Hi all,
First off thanks for any help in advance, I really appreciate it.

Anyways, I got interested in FC's and started lurking here and researching and whatnot about 2 years ago, but at the time I was still in school and a car was just not in the budget, now I can justify buying a car and before I make any decisions I will regret I wanted to ask if an FC is the right candidate. Ok so I tried searching this forum but didn't find anything, so if anyone has any useful links please post or just answer yourself, thanks alot.

1) Just how reliable is a FC? I'm looking at an 87 and an 89 both N/A so an S4 and S5

2) Just how long can the apex seals last? What I'm worried about is that the cars I've seen are 160 000kms + on the original motor, is there life left?

3) How hard are they to maintain?

Thanks again for any help!

 

1) Reliable if it was maintained well

2) Depends on how it was maintained and driven

3) Not hard.

 

1) Personally I'd get the S5 over an S4.

2) My car has 215,000kms on the original N/A engine, and it's still running.

3) Not hard, they're just like every other car, except for a few small differences.

 

Ex-eg is right but i know some ppl that reliable is GREAT they have to do realy no work but i know some ppl that its one thing after the other but ill tell u one thing you will fall in love with Your car soon as u start driving and its well worth it.
1) For me Good
2)All on how you drive
3)to other cars its cake walk most things that do go bad normaly are right there.

 

Thanks alot for the quick replies! Really appreciate it, I hope to soon say I have one!!

 

Keep in mind that this is a 20+ year old car. Everything will not work perfectly. So be prepared for headaches and to spend some dough.

 

Is there a huge difference other then horsepower, rotors, compression and looks between the S4 and S5? Like if I had to settle for an S4 would you consider it to still be a good choice? Thanks again

 

Yes I understand that, I was hoping to spend the time restoring it, in a sense, just really making it clean again, but as a overall choice I was concerned as to whether or not it would be a good one. Thanks

 

Once you learn a little bit about the car there pretty easy to maintain.

 

Some (like myself) actually prefer S4 over S5.

 

Is there a particular reason why you prefer it?

 

1) Just how reliable is a FC? I'm looking at an 87 and an 89 both N/A so an S4 and S5

A) Just as how heavy your foot is and how your driving is will determine the life of the fc

2) Just how long can the apex seals last? What I'm worried about is that the cars I've seen are 160 000kms + on the original motor, is there life left?

A) This is an up in the air question...with that many KM anything could happen but keeping up on regular maitnance and taking care of the car you would be surprised

3) How hard are they to maintain?

A)Just like a honda...LOL

 

Much simpler then an S5

 

Ok thanks again, much appreciated!

 

I have an S4 and have replaced most parts over the years. If its been well maintained & driven properly either choice would be fine. I would opt for the s5 if all things were equal...

Its not as old and has a few upgraded features... although some can say that there are some parts upgraded that were more prone to failure or were more of a pain to deal with. I have an S4 with an s5 manifold. So my example is not the same as yours. The S4 is a more simple setup with more mechanical systems being changed to electrical with the S5. The S5 has higher compression & lighter rotating mass than the S4 as well as a better, multi stage intake manifold. However the Oil Metering Pump was changed to an electric model in the S5. Some people seem to have troubles with this component shorting out, where as the S4 people have a mechanical pump mechanism that appears to be a little more less prone to failure. The problem is that when an S5 OMP fails the computer has a fit & goes into limp mode where as a mechanical S4 OMP just fails & no one knows any different. Everything fails or wears out eventually. The S5 is just a little more complex but has higher stock HP.

Ramses666

 

Ramses666, Thanks for your in depth explanation, really makes the pros and cons clear.

 

You will find how-to-buy guides in the FAQ.

Here's mine: http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/buy1.htm

 

^^^ Thanks alot, just had a look there, very helpful.