I've searched and searched and found nothing that helped me. Today I walked out to my car and one of the lenses was broken. I would like to convert to JDM taillights, and from what I can tell, first I'd have to convert to a Series 5 setup, since I own a 1988 RX7. What is involved in this conversion?

 

S5 lights are not "JDM". All S5 RX-7s from anywhere in the world had the round tail lights.

Writeup: http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/taillights.htm

 

Thank you so much! While waiting for this post to be approved I realized that yes, the Series 5 lights are the same worldwide. At first I thought that the Japanese-spec lenses were darker but it was just differences in the reference photos I was looking at. Thank you for posting the link, RotaryRocket88!

 

Some of the round taillights are different actually. They have a clear cover rather than the waffle-type pattern on the plastic. Check out eriksseven's car here: Those are "euro" tails.
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ail+light+euro

 

^ Those are "modernized" S5 tail lights. Eriksseven even has a thread about it here: https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/s5-taillights-%2Amodernized%2A-pics-392954/. There were not like that stock; they diffusers on the inside were removed.

 

ohh okay.. sorry about that I have seen a couple cars like that so I thought it was available somewhere

 

Actually there are two types of S5 tail lights... The long ones and the short ones.
In cars with the short ones, the little round holes for the fog lamps are missing. So if planning to install the long ones, you need to drill them.

 

Aren't those coupe vs. convertible taillights?

 

If not convertible lights, I'm assuming you're talking about a European variation. The brake/turn signal lights are the same around the world, but there are differences with backup lights & license plate holders in certain countries.

 

Yeah, you're correct! This difference is found on european RX-7s...
I think I'll go JDM/American. I already got the bumper on. The only thing that holds me back is the drilling...

 

Just be careful. You need to grind or bend part of the panel anyways, what's a couple of holes? Just take your time and do it right and it should work out fine.

 

There are also two really big holes that should be drilled (more than an inch in diameter) apart from the small ones... Oh well, it's just a matter of will. I'll finally decide and go ahead cut away a piece of my beloved RX-7... Guts required.

 

If you want to go back to stock, you can always weld those pieces back.

 

You're right! Thanx for the help! This makes my choice easier! Long tail lights rule! Folded license plate for the way!