MDD0101

ive been searching for a TII for a long time and have pretty much been set on an s5, the only problem is im having the hardest time finding one near me and in my price range. its a lot easier to find s4s and im starting to think i should just get one..

which would u rather have an s4 or s5 and why? i know theres probly a few s4 vs s5 threads but they are hard to find since the search engine doesnt pick up "s4" or "s5"

lets do some pros and cons

DarkKnightFC

My S4 doesn't have powersteering or ABS, I like that, it probably weighs a little less. And you can get the Rtek chip for S4's

89gt-x

cosmetically, I personally like the black interior option on s5's...as well as the trim, guage cluster, climate controls, tails... although i really like the red on grey, black on grey s4's
and also i favor the s5 trim and moldings over the s4...I also dont really like the s4 wheels...any of them. IMHO

Parts seem to always be cheaper for s4's rather than s5's...ie s5 turbo TPS...mine is totalled and ive bought one from the forum and one off ebay and they were both shot too, darn the luck..

Good luck on your s5 TII find, i found mine in a field stripped naked and got it for 700 bucks, months of searching for all the OEM factory tII parts, 3300 bucks worth of paint, a rebuild from kevin landers and she runs/looks like a champ...if i had it all to do over again, id buy a s5 gtu and turbo it...

thats my $.02
-Brad

atleast your buying an rx7 and not a 5.0

MDD0101

i agree with the black interiors on the S5s..i really like them. cosmetically most think the s5s are way nicer, including me..and thats whats still fueling my search. my dream find would be a mint s5 with black leather interior thats not running so i can get it for cheaper.

Madrx7racer

I'd pick S5............they were made with cheaper parts( which CAN be replaced with sturdier S4 parts) but the tech advances, while they ARE negligible, are a bit better....

what do you want your car for?
1. to look pretty?
2. handle like a train on tracks?
3. power monster?
4. a nice balanced ride?
5. the classic 80's look?

the S4 has all these qualities but the S5 looks better than the S4 when it comes to the stock cosmetics.

I say you get an S4 TII modify it until you reach your power and handling goals and then replace the interior with the black S5 interior and S5 exterior IF you really dislike the S4.

MDD0101

i want a street driveable TII in the range of 350-450hp. i would rahter have the s5 interior and s5 exterior.

ideally i would love to eventually have some infini seats, wheels, and window visors but thats a whole nother phase

Madrx7racer

well if you ONLY want the interior and exterior then just get an S4 and do what I posted above.........I'd forget the infini seats and wheel (overpriced and you can get better stuff for less) and the visors.....well they are aesthetics so it doesn't matter

MDD0101

well what would saay is a better overall platform to start with for someone just looking for power

89gt-x

If you didnt want to swap the drive train, then TII, if you had no problem swapping the drivetrain, then id find a clean s5 NA, you said black on black (if you find one for reasonable, tell me!!! lol ) swap the drive train, drive it NA untill you get engine built and ready to go...if you like me, then you arent going to want to drive then car until the serious mods are done...ie fuel system, turbo setup, intercooler setup etc etc...like said 350-450 hp is going to take serious modification and i personally dont like saving up, putting one peice on, driving for a couple weeks, saving up, putting the next piece on, i like to get everything together, install all at once, and get the bugs worked out all at the same time rather than over a period of time...
that is if your willing to swap drive trains and engines...

you definately will have to swap drive trains on an NA, and if you end up buying a TII, i would suggest a good rebuild, to start your build with...like i said, you will HAVE to do extensive mods to reach your goal of 350-450 hp..

lupin

iTrader: (3)

s4 engine with s5 intakes

no electric omp for me

NOPR

the S5 engine is 3864324632874 times better than the S4 engine both n/a and turbo.
lighter rotors, higher compression rotors, thicker cast plates, better manifolds, VDI, plus theres the pedal to he floor fuel cut for flooding.

however, S4 has a better suspension and other advantages. metal endlinks, replaceable balljoints, better LSD (easier to change to aftermarket also). also, the S4 has the manual seatbelts, and lighter dashboard.

so what do you do!? you get an S4 and swap in an S5 engine with a standalone! then swap in black interior pieces if you want. best of both worlds.

xUnKnOwNx

can i put in a s5 engine on the 10th ae? would anything needs to be changed?

MDD0101

id just love for a nice s5 to come along

fcdrifter13

S4 tails for life yo

gxl90rx7

iTrader: (1)

S4 all the way.

From what ive read, the S4's were generally better built, lighter, and slightly more reliable. S4's have manual seatbelts, clutch-type LSD, simpler intake system, The only thing S5's had over teh S4's from the factory was better looks/styling and slightly more power. And all the S5 trim pieces can be easily swapped to an S4, ive done it with my TII.

If youre looking a TII, teh S4 TII has lower compression rotors, which can safely handle more boost, as well as have compatibility with the RTEK ecu, which gives you the most bang for buck fuel/timing control.

ProjectR13B

iTrader: (1)

S4s are lighter, S5s look better and have a little more power, but 18.63 to 18.00 isnt much of a difference when it comes to a power to weight ratio between my 88 gxl and my 90 gxl. i do like the S4 seat belts aswell, but the automatic ones are on recall for the S5 so all you have to do is take it to a mazda dealership if they dont work.

MDD0101

more more

bacek

i have a 87t2 and if i had to do it over again i would go with an s5... but i like being able to run my car hard and not worry too much about keeping it that good looking... i plan to get a s5 vert for the looks and use my s4t2 for my speed addiction

SGesel

I have an 88GXL, and I love my S4. I like the tail lights so much better than the S5 lights..... especially at night. I guess when you have an S4 you love it, and if you have an S5 you love it the same........

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

I've got a base s4 with a 5-lug conversion with turbo brakes and LSD. I'm swapping in an s5 rotating assembly and intake assembly, too, so itll have the best of both worlds (performance wise). If you ever saw my car you would know I don't care about looks.
Also, the s5 turbo rotors' higher compression allows more power with a given boost and a bit less lag, not to mention the improvements to the s5's turbo itself.

turbo80cid

done...10AE with S5 engine and trans w/Microtech

Whizbang

i love my S4's, cheaper, better quality, cheaper...less complicated.

mort2002

iTrader: (1)

i ahd a base 88 se and now i have a s5 TII and i love the s5 so much more. i did repace the rear end in my turbo II for a s4 unit but that is all i would ever want from the s4. and im getting my seatbelts fixed too .. of course they broke and the dealership finally agreed to order the parts. oh yea nd im getting my hybrid turbo set up today for it.. very good day for my 7 lol. but the only way i would ever go back to an s4 is for a car that i could cut up a little and not worry, if that makes sence.