Need some suggestions; S4/S5 exterior swap
 

I wanted some opinions on this. I'm doing body work on my car and I plan on installing the following: T2 hood, stock T2 wing, and aero mirrors, get the dents and rust out, and then paint. I also have grown fond of the s5 bumper over my s4, and I want to put that on. However, I know that the s5 had metal molding around the car, while my s4 has rubber molding. My question is, should I just buy the s5 bumper and replace the rest of my s4 molding with metal, or would it be better to buy all s5 exterior parts. If seeing the body issues currently on my car would help, you can see it all here: https://www.rx7club.com/build-threads-294/my-87-n-work-progress-995048/. I'm thinking it may be worth it more to replace the whole exterior instead of having to pay for repair work.

My main reason for asking, is because if I somehow find s5 molding to put on my car, I don't know how I can put it on and make it stay permanently. Buying an entire s5 exterior would be really expensive and unnecessary for me, because I would have to get them in good condition. Also, I really don't want to have to replace my doors. That is something I really don't want to have to do.

Some advice and suggestions would be very helpful.

You can remove/rip the clips off the s5 moldings... 90% of automotive door dingers and body moldings are held on with 3m double sided tape. Make sure the old is removed and surface is clean and retape them. I'll be doing this here in a couple days in my build thread if you need further clarification.

you can also use urethane adhesive and the double sides tape will gold it on until the urethane sets. then those puppies ain't going nowhere.

dont put a TII hood on an n/a

Is there some sort of performance reason, or just because you don't want me to? I'm going to eventually do a T2 swap, I would just like my entire body to be the same color when I do that.

as long as you have a reason for the hood ie: swap. but you didnt say that in your original post. in this case good idea

you can put a s5 bumper on s4 fenders, not a problem at all. I have done it twice.
You can put s4 bumper on a s5 car- again no problems I have done it.

and as mentioned you can put s5 moldings on a s4 car just using adhesive tape, no need for the clips which will most likely be broken already anyhow

+1 - you'll probably have a hard time finding perfect S5 doors & panels so i suggest working with what you have.

the s5 does not have metal mouldings...not sure where you heard that from

ok, hard plastic. As long as they aren't rubber.

I appreciate everything you guys have told me. I'm going to buy an S5 bumper, and an s4 rear bumper (just to replace the crack in mine) and then just swap all the moldings with S5 moldings.

it will look weird with all s5 mouldings except the rear bumper...i have an s5 rear bumper for $20 if you are interested

I'm going to replace the molding on the bumper as well. $20 is a good price, but what would the price be with shipping? I live in New Jersey

you cant replace the molding on the bumpers, they are molded in

Well it's a good thing you told me that. I would have wasted my money. Thanks

ya, the molding on bumpers is part of them, not like the doors and fenders.

well im a little late but i was think of doing the same thing lol. Good thing i found this i would have waste alot of money. Anywho here a link where you can buy new molding just in case someone reads this that wants to try anyway are replace the ones they have. http://www.mazdatrix.com/n-2.htm. ive heard good things about mazdatrix so it should be a perfect fit.

who cares the reason. Just rock the T2 hood. They look good. Ignore the haters that tell you to not do so.
Do what you want.
It also helps with under hood temperature.

Do it....Just do it!!!

I'll bet you can't substantiate that.

simple theory and physics.

Bet you can't prove me wrong.

Back to the simpler side.
Go grab a infrared digital thermometer at home depot. The under hood temps right when you pull over and open the hood differ by 16 degrees in my simple tests to satisfy my curiosity. Doesn't mean the engine itself runs cooler, but it does show that the engine bay is breathing better.

if anyone has ever seen a wind flow test on one of these cars, I saw video of one a few years ago.
The stock turbo hood is actually not even efficient over something like 40 miles an hour anyway. So we're not talking huge dramatic gains and advantages. Just a little extra air.

so what youre saying is you drove the same car, the same route for the same amount of time at the same speed with an N/A and T2 hood and took the temps? and the outside air temps were the same as well?

omg, who cares. t2 hood was designed so the top mount intercooler could get fresh air thats slightly cooler. it wasn't really "designed" to lower ambient air temps in the bay but has that effect somewhat since air moves in and around the bay as well.

If you think a t2 hood looks cool, run it. if you are na, who cares. The majority of the general public thinks all the hood scoops, bodykits, big wheels, and low stance is stupid and don't care. so, why do any of us care what other actual enthusiasts think? its our cars and we do what we want. the point is to be unique yet most of us copy what everyone else is doing. moral of the story right there.

I had no idea there was a debate going on here. But thanks, I believe what you say. It IS my car, and really, no matter what I do, someone is going to not like something. All that matters is that I do.

I second that notion. HERE HERE!!!

yes I did. :nod: Same speed, same rpm. Same everything. Very simple to do. not rocket science.