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Support Center » News » New UCC Damper Kit from Fastline Performance for TSX/TL/Accord	03 Sep 2010

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	New UCC Damper Kit from Fastline Performance for TSX/TL/Accord
Posted By: Marcus di Sabella On: 24 Aug 2009 10:23 AM

Details We see a hole in the market and we can fill the need!

We have named this kit the UCC Damper Kit, taking its name from the first letter of the three chassis on which this kit will work (UA6, CL9, and CM).

When considering the 1st gen TSX and 3rd gen TL communities are filled with people on lowered or performance suspension parts, it is hard to think that there would be a hole in the suspension market for these cars. But given our extensive experience supplying these communities Heeltoe Automotive has noticed the perfect setup really does not exist. We have compiled enough data make our own kit design that we believe will capitalize on the needs of the market.

From the 3G TL (UA6 & UA7) perspective:
There are limited suspension options for this car. Most of our customers choose the Tein SS because of its high quality and dampening adjustment. We find that the springs and dampening this suspension affords customers to enhance performance by firming the shocks, or give a stock like ride when the shocks are adjusted softer. One thing we notice time and time again is people trying to raise or lower their car beyond the limit of the Tein SS range. Even adjusting to the end of the maximum or minimum range limits suspension travel, making the ride and handling bad over bumps. Alternatives such as Megan dampers will allow greater lowering range, but the build quality and ability to rebuild these kits deter many of our customers. Likewise we have had a few customers looking for uprated performance over the A-Spec suspension without any additional lowering. So we decided to take the standard TL SS kit and enhance it with the addition of full-length adjustment. This kit is designed to provide additional ride height adjustment while keeping an ideal shock stroke. A minimum height drop of .75" and a maximum drop of 4" provides and unprecedented adjustment range. The OEM upper mounts are used, and can be enhanced with optional Type-S bushings for a more linear and direct chassis feeling providing better car control. The EDFC kit is completely compatible with this kit as well when used with the Fastline Performance Solid Tower Brace. The spring rates on the UCC damper kit will be the same as for the Basic and SS for the TL, 12kg front and 6 kg rear. We find this balance is quite favorable to a good ride and handling balance on the TL. The damper valving will be set slightly higher for enhanced body control at softer settings, necessary for cars that are set very low. The end goal on this chassis is maximum height adjustment range without compromise in comfort or quality at a reasonable cost.

From the 1G TSX / JDM & European Accord (CL7 & CL9) Perspective:
There are a wide variety of suspension kits available for the TSX, but none seem to hit a certain demographic of the market. This is the section that wants aggressive lowering and enhanced performance without a high cost. The Tein SS is a popular kit for this car although it is unable to lower aggressively enough for some customers. The Buddy Club N+ is certainly an excellent alternative providing the lowering range and range of dampening adjustment many people want, however this kit is hampered by its inability to be rebuilt and is too softly sprung to be a higher performance system. The Tein FLEX is firmly sprung enough for track use, has full length adjustment for maximum lowering, but we find that majority of our customers don't go to the track and find this kit is too costly at $1700+ MSRP. Likewise we have had a few customers looking for uprated performance over the A-Spec suspension without any additional lowering. So we have essentially taken a SS kit and FLEX kit and kept the good stuff, trimmed the fat, and made what we believe to be the best compromise. We have uprated spring rates and eliminated the pillow mounts. For the street, TL Type-S bushings in the top mount provide a direct linear feel without the cost of upper pillow mounts. We have also concurrently developed an adapter kit for installing the EDFC on TSX suspensions. The spring rates on this kit will be 12kg front and 6 kg rear, which both are softer than the existing FLEX kit for the TSX and the front is slightly firmer than the SS for the TSX. The damper valving will be set one tick firmer than what it would normally be with these rates to provide better body control at softer settings and allow the option for spring firmness increases without the need to revalve. The full length adjustment will also allow spring preloading for a wider range of tuning options not seen on the SS. A minimum height drop of .75" and a maximum drop of 4" provides and unprecedented adjustment range. Overall the goal is enhanced performance with minimal compromise in ride height needs and sporty street ride at a reasonable cost! If ever there was a possibility of attaining M3 levels of street performance this kit would achieve it.

From the 03-07 USA Accord (CM) Perspective:
Because the Accord suspension is so similar to the TSX and TL, if you have a 4 cylinder Accord you'd fall into the "1G TSX" notes above, although the suspension would offer slightly less performance and more comfort because of your car's lighter weight. If you have a V6 Accord you'd fall into the "3G TL" notes above.

Tech Data:
Spring Rates: 12kg front, 6 kg rear
Damper Type: Twin tube
Rebuildable: Yes
Customizable damper valving: Yes
Full Length Adjustment: Yes
Upper mount: OEM with optional Type-S Bushings
Min Lowering: .75in/.75in
Max Lowering: 4in/3in
Cost $1349, + forum discounts if any, includes continental USA shipping.

The following is a picture of what this kit will look similar to.

The kit will have full-length adjustment with anti-corrosion Teflon coat on the threads, high quality springs, applicable spring seat adapters, adjustable dampening, and appropriate tools and instructions. This kit is produced by Tein for exclusive sale through Heeltoe Automotive under the Fastline Performance brand. We do not have any actual images of the UCC kit yet as it is still in the deign stages, however our comments above are realistically indicative of the end result.

The price of this kit is $1349 which includes shipping within the continental USA.
The TSX EDFC adapter kit will be priced at approximately $199 and will be available at a later date. Perorders are available now on heeltoeauto.com, although payment is not required at this time preordering. We have initial run requirements which severely limit the amount of discount we can extend however normal Acurazine and TSXClub discount codes will apply as well as any special promotional codes that exist. Because we do need preorders on this kit to complete our production run, we do not expect to ship this kit before winter. This is an early announcement and we do not anticipate shipping kits until spring 2010. The first 10 PREORDERS get a $100 rebate. The next 10 orders will get a $50 rebate. Rebates will be deducted from the final payment price when the dampers payments are collected.

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