Regards acual benefits of having a S5 vs S4.

I want cover a few things I discovered about the FC's I thought I should share. The first topic isn't exclusivly Rx7 related but generaly about weight and handling. I conducted some research and found that a stock 89 S5 Turbo weights 2,987 lbs. (Manual) and a stock 88 S4 Turbo is 2,850 lbs. (also manual) My question is, how much of a difference in handling does the 137 extra pounds (about 5% in weight decrease) acually make? (Also an 88 NA S4 GTU weight 175 lbs less than the same model but S5.) The S5 is obviously more powerful with a HP : Weight ratio of 15.239 vs 15.573 (for the turbo) but is it acually worth it to have S5 rotors etc, installed on a previously S4 motor if the increase is only 18 more Hp and 13 more torque. With the cost of adding the new rotors an intake, headers, and tuning could probably get very close or better than that and cost alot less. Lastly, is there any research/evidence that suggests the apex seals of an S4 break more often than a S5 or the other way around, does one redline more reliably than the other? If anyone has any thoughts I'd like to know.
Also like I say every time I post, I'm new to this and the only way I can talk to people about FC's or even cars in general is through this forum so if I have an error in the post please try not to flame the crap outa. Just correct me.

 

Put it simplily, the extra wieght is the same as having your buddy in the passengers seat. While in turbo form, this does not mean much, but in a non turbo it is noticeable for many better expereinced drivers.

But the bigger thing to look at when comparing the two Turbo models, is that the S4 models have a more in-touch/elemental suspension, while the S5 models have a suspension calibrated with reduced road feel and increased comfort. That suspension difference will be more noticeable than the wieght. If you really had the option of buying either car, you would want to drive them both and decide which fit your driving style better

And the apex seals are the same between S4 and S5 models. Only S6 and later models have a different design.

 

what year is S6?

 

FD- 92-96 in Japan, 93-95 in USA

 

I figured. Do we call 97-99 a S7?

 

3rd gen, 93-95 in the US, I think they were still making them in 99 in Jap.

 

Yep, and 00-02 was S8

 

What car was 00 and 02? I thought they only went to 3rd gen till 99 and then rx8

 

FE came out in 03

 

03 FE. Are you refering to RX-8 SE3P?
I am familur with 79 to 99 as rx7 and then 03 being SE3P.

What car am I missing? Any pics of it?

 

lets get back on the subject!! im curious about this also what is the REAL advantage i meant there doesnt really seem to be a performance advantage 137lbs for 18lbs of torque

 

S5 has no TS and uses a V in the manifold to spool turbo. S5 has higher compreshion. S5 uses 2 TPS's an electric omp a different MAF a little less stupid computer, round guages smaller TAC round tail lights and if you get a GTUS you get 4:33 gears in the rear. No air bleed on RAd and all teh things Icemark said.

 

VIN on the RX-8 is FE, not SE3P and since the RX-8 is the RX-7 replacement it is a FE.

SE3P is for the people that don't want to accept that the RX-8 is the RX-7/FD replacement.

 

and what part of this:
didn't you get???

There is no real advantage. The performance times are only marginally better. If you are trying to justify buying a S5 over a S4 for that, you are wasting your time.

But it doesn't matter. Do you have access to either a S4 or S5 turbo that you want to get??? Or is this some silly exercise to point out something?

 

ouch

 

Why does everyone always seem pissed off? When I posted this I was just trying to show that there was no real performance difference with either model and icemark, who has obviously already discovered that, further pointed it out. The real reason for the post was to see if I was missing any info that would have swayed the balance of one model being superior to the other simply out of curiousity, seems it is taken a bit to seriously.

 

Oh, and thank you for pointing out the difference in suspension. I learned something new.

 

Personally I think the S5 looks alittle better. Nicer bumper cover and moldings.I also like the round gauges better.Thats just my opinion though.

 

See this has been covered quite a few times... there are pluses and minuses to both models. And then sometimes the pluses on one might be minuses to others.

But regardless, maybe it would help if you said why are you trying to determine the difference? If you are trying to buy one, buy what you can find. You could wait 2 years to find a decent version of either that has not been all hacked up by some street racer kid. Toss in the fact that for a little money they can perform exactly the same, and it even further makes the whole thing a curiosity.

Maybe its something else??? Maybe you are writing the end all be all tale of the FC??? Who knows.

So the basics:

S4 Turbo Pluses:
lighter
suspension tighter; has better feel
handles better/is more tossible
Overall build quality of materials is better
Stock aero kit only on 88 model Turbo
Mechanical MOP
less Expensive
common Junk yard part availablity

S4 Turbo minuses:
less HP than S5
PD design requires replacement of PD every 100K miles
Some people don't like the tail lights or black bumper strips
Plastic radio surround often cracks with age
Cars often have higher miles than S5 versions.
Paint on 88 10thAE often flakes
Clutch Type LSD wears out
less quiet interior than S5 model

S5 Turbo Pluses:
More HP
Slightly faster
suspension softer/more forgiving
some people like the Tbird inspired taillights and painted body strips
stock aero kit
Turbo charger design
Electrical MOP
quieter interior
ECU

S5 Turbo minuses
Heavy
Mouse belts (on USA models)
electrical MOP
suspension softer/more forgiving
Rubber radio surround often bubbles and cracks underneith with age
Short cuts taken in build quailty to lower build cost
PD design requires replacement of PD and Main fuel rail every 100K miles
Tbird inspired tail lights
More expensive
Paint on all often flakes
Viscous LSD sometimes slow to engage.
Funky embossed Mazda logo in front bumper
Limited junk yard parts availablity

So see, they both have pluses and minuses, and sometimes the same thing that is a plus, might be a minus in someone elses eyes