2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

How do i tell an S4 from an S5 ?

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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 10:04 AM
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How do i tell an S4 from an S5 ?

hi,

like I said before I’m looking to buy a RX-7.
i found several adds but most of them are somewhat far from where I am so I’m looking for a way to tell an S4 from an S5 trough the pictures they send me. Asking the salesmen for build dates or tech details is not an option (huh, what, ermm)

thankxx
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 10:18 AM
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Ummm, how about the basic model year? The salesman should at least be able to tell you that.

-b
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 10:20 AM
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tail lights...
the s4 has more of a blocks look
s5 is circular shapes in it...
haha bad descriptions but whatever
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 10:24 AM
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in addition to the tail lights, the S4 has black body moldings, and the S5 has color matched moldings. or, like wrankin said, just check the model year
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 10:26 AM
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S5's have painted moldings on the side of the car whereas S4's are just a black plastic . Also, the gauges are all circular instead of triangular, and the tail lights have circular lights as opposed to square ones.
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by wrankin
Ummm, how about the basic model year? The salesman should at least be able to tell you that.
-b
for some strange reason salespeople in Portugal have no clue about the concept of "build date" !!! all they seem to know is registration date and, at least around here, mazda is known for selling new cars more than an year after the build date
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by 90WhiteVrt
painted moldings on the side of the car and the gauges are all circular instead of triangular. Also the tail lights have circular lights as opposed to square ones.
not sure if the tail tells the tale…
if I’m not wrong the round tail lights were introduced in 1988 (build date) but the engine changes (146 -> 160 HP & 182 -> 200 HP) only came in 1989. can anyone confirm this ?
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 10:32 AM
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Isin't there a diference from the s4 and s5 front bumber too!
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 10:38 AM
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a for sure way is to look at the OIL METERING PUMP if its electrical, its S5 and if its mechanical S4 thats the most for sure way to tell cause anyone could slap S5 lights on an S4 and call it a day. I have friends with S4s that have done S5 conversions but still have the S4 block. form the outside it looks like an S5 but theyre really not. so anyways check the OIL METERING PUMP tell them you want a pic.
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by umi415
Isin't there a diference from the s4 and s5 front bumber too!
yes, it changed from a decal to an “embossment”
again I’m not sure if this is a sure sign of the “new” engine…
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted by swbooking
a for sure way is to look at the OIL METERING PUMP if its electrical, its S5 and if its mechanical S4 thats the most for sure way to tell cause anyone could slap S5 lights on an S4 and call it a day. I have friends with S4s that have done S5 conversions but still have the S4 block. form the outside it looks like an S5 but theyre really not. so anyways check the OIL METERING PUMP tell them you want a pic.
this is the one i was looking for...
The only way I knew for sure was by looking at the MAF but it’s kinda hard to ask someone to take a picture of that with the air filter box on the way and all
thankxx
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 10:55 AM
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Heres a picture of the S4 intake and the linkage for the mechanical OMP (circled in red). If that is there then its an s4 for sure. Its possible that they could have removed the OMP but pretty unlikely. Also, thats what an s4 intake looks like, so if you see that its an s4.
Or you could ask them to look in the door jam for the build date. That should give you a good idea as to the model year.
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 11:03 AM
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well form the pictures, just use everyone elses descriptions, the tail lights, embossed bumper, etc... then when you go to look at it look at the AFM and the OMP and that should tell you ifits S5 or S4
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Sideways7
Heres a picture of the S4 intake and the linkage for the mechanical OMP (circled in red). If that is there then its an s4 for sure. Its possible that they could have removed the OMP but pretty unlikely. Also, thats what an s4 intake looks like, so if you see that its an s4.
Or you could ask them to look in the door jam for the build date. That should give you a good idea as to the model year.
thanks, but where's the picture ???
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 11:58 AM
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haha thats what i said...
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 03:32 PM
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not meaning to thread jack, but is there any other visual differences on the motor, other then the OMP, to distinguish if its a s4 or s5?
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 05:48 PM
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possibly UIM and if you see electircal wires by the strut towers than its a GXL
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 06:56 PM
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yeah the AFM and i guess you could tell cause an S5 TMIC says "Roatary Turbo With Intercooler" and the S4 says something different but the OMP and AFM are the best ways beacuse someone could just put and S5 TMIC on an S4 or vice versa.
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Old Apr 20, 2006 | 08:11 PM
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yeah my friend bought a 7 and we were all convinced it was s4 but we found out the guy switched his s5 tails to s4 !!
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Old Apr 21, 2006 | 09:20 AM
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Tell them to send you/take a picture of the VIN number.

What does the VIN number mean/break down??

The North American Vehicle Identification Number breaks down like this:

RX-7 86-88 (8/85 - 12/88)
JM1 FC 33 1 * G 0 ######
JM1= Mazda Passenger Car
FC = RX7 Series
33= Coupe
35= Convertible
1= 1308cc 13B rotary non-turbo
2= 1308cc 13B rotary turbo
*= Check Digit
G= 1986
H= 1987
J= 1988
0= Hiroshima Plant
######= Serial Number


RX-7 89-91 (12/88 - 7/91)
JM1 FC 331 * K 0 ######
JM1= Mazda Passenger Car
FC= RX7 Coupe
33= Coupe
35= Convertible
1= 1308cc rotary non-turbo
2= 1308cc rotary turbo
331= Coupe w/auto shoulder belt
332= Coupe Turbo w/auto shoulder belt
333= Coupe w/o auto shoulder belt
334= Coupe turbo w/o auto shoulder belt
351= Convertible w/o airbag
352= Convertible w/ airbag
*= Check Digit
K= 1989
L= 1990
M= 1991
0= Hiroshima Plant
######= Serial number


Build dates by serial number:
Model year-----Production Date----Serial Number
1986--------------8/85 - 6/86------100001-200000
1987--------------6/86 - 7/87------500001-600000
1988-------------7/87 - 12/88-----600001-700000
1989------------12/88 - 12/89-----700001-800000
1990------------12/89 - 11-90-----800001-900000
1991--------------8/90 - 7/91------900001-950000
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fc, s4, s5




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