I need to get the seat covers off some 2nd gen seats. I need to know if there is a difference between the S4 and S5 seats. For an example the highback base model S4 seat looks to be the same as the S5 GTU seat. The same goes for the S4 GXL and the S5 GXL with a headrest. Another example is the TII seat of both generations that I call the highback sport seat. I don't care if the design on the seat is different as long as the pattern(how its sewn together) is the same.

What am I doing with these different seats? I'm having some leather seat covers made. Notice my screen name

 

Hey, don't forget about us 'vert owners too- we need 'em with the hammerhead headrests vented for speakers!!!

Raggies need love too!!!

 

Please include the verts in my question also. I have traded my 87 Honda Civic Si for a non-running(electrical problem) 91 vert. I'm gonna use one of those seats along with what I have to buy for my business.

 

In case you're still interested. From what I can tell there is no difference between the S4 and S5 seats. S4 base are the same as S5 GTU. The S4 GXL same as S5 GXL, etc. On the convertible seats it seems that they are the same as well as long as they have the built in speakers. I saw one pic of an '88 vert that had regular headrests, and I couldn't tell if those seats were the same as any others. I have been really interested in replacement seat covers, but due to the varying styles in RX7 seats, I have been unsure about ordering a pair since I want them to fit perfectly. (I have an 86 GXL) Anyway hope this helps if you still need it.

 

Keep us posted, plenty of vert owners looking for seat covers-the sun kills leather fast.

 

t2 seats are definitely different than GXL seats, and I Certainly would like some new skins for my baby

 

There are three different types of seats for each series. They all had different foam/functions.

There is the S4 base found in the Base, Luxury, Sports.

There is the GXL style, found in the GXL and 'verts (verts with head rest speakers got a different head rest of course).

And there is the T2 style, found in the 88 GTU and Turbo models.

The 89-91 seats had a different T2 style (found on the Turbo and GTUs models) and a different GXL style (the side bolsters are different) as well as slightly larger bolsters and less buttock padding on the base 89-90 GTU seat.

So each of the three seat models and series had different foam and shape to the seats.

 

i know my s4 doesnt have the adjustable head rest thingy i have seen, i dont know if that was an option or if its different between s4 and s5 though.

 

Only the GXL style seats found on the GXL and 'verts had adjustable head rests

 

Hey Icemark are you sure that the S4, S5 seats are that different? From what I can tell they look the same as far as the structural shape and foam goes. The only difference I can see is what would look like differences in how the upholstery is padded, which would come off if one were to put the new covers on (assuming they are OEM style covers).

If anyone can double check this for sure, that would be good. Because I doubt anyone would want to produce covers that only worked for a very limited number of cars.

 

Its the foam padding and tracks that are different between the series. It is very easy to tell the differences if you just compare the seats.

And normally the foam wouldn't be replaced when changing seat coveres, unless it was damaged. Now if he was making a kit that replaced the foam as well as the seat cover...

 

leather seats in the haystack color of the FD would be tight

 

Here:

S4 Turbo/GTU seat, note the currved lower bolsters and height of the middle padding comparied to the head rest.


Now look at the S5 Turbo seat. Notice how the bolsters for both the top and bottom sections are almost straight, with none of the real curves that the S4 seats have, and how low the middle section is under the head rest comparied to the S4 version:

 

Okay, I can see how the lower side bolsters are different. But the middle padding is what I was talking about when I was saying it would come off with the upholstery. It looks to me like the middle pads are stiched with the upholstery rather than being part of the main seat foam. For example, if you were to pull on the upholstery there, it would pull that padding with it, rather than seperate from it. But in any case, I can see that the differences in side bolsters could keep one set of upholstery from fitting perfectly to the other. But then again, they are so close, perhaps a person could make it work either way by either trimming foam or adding it.