I have a question about TEMS? I have searched the forums and can't find much. Is there an advantage of having TEMS vs. not having it. Also, can you buy replacement springs for your TEMS or can you not change the shocks?
TEMS, is it worth it?
- Thread starter engineer4speed
- Start date
I don't know about the advantages or disadvatanges but I would assume TEMS is better than just regular shocks. You can buy replacement struts and springs as far as I know. Struts from Toyota run about 229 a piece. You can get Tokico's that let you still use TEMS that are around 110 a piece. I'm pretty sure a little searching for replacement struts on google would have yielded those results.
I like TEMS for the 'cool' factor. Just wish the first setting was softer, and the third setting much stiffer.
4U2QUIK
1UZFE SWAP DUDE!!!
yep, they're just shocks, and personally, the difference to me isn't a whole lot (hard/soft). But you have to admit, it does have the "cool" factor going for it.
engineer4speed;1165555 said:
So do you not know anything about it at all or what? (serious question)
Toyota Electronically Modulated Suspension
Its an electronically controlled system that changes the stiffness of the shocks. Pretty much a "performance" setting or "cruise" setting. Sure its better if you are comparing a stock non-TEMS suspension setup to a TEMS setup. Its going to be stiff when you want it to and soft when you want it to.
BUT TEMS doesnt even compare to the performance you'll get with a nice spring and shock setup or better yet coilovers.
This doesn't make sense but I'm going to try to answer it. You can buy stock replacement springs but you shouldn't get lowering springs if you are using the stock TEMS shocks. Yes, you can get aftermarket shocks that are compatible with TEMS.engineer4speed;1165555 said:
i didnt like it in the 89 i drove in prior to getting my 87... glad the previous owner just took the system out even though he left the interior button set
4U2QUIK
1UZFE SWAP DUDE!!!
oh yeah, and if you have a full poly kit it's more like hard and hard as a rock. It'll leave you asking whether that was the curb you just hit or just the center marker.
TurboFreak;1165605 said:
I know that TEMS is an electronically controlled suspension that changes the setting of the shocks. I was just curious if TEMS was noticeably nicer on a stock supra than if the supra didn't have it and you answered that, so thanks.
Also, thanks for answering if i could buy aftermarket shocks that work with TEMS. Do you know if i was going to go for a performance aftermarket shock and spring setup if i could leave the TEMS electronics in the car and just not use it because of the non-compatible aftermarket set-up? Thanks.
engineer4speed;1165622 said:
Yep you definitely can do that. The controllers are held in by just a couple bolts on top of each of the strut towers. You can leave everything else in and it wont hurt anything or have any effect on performance.
i just put in the Tokico Illumina II's that are tems compatible in my 88' with the stock spings. its nice to have it ride soft enough to where its comfortable for daily drivin and have it stiffin up for more agressive driving. sport mode is stiff like the 350z's suspension set. The third stiffness level ins't manually activated. Certain things like snappin the throttle at a start and breaking over sumthin like 30 mph will set it 2 the third level, its pretty stiff for the springs bein stock. if your lookin for a more adjustable range i know that tein has an aftermarket controller they call it EDFC. they also got a coilover setup that are EDFC compatible. i don't know how good it is but check it outengineer4speed;1165555 said:
http://www.tein.com/price/toyota.html
For me... TEMS is TOTALLY worth it! Please note that I replaced my old (worn the F out) shocks with Illumina IIs and a set of new Eibach Pro springs.
I love driving around town in soft mode.
But when I hit the open highway and I'm on the way to Vegas you can't beat flipping the "Firm" button for the southern Oregon mountain twisties. They have awesome pavement down there!
I do remember before I changed out the shocks that I couldn't tell the difference between soft and medium (or firm). Note that when I took out the shock I could push the shaft into the shock and it did NOT come back out. The shock was totally blown.
You also need to understand how the TEMS system works. Medium and firm lessen body roll or nose dive more than anything else.
I've ridden in cars with coilovers. I don't care to road race my Supra every day. I want a little more comfort when I drive. No coilovers for me.
I love driving around town in soft mode.
But when I hit the open highway and I'm on the way to Vegas you can't beat flipping the "Firm" button for the southern Oregon mountain twisties. They have awesome pavement down there!
I do remember before I changed out the shocks that I couldn't tell the difference between soft and medium (or firm). Note that when I took out the shock I could push the shaft into the shock and it did NOT come back out. The shock was totally blown.
You also need to understand how the TEMS system works. Medium and firm lessen body roll or nose dive more than anything else.
I've ridden in cars with coilovers. I don't care to road race my Supra every day. I want a little more comfort when I drive. No coilovers for me.
I personally believe that most complaints about TEMS are from owners who have worn out shocks. The one on my last Supra was OK, but got worse over time. After a while I couldn't tell the difference in ride quality between the settings. The Sport setting was just right and the Normal setting couldn't control the spring rebound. Both setting rode the same. The only time that Normal was stiff enough was when it was extremely cold outside and the fluid in the shocks had the viscosity of tar. I replaced them with Eibachs and Tokico Ilumina IIs and regretted that decision every time I drove my car. The Eibachs dropped the front almost twice as much as advertised. The Tokicos were too soft to control the springs on Normal, were stiff and bouncy on Sport, and were just retarded stiff on the Firm setting.
When I purchased the Supra I have now, the TEMS was horrible. The shocks and springs were worn out. They needed to be replaced long ago, so I picked up some 91-92 shocks from Toyota, some used 92 springs from here, some used actuators from a 90 body I bought. Other than the ST anti-sway bars the suspension I'm using is completely based on the stock TEMS and I am very happy with the results so far.
When I purchased the Supra I have now, the TEMS was horrible. The shocks and springs were worn out. They needed to be replaced long ago, so I picked up some 91-92 shocks from Toyota, some used 92 springs from here, some used actuators from a 90 body I bought. Other than the ST anti-sway bars the suspension I'm using is completely based on the stock TEMS and I am very happy with the results so far.
I'm running B&G springs with Tokico Illumina IIs and it's a good ride on the street. I still need some sway bars and a couple bushings, but other than that I'm very pleased with the TEMS system.
If I were going to drift/road race/autocross... then I'd go with coilovers, but for the street Tokico/B&G is a step up from stock without losing too much comfort. I agree with the comment about 'was that a curb or a lane marker' and I'm sure it will only get worse once I get rid of the snowflakes for some 18's with 35 series rubber.
If I were going to drift/road race/autocross... then I'd go with coilovers, but for the street Tokico/B&G is a step up from stock without losing too much comfort. I agree with the comment about 'was that a curb or a lane marker' and I'm sure it will only get worse once I get rid of the snowflakes for some 18's with 35 series rubber.
sk6471;1166212 said:
so you wouldnt recomend the illuminas and eibachs with tems? i was looking for a shell with tems so i could do this and have ajustability but if most people suggest its not good, i wouldnt bother. i live in new york btw and we have the worst roads
I too have new shocks with tems and love it. My car is at stock ride height and I upgraded to HKS TEMS for full control.
For drag racing I notice a big big difference on soft when I launch with drag radials! People wonder I can hit low 1.7 sixty foots on 17" Nittos. This is a big reason why.
For drag racing I notice a big big difference on soft when I launch with drag radials! People wonder I can hit low 1.7 sixty foots on 17" Nittos. This is a big reason why.