Full Review on Hayame Coilovers
Thread Starter
The Standard One
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,659
Likes: 1
From: City of Angels, California, US
Rep Power: 416 
Full Review on Hayame Coilovers
GroupBuy $650 SHIPPED through www.UrbanImport.com
How to adjust the height on the hayames
When I heard these were out I knew I had to get them. It comes with tokico shocks, 3 locknuts(opposed to 2) and upper mounts all for only $650 shipped from www.urbanimport.com. The main thing that separates this from teins, b&g or kw is the 3 locknuts.
Advantage of 3 locknuts: You know how most coilovers, lower you go worse the ride. Well that’s because with coilovers such as tein, you adjust the spring perch(the thing the spring sits on) to lower the car. When you lower the car 2" with tein's your basically compressing the shock 2" all the time, which puts added stress on it. With the hayames you’re not adjusting the perch but the actual length of the strut. This allows the shock to retain full stroke and gives you the same ride at 2" as you would at stock height.
Top Mount: This allows ease of installation. Basically just take out the old struts and put in the hayames. No need to worry about compressing the springs, what parts you need from the stock struts, whether your 01 needs new mounts, etc... It just makes installation a breeze.
Also when receiving the coilovers I saw something I didn’t see in the pictures. There isn’t a camber plate BUT they made the hole for the top bolt wider so that you can adjust the camber that way without using a (front) camber kit.
Another thing is they have 'spring isolators'. People with teins or b&g sometimes complain about clanking noises. The spring isolators eliminate the noises often found with coilovers.
There are so many little details hayame paid attention to. It may not have damper adjustability but it has all these other features that the $1200 coilovers don’t have. All for $650, you can’t beat it... Best bang for buck hands down.
Ok so I finally got the fronts on. Right now i have the fronts at 2.25" and the rear at 2.5"(basically exactly the same as neuspeed race). Drove my car to work(the roads are really badd and I practically memorized the streets so it put them to the test) and I have to say they ride really nice. There's a couple places where I cringe going 15mph but with the hayames I can take them at 35mph without having to. The rear is slightly softer than what i'm used to but i'm sure adjusting the preload on the springs will fix that(just raise the perch up to compress the springs more). I'll probably play with that tonight if I can and will probably drop it down so that I tuck in a week(cause my dad has to use my car on thursday). I should probably be going down to a 2.5-3" drop eventually with my 18s. Oh and best of all NO MORE BOTTOMING OUT!!!
I highly recommend getting them from Michael at www.urbanimport.com. Great service and awesome to work with. Fast shipping too, got them 2 days after he received my payment.
How to adjust the height on the hayames
When I heard these were out I knew I had to get them. It comes with tokico shocks, 3 locknuts(opposed to 2) and upper mounts all for only $650 shipped from www.urbanimport.com. The main thing that separates this from teins, b&g or kw is the 3 locknuts.
Advantage of 3 locknuts: You know how most coilovers, lower you go worse the ride. Well that’s because with coilovers such as tein, you adjust the spring perch(the thing the spring sits on) to lower the car. When you lower the car 2" with tein's your basically compressing the shock 2" all the time, which puts added stress on it. With the hayames you’re not adjusting the perch but the actual length of the strut. This allows the shock to retain full stroke and gives you the same ride at 2" as you would at stock height.
Top Mount: This allows ease of installation. Basically just take out the old struts and put in the hayames. No need to worry about compressing the springs, what parts you need from the stock struts, whether your 01 needs new mounts, etc... It just makes installation a breeze.
Also when receiving the coilovers I saw something I didn’t see in the pictures. There isn’t a camber plate BUT they made the hole for the top bolt wider so that you can adjust the camber that way without using a (front) camber kit.
Another thing is they have 'spring isolators'. People with teins or b&g sometimes complain about clanking noises. The spring isolators eliminate the noises often found with coilovers.
There are so many little details hayame paid attention to. It may not have damper adjustability but it has all these other features that the $1200 coilovers don’t have. All for $650, you can’t beat it... Best bang for buck hands down.
Ok so I finally got the fronts on. Right now i have the fronts at 2.25" and the rear at 2.5"(basically exactly the same as neuspeed race). Drove my car to work(the roads are really badd and I practically memorized the streets so it put them to the test) and I have to say they ride really nice. There's a couple places where I cringe going 15mph but with the hayames I can take them at 35mph without having to. The rear is slightly softer than what i'm used to but i'm sure adjusting the preload on the springs will fix that(just raise the perch up to compress the springs more). I'll probably play with that tonight if I can and will probably drop it down so that I tuck in a week(cause my dad has to use my car on thursday). I should probably be going down to a 2.5-3" drop eventually with my 18s. Oh and best of all NO MORE BOTTOMING OUT!!!
I highly recommend getting them from Michael at www.urbanimport.com. Great service and awesome to work with. Fast shipping too, got them 2 days after he received my payment.
Thread Starter
The Standard One
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,659
Likes: 1
From: City of Angels, California, US
Rep Power: 416 ya no damper adjustability but for $650 you cant really ask for much. tein basics which run $900 and b&gs that are $1200 dont offer damper adjustment either. b&g's are "self-adjusting" but all shocks are basically self adjusting.
Ya i'll try to give my best comparison after I finish the install. Only if i had more time today. Should have time to finish tomorrow tho.
Ya i'll try to give my best comparison after I finish the install. Only if i had more time today. Should have time to finish tomorrow tho.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 3
From: Washington DC
Rep Power: 423 
Any clues as to the spring rates? Just wondering... it doesn't matter to me all that much since I've got my mind made up, but for that price, if they're stiff enough to be considered race-worthy, thats a hell of a start-up deal.
This is originally a JIC Magic feature, but yes... it basically allows the ride to remain the same regardless of how low the car is, and doesn't waste your suspension travel. You will have increased travel over the coils with the adjustable spring perch design, and you should probably make sure that you leave more clearance than you think is neccessary at low ride heights, then lower it incrementally if possible/desired.
With the hayames you’re not adjusting the perch but the actual length of the strut. This allows the shock to retain full stroke and gives you the same ride at 2" as you would at stock height.
Last edited by Boilermaker1; Jan 10, 2004 at 07:41 PM.
Registered!!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
From: Queens, NYC
Rep Power: 306 Very nice write up VNlilman 
. Since reading your review, I might actually be thinking about getting a pair oppsed to the b&g's or tein basics. Since each of them are 890 shipped, I would save a significant amount of money by going with the hayame's for 650. Only thing that scares me now is that no one has had these coilovers or used them for a long period of time corect, so no one knows its quality over time. Tokico is a good brand, and should be decent. Either way, nice review, let us know how the ride feels after all 4 have been installed. Nice work! 
. Since reading your review, I might actually be thinking about getting a pair oppsed to the b&g's or tein basics. Since each of them are 890 shipped, I would save a significant amount of money by going with the hayame's for 650. Only thing that scares me now is that no one has had these coilovers or used them for a long period of time corect, so no one knows its quality over time. Tokico is a good brand, and should be decent. Either way, nice review, let us know how the ride feels after all 4 have been installed. Nice work! 
01-03 Civic 6KG Front/8KG Rear
is the spring rates found on gbc.. they are the same company vnil is talking about btw. search for hayame..
someone compare this to the teins and kw's
is the spring rates found on gbc.. they are the same company vnil is talking about btw. search for hayame..
someone compare this to the teins and kw's
ok.. never mind.. these are teins
6.0K/8.0K-336LBS/448LBS
KW's
Type II (DC5,EP3) 350F/500R
3 locknuts, these are my coilovers..
6.0K/8.0K-336LBS/448LBS
KW's
Type II (DC5,EP3) 350F/500R
3 locknuts, these are my coilovers..
Last edited by DogstyleEX; Jan 11, 2004 at 01:54 AM.
Thread Starter
The Standard One
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,659
Likes: 1
From: City of Angels, California, US
Rep Power: 416 Ya as stated above, spring rates are 6kg front and 8kg rear. You can go stiffer by getting the RSX ones. Those are 8kg up front 10kg rear but ya you need to do some modifications(new tie rods, shaving rear mount, etc...). Most coilovers for our cars are in that range tho..
Hayame: 335/447
tein basic: 336/448
tein ss: 336/448
KW 2: 350/500
True no one has used these for a long time but i'm sure they'll last. The shocks are made by tokico and also you are using stiffer spring rates BUT your not putting as much stress on the shock because of that 3rd locknut.
DogstyleEX, yours are to'ser or something like that right? I remember you posting about them before.
Hayame: 335/447
tein basic: 336/448
tein ss: 336/448
KW 2: 350/500
True no one has used these for a long time but i'm sure they'll last. The shocks are made by tokico and also you are using stiffer spring rates BUT your not putting as much stress on the shock because of that 3rd locknut.
DogstyleEX, yours are to'ser or something like that right? I remember you posting about them before.
yea that's right lilman.. but id on't have any info on them ie spring rates or anything.. but that's the 3 locknuts you're talking about right? The bottom locknut is the one that actually changes the length of the strut...
Thread Starter
The Standard One
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,659
Likes: 1
From: City of Angels, California, US
Rep Power: 416 Dainfamous, well if your comparing the tein basics vs hayame i would get hayames. its $250 cheaper AND you have a lot more features. Tein basics have the same spring rate as the hayames but they dont have the top mount, 3rd lucknut nor the adjustable camber.
VtecIvIc, use the coupon "hayamegb"
xmeeksx, manufacture says so. I doubt they would lie about something that important.
DogstyleEX, ya thats the same thing i'm talking about.
Alright I just got done installing the fronts. I drove around the block and it rides really nice but dont want to give a review yet. I want to drive around with it more. and i'll definitely know how it rides when i goto work tomorrow. I know the road really well and should be able to get a good comparison as to how well it rides. The roads are really badd and bumpy so it'll definitely put the hayames to the test.
VtecIvIc, use the coupon "hayamegb"
xmeeksx, manufacture says so. I doubt they would lie about something that important.
DogstyleEX, ya thats the same thing i'm talking about.
Alright I just got done installing the fronts. I drove around the block and it rides really nice but dont want to give a review yet. I want to drive around with it more. and i'll definitely know how it rides when i goto work tomorrow. I know the road really well and should be able to get a good comparison as to how well it rides. The roads are really badd and bumpy so it'll definitely put the hayames to the test.
ive been reading alot about these and so far they seem like a good deal. Personally im not involved in auto-x, and right now i'm riding on neuspeed sports, with stock struts. I want something that is adjustable, allows me to have improved conering, and also wont rust out on me in the winter. Has it been confirmed what material they are made of?
Last edited by Big Baller L; Jan 11, 2004 at 05:44 PM.
Registered!!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Cali
Rep Power: 0 ive been riding around in my car for a couple of days....really i cant tell that much of a difference and have already gotten used to the stiffer ride.....none of my friends have complained at all riding with me, but instead say it rides very nice for the drop i have right now....
Registered!!
iTrader: (15)
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 0
From: Corona, California, US
Rep Power: 303 Originally posted by Dainfamous
can u link me to purchase the Hayame for a good price.
can u link me to purchase the Hayame for a good price.
Use discount code hayamegb
Search and Learn
iTrader: (34)
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 14,004
Likes: 0
From: 909, Socal
Rep Power: 431 Originally posted by Dainfamous
can u link me to purchase the Hayame for a good price.
can u link me to purchase the Hayame for a good price.
Thread Starter
The Standard One
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,659
Likes: 1
From: City of Angels, California, US
Rep Power: 416 Sorry not sure what material they're made of. I live in sunny cali so no problems with salt here.
I heard hayame regulates the price on them and $650 is the cheapest they can sell it. There's always shipping added to the price but www.urbanimport.com offers free shipping to give them to you at the cheapest price possible.
I heard hayame regulates the price on them and $650 is the cheapest they can sell it. There's always shipping added to the price but www.urbanimport.com offers free shipping to give them to you at the cheapest price possible.
how about speed bumps? i can't go faster than 5mph with my 17's and stock struts and ground controls...any faster and "THUD" ... ouch
can u do what stock cars are capable of doing? (speeding over speed bumps)?
I'm pretty much set on these, if you can own speed bumps, then ima get these asap.
good job on the review...awesome info
can u do what stock cars are capable of doing? (speeding over speed bumps)?
I'm pretty much set on these, if you can own speed bumps, then ima get these asap.
good job on the review...awesome info
Thread Starter
The Standard One
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,659
Likes: 1
From: City of Angels, California, US
Rep Power: 416 Well depends on what causes the THUD. If the thud is from the bottom of the car hitting the speed bump, NO this will not fix it. BUT if the thud is from the struts itself bottoming out, than YES. The problem with ground controls is they are really² soft. Also when you slam them 3" on stock shocks, as i said your basically compressing the shocks 3". Say you normally have 4" of shock travel stock. If you drop it 3" your reducing that travel down to 1". 1" is not that much especially with something as soft as ground controls. What happens when you hit a dip and need more than 1", you bottom out and hear that loud THUD.
Now with hayames, since your adjusting the shock length your not compressing the shock 3" just shortening it 3". This way you still keep full stroke and have that 4" of shock travel(not an exact figure) rather than the 1" with ground controls. Thus there is no bottoming out.
Now with hayames, since your adjusting the shock length your not compressing the shock 3" just shortening it 3". This way you still keep full stroke and have that 4" of shock travel(not an exact figure) rather than the 1" with ground controls. Thus there is no bottoming out.
Registered!!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
From: Queens, NYC
Rep Power: 306 great, these coilovers seems to be hott! I think I will get on that GB from Dezod, hopefully he will prolong it for 1-2 months so I can get the money ready . I'll probably only drop 1-1.5" so I wont scrape that much, just enough to close the wheel gap =). Once again, nice review vnlilman!
. I'll probably only drop 1-1.5" so I wont scrape that much, just enough to close the wheel gap =). Once again, nice review vnlilman! 
Registered!!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: CT
Rep Power: 0 I just ordered mine from Mike at Urban (hayame) and I had them overnighted and will get them tommorow. The question I have is what do these springs come factory set at? I want to do the the one finger gap. Also does Hayame have anymarks or ways to measure the approximate ride before installin the struts. I would like to adjust them evenly before installing them in my car. Unfortunatly I had to order the lower control arms and steering knukels because my struts have been blown out for 1 year now so in result I completly screwed up the ball joints and made the lower control arm holes bigger :-( .
So this cost me Hayame $740 shipped over night plus $586 for Honda Genuine parts. How can I get an alignment?? I do have an Eibach camber kit can I still use it?? Any answers to any of these question is greatly appriciated. I am real anxious to finally have a car handle the way it should after driving like crap for a year! I have the neuspeed strut tower bar and the DCsports lower rear tie bar.
So this cost me Hayame $740 shipped over night plus $586 for Honda Genuine parts. How can I get an alignment?? I do have an Eibach camber kit can I still use it?? Any answers to any of these question is greatly appriciated. I am real anxious to finally have a car handle the way it should after driving like crap for a year! I have the neuspeed strut tower bar and the DCsports lower rear tie bar.
