif you make it to downtown Fort Myers, check out a restaurant/bar called Red Rock. If you like burgers, you are in luck my friend!! Live music and cold beer doesn't hurt either...unless you are younger than 21.

[lovemyraffe]

You are the Stig? Really? Hmm...

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by Notchy »nothing crazy dark. 30 to 35%I am staying with my sister in Cape Coral. By Ft. Myers. SW FloridaGood choice ! I've got 35% all around and couldn't be happier with it. It's dark enough to look good and serve its purpose well, but not too dark that the cops will bother you about it.I would love to take my Vibe on a road trip to Florida. We used to go to Cocoa Beach all the time when I was younger. Haven't been down there since 2005 though .

[Notchy]

Dressedinblack I will go check thayt place out. Thanks (oh and I am almost 35)Lovemyraffe yes i am the stig.......thats why I am driving a Vibe.....not a enzo or 599......those are boring.J to Envy we used to bring my daughters down every year but havent since my divorce. So i figured it was about time.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by Notchy »J to Envy we used to bring my daughters down every year but havent since my divorce. So i figured it was about time.Yep... I am officially jealous ! Hope you guys are having fun and enjoying the weather !

[AKLGT]

we had S-techs on our base Vibe. they were fine for the car, definitely helped in handling, however to really help with the understeer, pick up a rear sway bar. takes about 5 mins to install.

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »... however to really help with the understeer, pick up a rear sway bar. takes about 5 mins to install.Honestly, I have wondered about that. I mean I know what a heavy rear sway bar can do in a FWD car, or RWD too for that matter, but this twist beam axle and straight sway bar (no ears, as is normal for most)... I have wondered what it takes to replace. I was guessing it pretty easy to remove to OE bar, but more difficult to line up the bolts holes in a new one? Is that your experience with these on the Vibe/Corolla, etc...?Should the suspension be loaded or unloaded, or does it really make a difference?

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Notchy »Before Springshttp://www.gminsidenews.com/fo...1.jpgAfter Springshttp://i289.photobucket.com/al...2.jpgI kind of agree w/star-deceiver, in that it looks too high w/the OE springs and not high enough w/the s-techs? Weird. But frankly, I don't think larger wheels would be the solution to that problem....

[Notchy]

I am looking for rims. Just cant make up my mind.HIDs are ordered. I got 5k for low beams and 3k for high beams, plus 3k bulbs just in case i dont like the 5k's

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe »Honestly, I have wondered about that. I mean I know what a heavy rear sway bar can do in a FWD car, or RWD too for that matter, but this twist beam axle and straight sway bar (no ears, as is normal for most)... I have wondered what it takes to replace. I was guessing it pretty easy to remove to OE bar, but more difficult to line up the bolts holes in a new one? Is that your experience with these on the Vibe/Corolla, etc...?Should the suspension be loaded or unloaded, or does it really make a difference? we had the Hotchkis RSB. it's not really an issue for lining up bolts or anything. literally, it was about 5 - 10 mins to install. Though some may disagree, we also had the TRD Front tower brace and that seemed to also help with the cornering. the car handled pretty well with that combo.Even on my new car, I have a 22 mm RSB on stock soft suspension. perhaps next year I will look into some springs, however I don't want to drop it just tighten suspension without the harshness of coilovers. I'm getting older and like to keep my spine in tact. LOL

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Notchy »I am looking for rims. Just cant make up my mind.HIDs are ordered. I got 5k for low beams and 3k for high beams, plus 3k bulbs just in case i dont like the 5k'sIt took me over 3 yrs of hard shopping to decide what I wanted for my Mz3 HB, but when I did, I knew they were the right choice for me and have been happy w/them ever since. No need to rush it imo. The OE's look fine.Do you have projectors in your '09? If not, I would advise against HID conversions.3k high beams? They are liable to be awfully yellow and would work better as fog lamps than high beams.The 5k's will be all right, I'm sure. I am running 6k's in my low beams (Mazda) but they are 55 watt kits too, which wash out the color a bit. They match well w/the 35 watt 5k kit in my fogs.

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »we had the Hotchkis RSB. it's not really an issue for lining up bolts or anything. literally, it was about 5 - 10 mins to install. Though some may disagree, we also had the TRD Front tower brace and that seemed to also help with the cornering. the car handled pretty well with that combo.Even on my new car, I have a 22 mm RSB on stock soft suspension. perhaps next year I will look into some springs, however I don't want to drop it just tighten suspension without the harshness of coilovers. I'm getting older and like to keep my spine in tact. LOL I hear ya' there. I have H&R's (Sport Springs) in my Mazda and at my age, that's enough of a harsh ride for my ole' bones too. No coilovers here. The ride was never anything to write home about to begin with.I originally put a 22mm adjustable Progress in my own car (over the non-adjustable 20mm OE RSB) and didn't feel it did much of anything (I have a front strut tower brace as well.) I recently stepped up to the 27mm Racing Beat RSB and am happy as a clam w/the OE bar up front on HD links.

[Notchy]

I ordered the 3k because of the yellow. I rarely use my high beams anyways, the yellow will cut through bad weather better.They are projector but will be slightly tinted yellow too so that will dull them a bit. If i dont like them i will go back to stock. They were only $35 a set.

[Notchy]

tint is done. 28% on fronts, 20% on rear.didnt realize my camera lens was so fogged.Stupid Florida weather.Will get better ones when i have time to clean it properly

[vibenvy]

I have to say, I'm not a fan of the look of the different %s. I prefer one % all around, but it looks good nonetheless !

[Notchy]

they werent supposed to do it that way. I asked for 30% all the way around.

[vibenvy]

I'd take it back, b**** them out and make them re-do it the way you wanted for free .

[ou.grizzly]

Quote, originally posted by Notchy »they werent supposed to do it that way. I asked for 30% all the way around.Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »I'd take it back, b**** them out and make them re-do it the way you wanted for free .While I do agree with Envy that if that is not what you wanted, expected, nor paid for, take the vehicle back and have them correct the issue. Do it in a professional manner though. Moaning and pitching the (itch) right off the bat will not get you anywhere; it actually turns people off more times than none.

[Notchy]

unfortunately I dont have time. I leave for home tomorrow am.Honestly I can live with it.

[ou.grizzly]

Quote, originally posted by Notchy »unfortunately I dont have time. I leave for home tomorrow am.Honestly I can live with it.I can understand that one, I have a schedule like that from time to time (de temps en temps). You can always give them a phone call and let them know, I am sure the next opportunity you have a window of time or in their location, they should be more than willing to work with you.

[Xzile]

what springs are on your car

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Xzile »what springs are on your carV V V Quote, originally posted by Notchy » I installed Tein s-tech's from an 08 vibe on my 09 base about 15000 miles ago.Quote, originally posted by Notchy »... Corners much better but still understeers too much. I am hoping strut tower braces take care of that. It not coilovers and sway bars will.A heavy REAR sway bar should do the trick there. Strut tower brace... eh? Probably do nothing for understeer.