The Shinka vs Stock RX8, what's true and false?
 

Hi all,

I know I'm a newb, and I apologize for not properly using the search button if this has been brought up. I read on wiki that the Shinka's(2006) came stock with Bilstein struts. I crawled under my 06 today and noticed my struts all are black with a Mazda sticker on them(can't recall the part number on the label but I can always get it again). My car was said to be a 2006 GT Shinka, when it she sits next to other RX-8's it's substantially lower(my springs don't look aftermarkert btw), has a very aggressive suspension, also has a few other amenities listed under the Shinka package(whitewater pearl paint, leather seats). So did the Shinka really come with Bilstein struts? Do I own a non Shinka GT? How can I find out?

sorry to disappoint you. it's not a shinka.

care to tell the guy why its not a shinka? are shinkas only a certain color?

Agreed,

@ thebigdaddy, explain how it is not a shinka? Your not saying much with that statement there, guy.

If you want, I can send you the production list of 2006 Shinka's listed by VIN number. I have the PDF because my car was listed as Shinka by the dealer, and ended up not being a Shinka.

As additional info:
2005 Shinka's are a special black/dark red color known as Red Cherry. 2006 came in other colors, including Whitewater Pearl. Key features include slightly chromed wheels, leather interiors, leather handbrake cover, upgraded interior trim, and the foam-filled suspension and upgraded shocks (source: http://rotarynews.com/node/view/757, wikipedia).

Most of those items can be put on by the dealer or a previous owner, so they do not really determine if you have a Shinka or not.

PM Sent JinDesu,

aside the shocks, I have all black interior(leather). I have the alloy trim around the a/c vents etc, Sat. radio, like I mentioned, car looks LOW compared to other RX-8's. I drove an 09 R3 6-speed and didn't feel much difference between the two cars(this was before I traded in my V8 so I'm sure i was still on a TQ high to notice much difference). Aside that, I don't know...my car looks good and drives like a monster(yea american SRA sucks in terms of handling).

The low part is confusing. Bilstein shocks should not (and most shocks also) lower the car. Springs lower the car. The Koni Yellow shocks can lower the car up to half an inch based on the springs used, but that's an exception.

Could the possibility exist the springs are worn and sagging?

That is a possibility; did this car have a previous owner? How many miles on it? Springs and shocks generally last forever on a car, although I've heard that our stock shocks aren't that good.

Hopefully someone with much more expertise can comment on this thread.

Had 52K when I got her, 53K meow. One prior owner, seemed in well shape(looking at pads/rotors which probably should be done in the next few months to 1 yr). Got a 4 year warranty from the dealer to 100K. Told me if it covers everything(if I hit a pot hole and all 4 wheels are damaged they will replace them even if they are aftermarket). I know sounds too good to be true, I cancelled the ext. warranty on my old Mitsu Eclipse years ago(never used it). With the talks of issues with the Renesis motor I figured I might as well get the ext. warranty(plus i haven't owned an auto a/t in years).

Unfortunately, I cannot give much more advice in figuring out why your car is lower. If you can maybe grab some pictures of the springs/shock assembly, it might help. Plus, double check if you are actually lower - looks can be deceiving.

That warranty sounds great - just be aware of the factory warranties (they do transfer ownership, unless they were voided on the car). Your engine is still under factory warranty, and I believe your powertrain is also under warranty for a little while longer.

Well, at first I doubted her being lower, but today I parked next to another white RX-8 near a local Bar(coicindence)? The other car had more gap between the top of the tire and the fender than my car does. Same wheels on both cars, IDK, looks lower. I will get pics in the next few days.

Mmm, let us know when you have the pics.

Hrm, I did not know that there was WWP shinka. You can also verify by the seat quality. If the leather has some suede material in the middle, it should be the seats that ONLY shinkas have.

I believe that'll be the leather/alacantra seats.

The 05 Shinka was only in one color (two possibly, I don't remember the other). The 06 was a trim level, and could be applied to the GT WWP, Galaxy Grey, and VR of 06.

can any one post actual pics of a shinka?

2005 model:
http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/to...al-Edition.htm

Take note of the tan leather seats, the dark cherry color, and the chrome stock rims. The 05 Shinka only came in the dark cherry color (and I don't dark cherry is a normal production color, so the 05 dark cherry 8s are all Shinka's).

2006 model:
http://www.motortopia.com/album/view...10750/i/06_rx8

Take note of the dual color seats (leather outside, alacantra inside), the chrome stock rims, and aluminum AC trim (although that might be in the GT too).

However, all the Shinka trim parts can be put onto a normal GT to make it look like a Shinka. Especially the Shinka B-pillar trim.

ohhh i see, so the shinkas come in special colors than the basic ones? and leather seats that arnt black like the r3?

That's a little confusing. The 2005 Shinka came in Black Cherry (dark cherry). I do not believe Black Cherry is a normal production color.

The 2006 Shinka was a trim level that was made on VR, WWP, and Galaxy Grey RX-8s. Those three colors are normal production colors.

The normal GT leather seats are black. The 2005 Shinka had Tan leather seats. The 2006 Shinka's had leather/alcantara seats. The one's I've seen commonly are white leather with white alcantara. I don't know if there are other color leather/alcantara seats.

Edit* Misspelled alcantara as alacantra.

ah man, this shits confusing! lol why doesnt mazda add a shinka symbol. just like ford mustang adds gt or cobra.

They sort of did - the B-pillar. Unfortunately, they also made the B-pillar a part to sell.

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...cat=267&page=1

As you see, you can get it from a Mazda Dealer. Same thing with the 40th anniversary badge.

Well this effin sucks. My car has solid leather seats, has the alloy trim around the a/c vents, a few alloy accents here and there. Doesn't look like I have a Shinka and was misinformed. Now I gotta get my friggin name changed :(

That sucks to hear =\

Meh, I still like the car just the same. Just means I have to add the Bilstein struts myself now.

you can always check the VIN