Since 1985, TEIN (pronounced TAIN) has been developing high-performance suspension products for racing and regular driving. Thus, making advanced technology used in winning the World Rally Championship and the Super N1 Endurance Race available for the street. This results in durable suspension products that not only provide a lower ride height, but more suspension flexibility, crisper handling and the ability to turn corners more freely as well.

Currently, TEIN has literally hundreds of applications for import and domestic vehicles. One of their most popular products is the Driving Master Super Street Damper kit for the LX platform (Chrysler 300 SRT-8, Dodge Charger SRT-8 and Charger V8). The kit includes four “click type” adjustable (rebuildable) coil-over shocks with 16 levels of damping, four progressive springs, two hook spanners (wrenches) for adjusting ride height and a detailed instruction manual. The Charger V8 kit allows the vehicle to be dropped up to 1.2 inches in the front and 1.4 inches in the rear.

With the help of TEIN’s sales and marketing manager Philip Chase, we were on hand to follow Erich “Big E” Giardina and Tony Fuchs of Darkside Motoring, as they installed a kit on a stock 2008 Charger. To make “on the fly” damping adjustment possible, Big E and Tony also installed TEIN’s Electronic Damping Force Controller (EDFC) kit. The entire process was very straightforward, requiring normal hand tools and two spring compressors (available at most equipment rental locations). You will also need a good floor jack and jack stands. Darkside used a lift, which made the work much simpler. Follow the photos, and you’ll see how simple it is to get the drop on a Charger.

Note: TEIN recommends the installation be done only by licensed mechanics. However, if you have the proper tools and experience you can do the work yourself. Big E also recommended driving the car for 200 miles, so the new springs “seat” before having the front end checked and re-aligned if necessary. Also, periodically re-tighten all parts to specified torque settings.

Before

(After) The Charger at stock ride height leaves too much wheel well showing. It looks much better after the TEIN coil-over lowering kit was installed.