Difference between a S4 and S5 chassis
 

Hi everyone,

I have an opportunity to buy an 85 series 4 with a complete series 5 transplant from a 1991. engine/interior/lights/exterior. The car is quite a long distance away, and I can't physically examine it for myself. From the pictures I've received, it has the complete S5 exterior (front fenders, doors, bumpers front and back, side skirts, and rear lights except for the high stop light), the complete interior (seats, carpets, door trims) except for the back seat belts, and the series 5 engine.

It's a japanese spec one, RHD, turbo, manual, 78000km's. The engine has not been rebuilt, it's just a straight swap (i'm guessing they had an entire doner S5 car from japan)

Are there any other things I should ask about the car? I've asked about the running gear (gbox, driveshaft, LSD) and about the brakes, and he's confirmed their S5 ones.

Is there any diff between the S4 chassis and the S5 chassis? Or any thing like the suspension arms/bits n peices, I should ask about?

The owner has had the car for only 6 months, and the conversion was done by the previous owner. The car is still running the factory electric OMP.

Details of the car (as advertised by the owner) :

1985 Mazda rx7 13b turbo.

Turbosmart bov
Monza pod filter
Professionally lowered
Gtst 16'' rims
Gizzmo fuel cut defender
Gizzmo electronic boost controller
8-14 psi boost
Uniden alarm and immobilizer
Greddy turbo timer
Hks exhaust
Auto gauge boost gauge
Kenwood cd player
Lightning audio 12'' sub and amp
Power windows

Thanks again for your help
- Ryan

bare chassis itself is identical, difference is only in parts which were swapped

- brakes are same S4 / S5 (for JDM models)
- not sure on suspension parts for JDM models, but S4 front arms are better (balljoints are replaceable, while S5 has it built in and you have to replace whole arm when balljoint goes bad)
- S5 swaybar links are plastic, while S4 swaybar links are metal

If u can, ask what ECU/harness is car running (S4 or S5?)

Well the body is not EXACTLY identical besides those parts you've mentioned. I think icemark pointed out in a thread not too long ago that some of the pillers are reinforced and stuff in the s5 for the electric seatbelts, as well as a bigger gas tank and a few other things.

- fuel tank is not body part and is fully interchangeble (and EU turbos do have bigger tank even in S4 version)

- automatic seatbelts were only on US models, not on EU/JDM afaik

Thanks for the reply hIGGI and arghx, I will ask about the ECU and harness now.