Yonaka Coilovers

[XCRN]

From this site, no one has really touched them or at least talked about them, and other sites for other cars say they are great, but they give the impression they like the shiny colors. For $500 they seem ok, the only impression I got from them is they are stiff which I am fine with, I have driven worse. Now what I want to know is the reliability at around 1.5" drop and some spirited driving and occasional non-competitive auto-x races. My budget will be around this and I am familiar with other options slightly above that are still strong considerations like F&F and Koni/Neuspeed, I want to here thoughts primarily on reliability, not looking for suggestion to go with F&F or Konis as there is enough information for those out there and I just want some info on the Yokamas.

[Jking72]

You mean Yonaka?

There was a discussion on Facebook about these and they got bashed as garbage.

I can't say because I've never used the coilovers, I do however have the exhaust system and it fits well and looks good, for the $250 with free shipping to Canada at that it was worth it.

You check out their website and they say the have been in the honda/acura game for 10yrs so don't know.

Heaven forbid some other company starts supporting the chassis.


I would say try them, but honestly it's your call.

[Quashish]

I put some "yonaka" coilovers on my friends is300, idk if that's what you mean they ride good on that. been on like 4 months no issues so far

[XCRN]

Woops, Yonaka, but any bad things other than rough ride.

[deevergote]

I'm probably at the heart of the Facebook bashing of them.

From what I can tell, Yonaka is a big "ebay" brand... and I've seen them selling their coilovers for $400 shipped (Canadian!)
There comes a point where quality simply cannot exist for a certain price. Our cars are old. The CD is old. Neither chassis is terribly popular with serious tuners. The demand isn't there to justify producing a quality part for a low price, expecting to make a profit in volume.

Yonaka puts their name on a wide variety of parts. Cheap parts. Nothing about the brand leads me to believe that they have done any worthwhile R&D on their parts. For an exhaust or an intake, fine. But for suspension components? Hell no. I wouldn't trust something like that. My life rides on my suspension, and there's absolutely nothing about that company that inspires me to trust my life to them.

[XCRN]

Some good information from all, I think I have made a decision on what I want. Thanks.

[AccordWarrior]

I'm probably at the heart of the Facebook bashing of them.

From what I can tell, Yonaka is a big "ebay" brand... and I've seen them selling their coilovers for $400 shipped (Canadian!)
There comes a point where quality simply cannot exist for a certain price. Our cars are old. The CD is old. Neither chassis is terribly popular with serious tuners. The demand isn't there to justify producing a quality part for a low price, expecting to make a profit in volume.

Yonaka puts their name on a wide variety of parts. Cheap parts. Nothing about the brand leads me to believe that they have done any worthwhile R&D on their parts. For an exhaust or an intake, fine. But for suspension components? Hell no. I wouldn't trust something like that. My life rides on my suspension, and there's absolutely nothing about that company that inspires me to trust my life to them.

So much this.

Neuspeed/H&R/Eibach/GC matched with Koni and call it a day. Realistically you aren't going to adjust height once you set the initial spot, and if you drive the car through salt most of the lower end coilovers will just freeze up anyways.

[deevergote]

Even the higher end coilovers will freeze up, I've heard.
IMO, adjustable suspensions aren't really all that useful in the hands of people that don't have the need, knowledge, or tools to properly adjust them. People that do have the need, knowledge, and tools likely won't be running $400 coilovers... since those people are probably setting up a serious race car.

[XCRN]

True maube the height adjustability is a waste, but I do not know where I want it at. Half the fender to tire gap and my suspension is sagging I believe so there is why I might want if. I still have a month maybe less, birthday is today! until I start purchases when I do rear disc.

[AccordWarrior]

Even the higher end coilovers will freeze up, I've heard.
IMO, adjustable suspensions aren't really all that useful in the hands of people that don't have the need, knowledge, or tools to properly adjust them. People that do have the need, knowledge, and tools likely won't be running $400 coilovers... since those people are probably setting up a serious race car.

If they're stainless, they should be okay, but I don't think any of those systems are stainless...I think the Tein SS is the lowest end unit that offers stainless construction.

True maube the height adjustability is a waste, but I do not know where I want it at. Half the fender to tire gap and my suspension is sagging I believe so there is why I might want if. I still have a month maybe less, birthday is today! until I start purchases when I do rear disc.

So start researching spring/strut combos to get the ride height where you want it. Don't forget that tire size plays a huge role in wheel gap as well.

Yonaka is garbage...total garbage. Don't cheap out on suspension, it's not worth it.

[deevergote]

Koni Yellows will offer some adjustment in height as well... without leaving room for you to make dumb mistakes (well, no more than usual... from my experience, you can ALWAYS make a dumb mistake!)

[XCRN]

Ok so Yonaka is out then, I guess all I need to know is the original height, I assume the advertised drops are from original height, which mine all sag at different heights in its current position, at least I am not driving at the moment so no safety issue.

[deevergote]

You can always browse the Members Rides threads to see what people are on.

[XCRN]

So I did more looking and H&R Race with ~2" drop seems to be ideal. I might just use Koni Oranges as this is still a lowish budget so the prices for the H&R range from $205 to $250. Would the lower price seem fair for the springs?

[deevergote]

I've been on H&R Race and Koni Yellows in the past. Very nice, though a little too low for me. The Oranges aren't the best for a drop that low, but they'll probably hold. They're essentially the yellows on full soft. If you can save up for the Yellows, you'd be doing yourself a favor.

I got my H&R Race springs used from a friend. They worked well for me for years, and I've now traded them to another friend in exchange for some Neuspeed Race springs. They've been working well on his car as well (though his car, like mine, is currently off the road.)