Decisions.....S4 vs. S5
 

I'm looking to pick up an FC strictly for track use. No racing, yet, but for DE's. Wanted to get opinions from you more experienced racers.

I've been looking at some cars, and am kinda favoring 2.

1) '88 SE w/roof, 4 lugs, just under 200K, all stock, comp ~110 on both rotors, bad clutch. $1200

2) '90 GTU w/everything from a GTUs....tranny, rear end, brakes, aluminum hood, & has manual rack. 140K chassis and 60K motor....but comp was ~70 on the front rotor and ~85 on the rear. $3000

My question is which would be a better starting point?
Which, for a wannabe backyard mechanic, would be easier to track prep?
Would the cost/time/ease to convert the 88 suspension/brakes/rear end be smarter then the probably rebuild on the 90?
Is the difference in price enough to make up for the differences in setup?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

s4, lighter, and you can put better brakes and everything cheaper than a rebuild.

The GTUs is the most desirable NA, period.

It sounds like its in much better shape too, so it'll offer you far fewer problems. It'll take a bunch of work and more than the price difference to get the S4 to have the same brakes, a comperable rear end, the same power, etc. If it's a 200k engine, then I would worry about tracking it, it's very old for a rotary (would you take a 90 year old base jumping?).

In the end the 90 will be better, the shells weight the same, so the weight issue is non-existant for a full track car, they can both be made to weigh the same, but the 90 already has the better engine, brakes, rear end, and so on.

I'd get the 90, and then drive it like it is while I save up for a nice rebuild with a street port. A rebuild can be had for $1500.

dude.. this is a no brainer.. get the SE! I see your dilemma but personally I would want the one with a good motor.. just make SURE it's good.. 200k is high. With the money you save you can do the swaps and add all the suspension goodies.. which would easier in your back yard than rebuilding the motor. Plus, the 88 SE is one of the lightest FC's which is just what you want in a track car.. +1 for the s4

I'm with Black91

Wow, split decision! Thanks for the replies guys. I'm really on the fence on this one. I've been trying to do A LOT of research and end up in pretty much in the same place....undecided. I guess whichever way I go could encounter pluses and minuses regardless.

Please keep the suggestions coming.

If either one has structural rust, walk away.

I'll make sure to double check them. I'm pretty sure the '90 came somewhere on the East coast, can't quite remember if it was from a "snowy" state. And I'm not sure about the '88. Thanks for the heads up, I'll be sure to check that out.

for the price get the se and grab the 4 piston front and vented rear brakes from pick and pull. You get the 88 up to the same spec as the 90 for much less and relatively little effort

AARRGGGHHH!!!!!

Please let's kill this one.

The S4 and S5 shells effectively weigh the same. All the accessories are what added the weight. Since you are most likely gutting a track car, the stock S4/S5 weight difference is a non-issue.

Best shell for a track car is a rust-free car with no runroof. You need to source an aluminum hood in addition.

The S5 has the advantage of higher compression rotors and a better intake tract.

_________________
-bill rankin
'94 FD Blk&Tan PEP
'91 FC Red&Blk track car
'04 Ford Tow Vehicle
'05 Mortgage

i say get the s4... since it costs lessyou can get a set of coilovers with teh money you save