What does the "suspension cross member injected with urethane foam" look like?

I assume this is the strut tower bar in the front, but what does the Shinka version look like? Anyone have a pic?

After changing out leaking struts on my 2005 Shinka that turned out to be Tokicos I'm getting the sinking feeling that the previous owner removed the specific Shinka parts from the car and either sold them or put them on another car.



Not a huge deal since I'd probably have to change out struts at some point anyway and a friend had some free Tokico D-Specs, but the I'd like to know exactly what is going on with the car.

 

always happy to assist another black cherry shinka in need.

tell me where to find that and I will take a photo of it...

 

Pic of the engine bay would do it. Take off the engine cover just in case it is covering part of the strut tower bar, I can't remember if it is.

 

It's not the front strut tower bar, and it's definitely not the suspension struts...literary it's the cross member. They all look the same for each model, unless u cut it open, otherwise you won't see the foam inside....

However, 2005 shinka does come with thicker front suspension struts compare to same year GT.

 

It is supposed to have Bilstein struts right?

 

Nope, only S2 R3 has it.

From Mazda: http://www.mazda.co.jp/corporate/pub...10/051018.html
All other models are using 12.5mm while shinka equipped with 14 mm suspension rod. And no, it's NOT Bilstein.

 

I believe the only difference between the suspension upgrades of the '05 SHINKA vs other models are the Bilstein Shocks and the cross member was injected with urethane to improve ride quality.

Since you purchased it used, are you sure it's actually a SHINKA?
The 05's only came in 1 color, a black cherry red.

EDIT: Only the '06 SHINKAS came with Bilstein shocks.

 

The only source I found that listed 05 and 06 shinka with bilstein was wiki.
Mazda and other site listed as "special tuned suspension".

 

Yeah, I got the information from Wiki as well.
But I also remember watching a Japanese car show talking about the Shinka and it coming with Bilstein shocks and how all Rx-8s should come like this from the factory.

I don't have a Shinka though so I can't verify it.

 

Okay, good to know.

Well, unless someone painted an RX-8 Black Cherry Mica and replaced the interior with parchment colored leather seats and slapped on Shinka stickers on the side I'd say it's a Shinka.

 

there are other Shinka give-aways too. Look at the interior. Do you have the black sewn leather on the steering wheel and the e-brake? Just a quick way to verify.

 

PS - do you want to see a photo of my cross member?

 

Yes, it has all that.

It wasn't that I wasn't sure it was a Shinka, I just wasn't clear on what the thing was supposed to have on it. I kept seeing stuff about Bilsteins being standard on them so when I saw Tokico I thought something was up.

Yes. Yes I do.