Shinka/40th vs. regular RX-8 ride and handling
06-07-2011 | 02:33 PM
#26
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I made a suspension parts list here....still working on additions.
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...23#post3998723
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...23#post3998723
06-08-2011 | 09:22 AM
#27
First of all, I doubt that using just the Bilstein shocks from an R3 is going to make your car unstable in any way, shape, or form.
You have to remember that the sole purpose of a shock absorber is to control the oscillations of the suspension components after the tire hits a bump.
This is done in many different ways, varying from fluid weight, orifice size, air space size, and even air pressure, not to mention any differences in construction (like a shim stack versus damper rod setup).
Your springs are already sufficient for holding the weight of the car, so the Bilsteins aren't going to be over-taxed in that regards. Chances are they will change the way the car reacts to bumps, however. Most likely in quicker rebound damping, and less compression damping.
In other words, they will probably feel a smidge harder when you hit a bump, and reset to neutral position quicker than your stock shocks.
As for if they have the same perch location, you will only know that when you put the R3 shock side by side with your current shock.
I say go for it.
BC.
You have to remember that the sole purpose of a shock absorber is to control the oscillations of the suspension components after the tire hits a bump.
This is done in many different ways, varying from fluid weight, orifice size, air space size, and even air pressure, not to mention any differences in construction (like a shim stack versus damper rod setup).
Your springs are already sufficient for holding the weight of the car, so the Bilsteins aren't going to be over-taxed in that regards. Chances are they will change the way the car reacts to bumps, however. Most likely in quicker rebound damping, and less compression damping.
In other words, they will probably feel a smidge harder when you hit a bump, and reset to neutral position quicker than your stock shocks.
As for if they have the same perch location, you will only know that when you put the R3 shock side by side with your current shock.
I say go for it.
BC.
05-03-2012 | 09:36 PM
#28
Best place I found to put this in...
I just installed the Eibach Pro Springs on my 40th AE. Found no fit issues with the stock Bilsteins and did not have to modify anything. The results were a 1.25" drop in front and only a 0.5" inch drop in the rear. I had pre-loaded before tightening.
Advertised drop from Eibach was 1.25" front and back. The wheel gap on rear was originally smaller than front and I like the result as is.
Autocrossed the day after and found less understeer and reasonably firmer ride overall. Looks like it should have from Mazda. Love it!
Pictures are pre and post fronts, front springs (taller is stock) and rear comparisons.
Advertised drop from Eibach was 1.25" front and back. The wheel gap on rear was originally smaller than front and I like the result as is.
Autocrossed the day after and found less understeer and reasonably firmer ride overall. Looks like it should have from Mazda. Love it!
Pictures are pre and post fronts, front springs (taller is stock) and rear comparisons.
05-05-2012 | 11:14 PM
#31
Post Eibach spring change out on Bilstein OEM
This is the wide shot after the new Eibach Pro spring change out on my 40th AE. I look at it and don't notice wheel gap or that it's lowered. Looks natural.
I drive it 500 miles a week for work commute on mostly good highway conditions. Rides a bit stiffer and I'm good with that.
I drive it 500 miles a week for work commute on mostly good highway conditions. Rides a bit stiffer and I'm good with that.
05-08-2012 | 11:33 PM
#33
Tire size shown in picture
I played it safe due to my use of the car in autocross and the wheels i use. Make sure to post your experiences, especially on the 40th AE since I found very few specific results in the forum. Plenty of examples for non-AE success stories.
I added the Progress sway bar and the handling, combined with the Eibach Pro spings, is 100% improved on a car that is awsome in stock configuration.
05-09-2012 | 09:58 AM
#34
PaPa Bear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 592
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From: Miami, Florida
I owned a 2004 RX-8 and bought a 40th several years ago. The handling does feel crisper and the car feels tighter. I have run the same brand of tires on both cars and a nut on maintaining the proper tire pressure. My speed in different segments of road (twisties and circular ramps) that I drive on a regular basis was a little better than the 2004. I have almost 50,000 miles on the car and love it. Also no problems with the car at all. Engine runs great.
05-09-2012 | 11:15 AM
#35
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Posts: 1,061
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From: Cacti Land, AZ
After all, i think everything boils down to the simple fact that the car came from factory with bilstein shocks, which tend to be stiffer than others. Not sure that the foam-filled crossmember makes a significant difference, but that could contribute also.
I do prefer the 'tighter' feel of the ride
06-25-2012 | 09:36 AM
#37
I'd like to chime in on this conversation as someone who test drove an R3 and has been desperately desiring to have the same steering response feel of the R3 in the 2007 Sport I ended up buying. I'm seeing a lot of R3/AE vs Sport comparisons but has anyone who has felt the difference tried test driving someone's Sport + upgraded suspension setup? How close can we get the Sport to the feel of the AE/R3 with upgraded shocks?
06-25-2012 | 12:20 PM
#38
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From: Cacti Land, AZ
I'd like to chime in on this conversation as someone who test drove an R3 and has been desperately desiring to have the same steering response feel of the R3 in the 2007 Sport I ended up buying. I'm seeing a lot of R3/AE vs Sport comparisons but has anyone who has felt the difference tried test driving someone's Sport + upgraded suspension setup? How close can we get the Sport to the feel of the AE/R3 with upgraded shocks?
Install a good set of adjustable coilovers on a Sport and I guarantee you the 'feel' of the R3 will not come even close.
If you don't have that much money, then simply upgrade the springs and sway bars. That would make a difference too.
The suspension 'upgrades' on the R3 are not huge. And as I said before....most of the 'feel' probably comes primarily from the shocks.
06-26-2012 | 10:30 PM
#39
tires
I'd like to chime in on this conversation as someone who test drove an R3 and has been desperately desiring to have the same steering response feel of the R3 in the 2007 Sport I ended up buying. I'm seeing a lot of R3/AE vs Sport comparisons but has anyone who has felt the difference tried test driving someone's Sport + upgraded suspension setup? How close can we get the Sport to the feel of the AE/R3 with upgraded shocks?
06-27-2012 | 05:42 PM
#40
The R3 and the Sport had the stock Bridgestones; 225/40ZR19 on the R3 and 225/45ZR18 on the Sport. I think the sidewall stiffness difference is pretty tiny (maybe 0.10 inches). I'm pretty sure the AE/Shinkras have the same tires as the Sports so the difference in handling would have to come from some place else. I'm about two degrees of self control away from purchasing some powertrix coilovers in an attempt to get that steering responsiveness feel of the R3 since many seem to think upgrading the Sport's suspension is all there is to it. Would be nice to hear someone confirm that their Sport + coilovers meets or exceeds the steering feel of the R3 (this of course presupposes that they have driven an R3).
06-28-2012 | 05:17 PM
#41
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From: Cacti Land, AZ
LOL.
Seriously, there's no secret to the R3 other than Mazda made it more convenient for some owners to have 'some' suspension upgrades.
But the upgrades are minimal in the large scheme of suspension tuning.
So yes, a Sport with suspension upgrades could outperform a factory R3 easily.
10-27-2012 | 03:05 PM
#42
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From: Charlettsville, Virginia
I see this is an old posting but... Ill give my imput.
I own a 2005 Shinka and a 2004 GT, b4 anyone asks; no ive never had a compression issue with either, both are 6MT... Thank You Mazda god.
The Shinka sports a +2mm over the sport suspension for a total of 14mm springs.
I run stock size tires on both cars up until recently where I got after market 18x9 TSW's for the Shinka.
I own a 2005 Shinka and a 2004 GT, b4 anyone asks; no ive never had a compression issue with either, both are 6MT... Thank You Mazda god.
The Shinka sports a +2mm over the sport suspension for a total of 14mm springs.
I run stock size tires on both cars up until recently where I got after market 18x9 TSW's for the Shinka.
10-27-2012 | 03:10 PM
#43
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From: Charlettsville, Virginia
I notice a small difference in the shinka being tighter around corners by only a small amount, and a slightly harder ride.
I hope this helps you a little. Both cars had the same Kumho's Estas Platinum LX's.
I hope this helps you a little. Both cars had the same Kumho's Estas Platinum LX's.
10-27-2012 | 11:58 PM
#44
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From: Dover AFB, DE
This has been touched on multiple times in this thread it seems, but I figured I'd chime in with my two cents on the matter.
Had a roommate that had an 04 Sport recently and I drove it a few times and it was pretty nice. Steering was responsive, but definitely softer when comparing it to my 40th anniversary. I noticed that the steering was pinpoint accurate and the ride very firm(almost harsh) when comparing it to my roommate's old sport.
Then again, that RX-8 had almost 80k miles and mine only has 34k...so that definitely has something to do with the difference in feel. I'm guessing that if you got two models from the same year with similar miles and compared them the difference would be pretty negligible outside of ride comfort.
Had a roommate that had an 04 Sport recently and I drove it a few times and it was pretty nice. Steering was responsive, but definitely softer when comparing it to my 40th anniversary. I noticed that the steering was pinpoint accurate and the ride very firm(almost harsh) when comparing it to my roommate's old sport.
Then again, that RX-8 had almost 80k miles and mine only has 34k...so that definitely has something to do with the difference in feel. I'm guessing that if you got two models from the same year with similar miles and compared them the difference would be pretty negligible outside of ride comfort.
10-28-2012 | 12:48 AM
#45
tl;dr
I used to have an 09 touring, got the 08 40th and the ride was harder and more responsive, and it felt like there was less body roll. test drove an 05 sport with winter tires and that bitch felt sluggish as hell, rolled like crazy compared to the others.
Both had Nexen CP662 all season craptastic tires. im currently trying to kill them, but they just wont die. Even without an alignment and severe negative camber and not rotating them. ugh they suck, and they wont even die. so annoyed.
I used to have an 09 touring, got the 08 40th and the ride was harder and more responsive, and it felt like there was less body roll. test drove an 05 sport with winter tires and that bitch felt sluggish as hell, rolled like crazy compared to the others.
Both had Nexen CP662 all season craptastic tires. im currently trying to kill them, but they just wont die. Even without an alignment and severe negative camber and not rotating them. ugh they suck, and they wont even die. so annoyed.
10-28-2012 | 03:20 PM
#46
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You can't really compare the handling without knowing what the alignment is. IME (sampling pool of 1), the factory alignment windows are pretty huge and the difference between +.3 and -1 camber up front is massive but both are fine from the factory. Mine came with -1 right and -.3 left :/ I'd assume the toe has a similar range, but I'm too lazy to look it up.
40th and r3 will be firmer but you can really change the turn in response with a good alignment. Cheapest handling mod ever there is for the massive improvements you can get.
40th and r3 will be firmer but you can really change the turn in response with a good alignment. Cheapest handling mod ever there is for the massive improvements you can get.
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