marcusaurelius

I installed a set of Yonaka Spec 1 coilovers on my CB7 today. I thought I would post up a quick review of them since there's a considerable amount of baseless hate for these things going around. They're a basic coilover, but I really like them. They're far from "total garbage lol" like some people say.

Specs:

MSRP: $899 USD
Paid: $599 USD

- 12kg/180mm Front springs
- 6kg/200mm Rear springs
- pre-tuned non-adjustable dampening
- mono-tube dampers
- Aluminum top mounts
- 1 year manufacturer's warranty

Visual Impression

I didn't take a picture of my set, but this is what they look like basically. the steel parts are zinc-nickel plated I'm pretty sure. They have that rainbowy-gold finish. If so, then the steel bits should stand up to corrosion pretty well. They honestly look pretty darn nice. The hardware is of good quality, the rubber dust boots are thick (hopefully they won't fall apart like the boots on my HSD coils did). On the bottom mount there's a holographic sticker that says "Authentic Yonaka", and a horribly written set of chinglish installation instructions.


credit to kuppa for the image

Install was easy, anybody who has done coilovers knows that once you've done one you've done em all.
The included adjustment wrenches were a little bit clumsier than others i've used. They didn't fit the collars too well. Not a big deal really, I just used my spare set.

Driving Impressions

I am very very impressed by the road manners of these coils. The ride is bumpy but tight, smooth but precise, with minimal body roll. You can feel the road really well without it being harsh. I have them set for a 4 inch drop I think, and there's room to go lower. Despite all of the low I'm not bottoming out, rubbing, or scraping while driving, even on rough roads. The spring rates were selected well for DDing and mild hooning, and the dampers are mildly tuned. Just stiff enough, and just soft enough. Not much I can say that's bad about these things honestly. Time will tell though how they hold up.

Another thing worth mentioning, some people have said yonaka dampers are squeeky. Mine are not. They're perfectly silent, thus far anyway.


I hope this review helped answer some questions about these things. I'll make an update in a few months to let everybody know how they hold up.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Nope. No mention of springs rates, what you swapped them in for, among other things. And pretty much all you've said is that they look good and you like them. Longevity is key. Why people buy suspension components from companies that are not in the suspension business and expect them to perform as such is beyond me. Yonaka is a knock-off company. Warranty? Spring rates? Etc?

marcusaurelius

you certainly live up to your name, amigo.

12k front, 6k rear

1 year manufacturer's warranty.

These coilovers aren't really "knock off" coilovers. They're just cheap chinese coilovers man. Probably made by hangzhou racing parts or some similar operation. Most companies that sell coilovers, specifically in the sub-$1000 range, outsource their production to private factories in china. Most cheap full-body coilovers are going to be of similar if not identical origin.

F&F type 1 - chinese
Yonaka spec 1 - chinese
tein basic - chinese
ksport kontrol pro - chinese
HSD HR- chinese
Godspeed - chinese
megan racing - chinese

you have to spend the big bucks if you want the real deal. people buy budget coilovers because they perform decently and are easy on the wallet.

I am going to edit the OP to add some detail though.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

This is pretty much one and the same. None of these are real suspension companies. Doesn't matter where they're knocked-off, they're still knock-offs. ut as long as YOU like them.

marcusaurelius

dude, they're pistons and springs. Nothing about that is rocket science. To assume that a company can't make a half decent set of coilovers just because they aren't a name brand is ridiculous

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Riiiiight. Again, as long as you like them.

jrponline

Just thought I would enlighten this post. The HSD coilovers are not made in China. The are made in Korea. We have been to their facility and overseen many upgrades and new models. There is a HUGE difference in things made in Korea and/or China,Taiwan. For instance....how many cars that pass the US standards are made in China? NONE.

As far as your concern over the "dust boot" this is because the coilovers were most likely used in the winter months. The salt that is used in the states is very corrosive. It can happen to the best brands out there. As it is, because we are aware of this problem. The newest units have been upgraded using a different material. ( Hopefully this will last much longer..lol)

HSD coilovers are by far one of the best available for the $$$. It would be hard to find another company that offers what HSD's offer for the same amount.

Keep us informed on your new purchase !! We always like to know how other brands hold up !! Cheers !

marcusaurelius

my mistake. my HSD's were not used in the winter. the dust boots fell apart after 2 months of summer driving. I was really not a big fan of my HSDs. After the dust boots disintegrated the pistons started leaking oil. Not great for two months after spending $1400 on coils. I luckily was able to get most of my money back from selling them. I don't mean to **** on them, i just expected more from an expensive product.

I do think it's valuable to share a positive experience with a product. You don't have to agree.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

As long as YOU like them. Doesn't change the fact that you bought a fanboy set of coilovers.

marcusaurelius

LOL. So here we go with the personal insults and sh*t. So, what am I a fanboy of? What am I trying to be that I am not? F*ck you, O' great grumblemarc, mighty butthurt ambassador for the haughty upwards-nosed elitist f*ggots of Honda-tech. This review was written with the intent of informing people about my experience with a product. No pretense. No expectations of reward. End of story.

F*ck yourself.

Ban me, I don't give a ****.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Hm. No one personally insulted you. But if you want to be insulted i can't help that.

How people post on a public forum and only expect "attaboys" and pats on the back is beyond me.

Your "review" is anything but. The only thing you've said was that you got a set of pretty colored cheap knock-off coilovers that rode a little better than whatever you had on them previously from a company with no proven track record.

And I said repeatedly throughout the thread that as long as YOU were happy with them nothing else mattered.

marcusaurelius

You are right, my review basically does say that they ride pretty well, handle pretty well, and don't suck a fat one, which honestly is what people want to know when they're thinking of putting their money down on a product that hasn't yet generated a solid reputation. I have done a small service, but I said, I had no expectation of "attaboys". The review is its own purpose. All of your arguments thusfar have been that these coilovers are "knock-offs" or "for fanboys". If you had an actual experience of owning or using the product we're talking about I would be giving everything you say credence, but since you don't own them and haven't used them everything you have to say against them is empty and worthless.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

And until you can quantify this totally subjective statement your "review" is pointless and self-serving.

And yes, I beat dead horses.

ShadyOne

Despite the hate....I appreciate your review. I am in the market and thinking of buying these myself. Although I do not know if the coilovers are, alot of the yonaka items are made in japan, and everything I have seen has been great quality.

B serious

iTrader: (1)

^the only Yonaka products Ive seen in real life are the exhausts. SMH. WTF. OMG. BBQ. BBW. GTG. Those are all the acronyms that came to mind. I would ask the owner "what terrible thing happened to your WS2? Did you run over an curb/elephant? "

OP claims "They're just pistons and springs. Its not rocket science".

With those expectations, how could you NOT love any coilover.

Its like reviewing a restaurant and saying "the rats weren't laying their eggs INTO my mouth. So...what's the big deal?"

You know...because rats are mammals.

This review is subjective for the most part. But I have ridden on the other coilovers you listed in the "these are made in China too" category. I have nothing but hate in my heart for those setups. So...if those are in the same boat, or are indicative of how these Yonakas are made...I will revert back to calling them straight up garbage.

Tein Basic coils aren't the greatest in terms of ride quality (their street Basis line that replaced it is 100X better). But...I believe they're still made in Japan. The difference there being overall quality and longevity.

I'm not saying everything made in China is bad. I'm not saying to close your eyes to the fact that a LOT of things in people's lives were made/assembled in China.

Let us know how these hold up through a salty winter....or a year of use. At this point, I really think you haven't taken a ride on any nice coilover. So everything just seems great. I'm sure people appreciate the review. Its just that there's not much useful info there.

B serious

iTrader: (1)

To put some of this in perspective, lets make up another claim followed up by the same type of defense:

Everyone: "The people in the next neighborhood over are all sheep fu#&ers."
You: "no...you guys don't know. There's tons of normal people there. Like:
-Shep McFucker
-Sheeper Beastialit
-Les Focksheep
-Fornicator Sheepswild
-Sheepskin Bearback"

In your defense, the comparative portion was the only non-subjective part. Its very useful. Want your car to ride like it has F&F's? Buy Yonakas for even less money. :/

Its a little short sighted to say "some people don't have the budget to buy decent coilovers". Coilovers aren't bread used to feed your family. They're a waste of money on a hobby. Why would you go out of your way to buy garbage in lieu of a perfectly good working stock suspension? And decent coilover sets are available for under $1k. Though...yes...for full body coilovers, your safest bets are in the past $1500 range. Everything has a price.

Again, I'm just adding to your point of view. I think anyone looking for a QUALITY setup should do more research.

ShinsenTuner

iTrader: (1)

I never knew TEIN Basics were made in China... interesting.

DVDr

iTrader: (2)

I had a set of Yonaka spec 1s on my EK civic for 3 years before selling the car a few years ago.

Never any issues. Work great for daily driving and some track days I have gone to.

They are great for what they are. A quality product for that price range.

I personally have had JICs ( FLT 1 s and FLT2 s ) Teins ( HA and RA ) , Stance ( pro ) , Cusco, and some other cheaper coilovers like megan, raceland and others over the years.

Yes some will provide much better valving , but also cost $ 2000 . I keep the higher end suspension for my track car.

For the street, I like a comfortable ride that is responsive ( and cheaper, the higher end shocks require more maintenance for higher mileage).

Let's be honest, 99% of the guys here buying coil overs at the sub $ 1500 range just want to be low.


I ordered another set for my newly acquired car, will be installing once they arrive and can also do a review.

B serious

iTrader: (1)

I don't believe this is true

smilindave

Ok, I'll bite.
1. REAL SHOCKS are engineered to work in extreme conditions. If your goal in life is to have functional (meaning will hold up longer than 120 days, are adjustable, filled with oil that will not aerate and fail to function on a road trip on a less than perfect road) shock absorbers, you might consider Koni, Bilstein or if money is no object, contact Ohlins to have a set made. I understand the limits of money being a large consideration in these times, PLEASE buy a product that works in the real world. I personally have purchased over 30 sets of shocks for various vehicles over a 30 year span and have made the mistake of buying a product that was less than satisfactory in the long run. I have rebuilt and worn out and rebuilt again several cars and trucks. Use my experience, save your money and purchase wisely.
Regards
Dave
Yes I am old and Grumpy

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

I am too.

travanx

I went through a lot of so-so coilovers on my RSX before all these color coilover setups came out. One of the best was Mugen. I had Apex before they switched over to China. They were okay. But the best was a one off Bilstein setup that someone got from a car in Japan. Once I got rid of that car I headed straight to KW V3's for the 993.

After that experience I knew never to buy cheap coilovers again. Which I why I just have springs designed for stock shocks on my AP2.

I can take a wild guess that the cheap coilovers make the car function worse. They may make the car look better, but driving on the street is probably awful. The better companies have engineers designing the parts instead of a pick your parts Chinese website. You wouldn't know until you ride in a car with properly designed coilovers.

ShinsenTuner

iTrader: (1)

I think so as well. Since I had a set on my old Integra and have Tein SS on my current... they are both produced in Japan...

The Yonakas on my daily are def chinese made tho.. but they were cheap, available, and ride pretty good so far.

Runnerdown

Wow lots of wrong info here. Tein parts are made in Taiwan and assembled in Japan as are many others. A handful of companies overseas have been making the pick your color coil overs for many years so they have sorted out a few bugs. Most sets are 4-700 and are just mediocre street suspension. Real racing shocks is a whole different animal and does not fit into this category at all. The honda market for years now has largely become cheap, disposable, knockoff junk parts. Good luck and enjoy.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

So have the cars.