Acura TL UA5.
The coilover guide.
Shop the coiloversA V6 saloon with room for the family still needs room for its suspension to move. Plan the stance around your wheels and everyday loads, then check the UA5 application and the parts already fitted.
The four-door V6 before the sharper-edged TL.
TEIN FLEX Z VSH94-CUSA3 is the current listed kit for the US-market TL UA5, 3.2-litre and front-wheel drive, with a manufacturer application range of 1999 to 2003. Keep the build details with the enquiry, especially on an imported or previously lowered car.
The 2002 update brought the Type S alongside the ordinary TL. Its factory suspension tuning differed, so include the trim when checking the kit. Sharing a part number with another Acura or Honda does not replace that model-specific check.
The second-generation TL went on sale in the US on 3 September 1998 for the 1999 model year. Developed in the US and built in Marysville, Ohio, it paired a 3.2-litre V6 with a four-door body. The original US brochure lists 225hp and a four-speed automatic.
For 2002, Acura revised the nose, lights and grille and added the 260hp Type S. The ordinary car retained 225hp; both 2002 versions used a five-speed automatic. The Type S also had its own spring and damper tuning and a larger rear anti-roll bar.
A modest drop and period-style wheels work well with the long glasshouse and conventional boot. Decide how the car will carry passengers and luggage before choosing the final arch gap. On a saloon this old, worn joints and previous suspension work deserve attention before the alignment is set.
Start with your TL UA5.
Confirm the chassis, year and existing suspension before choosing your setup.
1999 to 2001 TL: identify the UA5
Start with the US-market 3.2-litre, front-wheel-drive UA5 identity in TEIN's application. A 1999-model car may have been built or sold during 1998. Record its build details and current suspension before comparing heights.
See the early UA5 application
2002 to 2003 TL: check the trim too
The updated TL remains within the listed UA5 date range. Confirm whether it is the ordinary car or Type S and describe any earlier lowering. Exterior update parts alone cannot establish which suspension is underneath it.
See the updated UA5 application
Type S: include the original sport specification
The 2002 Type S had different factory springs, damper tuning and rear anti-roll bar. TEIN's UK row leaves the grade blank. Send the actual trim and fitted parts so those details can be resolved before ordering.
Check my TL Type S
Imports and changed cars: work from what is fitted
Include chassis details, wheel dimensions and any changed arms, mounts or drivetrain parts. A Japanese-market Inspire or Saber, another TL generation, or a shared Accord listing needs its own confirmed application.
Check my imported or modified TLWhat do you want
from the car?
Road miles, circuit weekends or a car built around the lap. Start with how you drive.
Allow for the passengers you carry.
Read the buying advice
FLEX Z VSH94-CUSA3 is the listed road example, subject to the exact UA5 check. Height adjustment and 16-level linked compression and rebound adjustment let the fitter work towards the agreed setup. Keep enough clearance for loaded journeys, speed humps and the tyres on the car.
- US-market UA5 application
- Rubber upper mounts at both ends
- Choose height with normal loads in mind
Bring your tyre choice into the conversation.
Read the buying advice
Tell us which tyres you use and how often you drive on circuit. Have the suspension condition and available travel checked before agreeing the height and damping. Keep a record of changes so the next outing starts from a known setup.
- Describe road and circuit use
- Check travel and tyre clearance
- Record settings between outings
Agree the specification around the complete car.
Read the buying advice
Give the builder the event requirements, tyres, intended height and details of changed arms or mounts. Spring choice and damper requirements need to suit that combination. The current road listing alone does not establish a dedicated competition package or event approval.
- Set out the event requirements
- Agree springs and damping with the builder
- Plan travel checks and alignment
A rear spring around the damper.
The rear spring surrounds the damper on a standard Acura TL UA5.
Component layout only. Mounts, dimensions and adjusters vary by kit.Acura describes this generation's independent rear suspension as a multi-link double-wishbone arrangement. Its original 1999 brochure shows the coil spring surrounding the damper, with the suspension links locating the wheel.
Check the supplied mounting parts and follow the kit's height and preload instructions. Have the fitter inspect the retained joints and mounts and confirm working travel before settling on the finished height.
Understand height and spring preload
Leave space for a loaded saloon to move.
Write down wheel width, offset, tyre size and any spacers. Ask the fitter to check clearance through steering and suspension movement, including the loads you normally carry. A parked photograph cannot show how close a tyre gets to the arch on a loaded journey.
Inspect bushes, ball joints and mounting parts before fitting and alignment. Record any earlier lowering too: the gap you see now may already reflect changed springs. Agree the new running height from that actual starting point.
Trim and existing suspension
Record ordinary TL or Type S and identify the springs and dampers currently fitted. Earlier lowering changes the baseline for a height discussion.
Wheel dimensions and spacers
Include wheel width, offset and tyre size, plus spacers or brake changes. Have clearance checked through movement at the intended height.
Joints and mounting parts
Check the condition of the suspension before setting alignment. Confirm which mounting parts come with the kit and which existing parts the fitter will retain.
Damping and optional control
FLEX Z links compression and rebound adjustment. EDFC is a separate option; check the required hardware and actual motor clearance before including it in the plan.
The current TL UA5 range.
See the controls and hardware in the listed kit.
The current reference is FLEX Z VSH94-CUSA3. TEIN's UK TL UA5 row lists nominal 12kgf/mm front and 4kgf/mm rear springs and rubber upper mounts at both ends. Use the TL's own height figures and confirm the supplied specification for the car.
View TEIN TL UA5 kitsFind your TL UA5 coilovers.
Prices include UK VAT. Choose an application and brand, then open a kit for its current options and availability.
1 listing
Match the engine, body style and axle-load limits on the product page before ordering.
TEIN · VSH94-CUSA3
TEIN FLEX Z Coilovers for Honda Accord CG1, CG2, CG3, CG5, CG6 / Acura Cl YA4 / Acura Tl UA5 (US-market imports) - VSH94-CUSA3
1999 to 2001 TL: identify the UA5 / 2002 to 2003 TL: check the trim too
All TL UA5 kit links and part numbers
Before you order.
Identify your car
Identify the US-market TL UA5 and its build details; distinguish model year from the date of registration.
Match the kit
Match VSH94-CUSA3 to the actual car and resolve Type S, market or conversion details before ordering.
Check what’s included
Record existing springs, dampers and mounts, then confirm the supplied mounting parts and adjustment instructions.
Check your modifications
Check wheel, tyre and spacer dimensions and allow clearance through movement with the loads you normally carry.
Plan fitting
Agree the running height, fitting checks and alignment; discuss circuit use or optional EDFC hardware separately.
See what the adjustments do.
Choosing coilovers for road and track
Compare the kit against your roads, tyres and setup plans before counting adjusters.
Ride height and spring preload
Understand the two adjustments before choosing a lowering range.
What spring rate tells you
Compare force and movement, read the units and choose a spring with the damper in mind.
Spring rates and top mounts
Read the front/rear figures and check which mounts come with your kit.
Questions about Acura TL UA5 coilovers.
Check the details before choosing your kit.
Which coilovers are listed for the Acura TL UA5?
TEIN FLEX Z VSH94-CUSA3 is currently listed. TEIN's UK row names the US-market TL UA5, 3200cc and front-wheel drive, for 1999 to 2003. Confirm the build details, trim and existing modifications before ordering.
Does a 1998 registration mean this is the earlier TL?
The second-generation TL went on sale in the US on 3 September 1998 as a 1999 model. Check the chassis and build identity alongside the registration date. TEIN's verified UA5 application is listed for 1999 to 2003.
What needs checking on a TL Type S?
The 2002 Type S had different factory spring and damper tuning and a larger rear anti-roll bar. TEIN's UK row does not name a grade. Include the trim and current suspension details so the exact application can be checked.
Does the TL UA5 have a separate rear spring seat?
Acura's original 1999 TL brochure shows the rear coil spring surrounding the damper in its independent multi-link double-wishbone suspension. Follow the supplied kit instructions for mounting and adjustment.
How much lowering does TEIN recommend for this TL?
TEIN's UK TL UA5 specification gives a recommended reduction of 50 to 70mm at the front and 35 to 55mm at the rear relative to its original baseline. Establish the present height if the car is already lowered. Agree the finished height using the supplied instructions, working travel and actual clearance.
Can FLEX Z adjust compression and rebound independently?
The listed FLEX Z kit has 16-level linked compression and rebound adjustment. Both change together. Follow the kit instructions and keep a record of adjustments so you can return to a known setting.
Is EDFC included with the TL kit?
EDFC is a separate option. Confirm the required control hardware and the space available for its motors on your actual car. A compatibility entry alone cannot establish installation clearance around modified parts.
Let’s talk suspension.
Find your TL, then include the UA5 build details, trim and suspension already fitted. Add the wheel and tyre sizes, spacers and normal use so the application and finished height can be checked together.