Difference between S4 and S5 models?
 

Hi, RX7club. I am looking to get an FC TII but can someone please tell me whats the difference between the two besides the tailights? :scratch:

- Externally, they have different tail lights, front & rear fascias, and side trim/molding.
- There are slight differences in the interior, and US-spec S5s came with automatic seat belts.
- The S5 engines have a slightly higher compression ratio, as well as different intake manifolds between N/A models and different turbos between TII models. S4s have a mechanical OMP and S5s have an electronic one.
- The engine-related wiring and electronics are substantially different between S4s and S5s.

I believe this information is all in the FAQ.

The S5's have more/thicker impact bars in the doors, slightly thicker body metal, a more common thread on the shifter, better interior trim [rubberized plastics that don't break anywhere near as often], NA S5s have an extra 1K before redline, S5 Turbo models have a viscous LSD instead of a clutch-type [clutch-type is more desirable, and can be swapped in], Factory fog lights, nicer aero mirrors, inferior temp gauges [by the time the S5 one moves past half way it's already too hot], heavier duty wiper switch relay..

the series 4 because of its better styling was capable of flying as well as melting panties of beautiful women, any other questions?

Yes...
How high did it fly...
And the panty melting bit... is that cotton exclusive or does it work for all fabrics??

Although this thread comes up all the time, you can't blame a new guy for asking because the search function excludes the terms "S4" and "S5" because they're too common.

I agree with all the differences mentioned above except one: I've never heard that the wiper switch relays were more substantial in S5 vs. S4. Many S5 cars experience the same wiper switch failures that S4s do. Note that the superior rubberized plastics in the S5 interior are pretty much limited to the radio surround and shifter surround bezels. The dash demister vents, door vents, passenger side kick panel, rear speaker grilles, etc. are all just about as brittle as the equivalent S4 parts. You can swap the two rubberized pieces from an S5 into an S4.

Many of the differences amount to styling changes: trim, taillights, paint choices, wheels, interior fabrics and colors. Some are functional: different types of LSD, slightly higher horsepower levels in S5 vs. S4, slightly heavier weight in S5 vs. S4, 4-lug cars only available in S4, airbag in 90-91 'Vert, none in '88 (some '89s did have it, I believe). Really there are too many differences to list. I've owned both and I'm still discovering differences.

When shopping for a TII, you'll probably find far more S4s than S5s. This is because S4 cars outsold S5s by a wide margin. This is partly because sports cars usually sell best when their designs are fresh, and partly because the Miata probably stole some buyers away from the RX-7. For whatever reason, S5 TIIs are rarer than S4s.

Thanks guys but I think I made up my mind. the 1990 S5 TII will have to do for me, thats if I get lucky

There is a sticky at the very top of the 2nd Gen section titled:

"Specifications: What did the 2nd Generation RX-7 come w/. Options & standard features'.


Read the FAQ's youngling, read the FAQ's.

And before you ask your next question, might I offer this link to a very helpful tool to help with your education:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...icah-gif-1.gif

This guy has said all that needs to be said.







s4 ftw!

I believe that I had read that on Icemark's site back when it was still online.. That he offered an upgrade to the S5 heavier duty relay when rebuilding S4 wiper switches.

I forgot to make the distinction about the stereo surround/shifter surround.

And what's all this about S4s' super amazing looks? I love my S4 for sure, but I'd say S5 easily looks better [if for nothing other than the much more aggressive nosecone and the round tail lights]

how high? c'mon, thats like the how fast have you gone question, figure it out on your own. on the panties, not cotton specific, any panties will immediatly melt.

Maybe you're right about this. But I remember participating in a wiper switch thread a few years back in which I suggested this same notion and was shot down. I had a '90 GTU that I owned from 1995-2007 and the wiper switch worked perfectly right until the car was parted out. On the other hand, my "new" S4 car with much lower mileage had a bad wiper switch. Who knows...

There's some good detailed answers to be found here:

http://fc3spro.com/TECH/FAQ/faq.html

Good luck finding an S5 Turbo for sale, BTW.

qft

I'm assuming from this comment:

...that the OP was looking at a particular car. If he's planning to just go out and find a 1990 TII, I agree it may take him a long while to find a nice one. To the OP, there is really no reason to prefer a 1990 to a 1989 or 1991 you know. If you have your heart set on an S5, you need to consider '89s because they were the biggest selling S5 model year.

I do like the S5 tail lights, but I think the S4 otherwise looks much better than the S5. An S4 with a lip, some side skirts, S5 tails, nice wheels, and a good paint job always looks bad ass.

RE: at what "Need RX7" said
 

So with this being said and everything else in this thread, could I use a S4 turbo radiator in my S5 Turbo II? I should be able too right?

I believe they are slightly different. You could get it to fit but it would take some modding

Oh really? Okay thanks, I'll just try to find a S5 one then.