Mazda Rotary Club

Cars by Model Type => 2nd generation RX-7's => Topic started by: Kamatari on February 12, 2011, 01:02:52 PM

Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 12, 2011, 01:02:52 PM
Hey guys, theres an 89 rx7 that im looking at getting which ive been told is the s5 non turbo... the only thing is, i believe the s5 is meant to have colour coded trims whereas this car has black trims....

Was the an option to get the s5 with black trims or was it only colour coded?
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: 1990_fc3s_t2 on February 12, 2011, 02:45:08 PM
Is this that red one on ebay?
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 12, 2011, 02:56:14 PM
If were thinking of the same one then yea,  says its an s5 and its an 89 but its got the black trim instead of a colour coded one?
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: 1990_fc3s_t2 on February 12, 2011, 04:01:08 PM
Seems to have gone now but it looked like my old one, the front bumper is S4 but the car is S5. not exactly sure why perhaps someone will chime in with a definative answer.
Maybe only turbo models have colour coded body strips?
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: dthebuk on February 12, 2011, 04:18:33 PM
another way to tell is to look at the interior and lights etc.

if you can post some pics up a load of us could help
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 12, 2011, 04:24:36 PM
I was thinking maybe it was only the turbo that might of had them,  is there much difference between the s4 and s5 front bumper?
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: 1990_fc3s_t2 on February 12, 2011, 04:59:15 PM
Here\'s Skifs old car this has the S4 front bumper

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2401141.htm

Here\'s an S5 bumper.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2010415.htm
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 12, 2011, 06:46:02 PM
so there isn\'t a massive difference as such just the s4 looking a bit square/flat, a picture of the car from the auction is:

(http://i.ebayimg.com/23/%21CE-+dp%21CGk%7E$%28KGrHqJ,%21i4E1MFUEk0MBNTtMEWyyQ%7E%7E_12.JPG)
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Brett on February 12, 2011, 09:46:26 PM
There never was an S5 egi in the UK... All we got was the bigger spoiler and an updated interior.
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 13, 2011, 12:03:35 AM
So does that mean the uk didnt get a proper non turbo s5? would that put this \'89 as just an s4?
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Skifledanabit on February 13, 2011, 03:53:59 AM
all UK EGis had black bump strips, only the TII\'s had colour coded, unless someone painted/stuck some colour coded ones on their EGi

I miss my old FC... sometimes...

I believe they only made one version of the EGi, as it was primarily only introduced because of the fuel crisis and people couldnt afford turbo cars, sooo... an EGi is an EGi, I dont think there is an S4/S5 version, if there were, there were only very slight changes in styling.
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Brett on February 13, 2011, 08:36:11 AM
Correct, UK cars got a minor cosmetic update and power steering as a default, but no power upgrade to 160bhp. However, all other aspects of the car were to the highest spec.

:wave
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 13, 2011, 08:42:09 AM
ahh thats rubbish then :p is there much that can be done to increase power without dropping a TII engine in it?
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Brett on February 13, 2011, 09:57:24 AM
Go for a full dual header system with no silencers, that will release about 25bhp...  You can\'t get much more without opening the ports up... (go on, give it a proper porting!)

:Giggle
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 14, 2011, 01:38:55 AM
ooer ;) ill have a look into opening up the ports :)

Also, how much should road tax be for the 89 rx7? looking online every where says it should be about £125 for a year? but it looks like its been costing around £205+ ?
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: no_boingers on February 14, 2011, 07:37:56 AM
oh dear... that old chestnut... I\'ll start... ;)

It should be £205.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_10012524
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: no_boingers on February 14, 2011, 08:05:21 AM
Essentially you pay according to the "cc" value written on your V5.

Basically, the rotary engine has a displacement of about 1250cc (I forget from memory the exact numbers for the 12A/13B engine).  DVLA then apply a made-up "multiplcation factor" to allow for the fact that we get 2 bangs per revolution rather than 1 with the otto cycle engine.  Hence the figure of 2200-2600 engine capacity for various RX7s.

This of course puts it in the >1300cc band for road tax.  Some people argued this was wrong and have successfully got their V5 amended to say 1250cc rather than 2600c and are therefore paying only £125.  (They had to get a formal letter from Mazda UK saying the car was registered wrongly and was actually only 1250cc).  However DVLA got wise to this ruse a few years ago and have stopped accepting any new V5 "corrections" of this sort.

There is the principle of course that you pay according to the power output of the engine in which case all RX\'s should be paying £205 (or more!!).  The corollary is that road tax is a scam and it shouldn\'t be a "tax on power" and we should all be paying £125 (or less!).
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Brett on February 14, 2011, 08:33:41 AM
*cough*  1308cc *cough*

However, if the GOVT decided 30 years ago to tax at 1.8x and 2x capacity (12a & 13B respectively) then you had better pay it... I can forsee a time when the powers that be revisit the case and start claiming back taxes from those who have re-registered the cars as a lower cc....
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: no_boingers on February 14, 2011, 08:41:31 AM
:) ;)

Indeed - I think we should keep a low profile for the benefit of those *ahem* lucky people  *grrrr* who have managed to get reduced tax.  As you say - shout too loud and the DVLA will rescind all the rulings and try and claim back tax!
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 14, 2011, 10:39:15 AM
fair enough, sure all the websites that allow you to check how much tax is going to cost should be changed/updated as every where just shows the lower price which is quite confusing!

thanks guys!

Now to try and get some information on porting :P
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Brett on February 14, 2011, 10:52:04 AM
Here you go!

http://www.rotaryengineillustrated.com/porting/15.html
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Skifledanabit on February 14, 2011, 12:09:34 PM
6 months = £112.75 tax
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 16, 2011, 01:20:15 AM
Next question :)

The rear wiper doesnt seem to be working right, the motor works and theres power going to the connecter but when you try and operate it with the switch nothing happens but the washer jets work, anyone got any ideas about this?

I\'ve also got an idling question but ill post that another time ;)
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Skifledanabit on February 16, 2011, 02:03:15 AM
checked the inside of it? see if the motor is engaging the wiper arm?
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: dthebuk on February 16, 2011, 04:06:14 PM
aha an s4.5

is the idle problem something to do with it hunting on warm up? common one that
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 16, 2011, 04:41:11 PM
even after it warms up it still idles high but seems to run a little rich..

next question.. does anyone know where i will find the gear stick(shifter) lower bush?
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: 1990_fc3s_t2 on February 16, 2011, 05:10:11 PM
So 1986 to 1988 is series 4 but anything 1989 to 1991 is series 5.
Ive come to the conclusion all s5 n/a\'s have a s4 front bumpers but as far as i know or can think of at mo thats the only thing they share? Maybe has something to do with there being no n/a cars built for japan? who knows, Wonder if the yank n/a\'s are the same? Like they have n/a verts where all ours are t2\'s. :confused:

For your shifter bush maybe give clive a bell or failing that your mazda dealer or mazdatrix in the USA. http://www.mazdatrix.com/index.htm
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 16, 2011, 05:24:26 PM
hmm clive? im still quite new so if you don\'t mind me asking..who\'s that?

as for the mazda garages, ive found one and they said its a 2.50 part but need to pop down to put it on order, phoned another and they said which bit as theres 5 parts :S i need to get hold of a manual or something haha
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: 1990_fc3s_t2 on February 16, 2011, 05:42:41 PM
Clive\'s the daddy! him and lisa gave birth to the club about 10 years ago i think. He also runs mazda rotary parts Mazda Rotary Parts, Trusted supplier of Mazda RX-8 & RX-7 Performance, OEM & Race Parts, supplying Rotary owners across the World. (http://www.mazdarotaryparts.com/)

As for manuals ive got a haynes thats pretty good, saw one on ebay the other day quite cheap. Links to the factory sevice manual can be found here. :Thumbs-up http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?p=5131218#post5131218

EDIT: TeamFC3S.org website is being overhauled. Website down atm.
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: dthebuk on February 16, 2011, 07:44:14 PM
Quote from: 1990_fc3s_t2;743225So 1986 to 1988 is series 4 but anything 1989 to 1991 is series 5.
Ive come to the conclusion all s5 n/a\'s have a s4 front bumpers but as far as i know or can think of at mo thats the only thing they share? Maybe has something to do with there being no n/a cars built for japan? who knows, Wonder if the yank n/a\'s are the same? Like they have n/a verts where all ours are t2\'s. :confused:

For your shifter bush maybe give clive a bell or failing that your mazda dealer or mazdatrix in the USA. http://www.mazdatrix.com/index.htm

S5 N/a\'s wern\'t available in this country.

there were two types of S4 available in the UK, the early ones with the flat spoiler and the later (i call them s4.5\'s) with the wrap around spoiler.

Both were very similar with very minor differences, they both had the same engine though the ignition on the s4\'s is done with a CAS and the S4.5\'s is a dizzy (i think?)

UK TII are S5\'s, N/a S5\'s look like TII\'s without the bonnet scoop. S4 TII\'s were not available in this country and look like Egi\'s but with a bonnet scoop.
S4\'s and s5\'s have different interior, bumpers and some different suspension bits. these are the easiest way to tell the difference :P

S5 NA
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii47/Saavedro88/DSC_0037.jpg)

S4 N/a
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii47/Saavedro88/DSC_0015.jpg)
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: 1990_fc3s_t2 on February 16, 2011, 08:13:56 PM
Cool thanks for that makes a little more sense to me now! :D
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 17, 2011, 03:15:39 AM
thanks for the info! shame we didnt get a proper s5 n/a but im still happy with what i\'ve got :)

onto another question heh

Cruise Control!

Now this doesnt seem to work at all, nothing lights up with it etc ive checked the fuses and they\'re fine but im thinking it might be the wiring of the switch, now im saying this partially down to my rear wiper problem and when have a little look around i noticed a screw missing that holds the cowling in place so someone must have already had a play around... Is there anything else i could check  incase its not that?
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Brett on February 17, 2011, 07:46:12 AM
Inside the cowling are two units, one has the cruise control and washers, the other has the lights and indicators.

It\'s worth checking the CC throttle link is still attached on the throttle body, they are known to jump off.
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 17, 2011, 06:57:17 PM
well hopefully i have sorted the cruise control after checking everything was getting power i then checked the bulbs for the "main" and "cruise" and it turned out the main bulb had blown, did a quick test of swapping around and it all lights up so on to mazda to order a bulb and this bushing thing for the gear stick although ive spoke to two mazda garages and they have told me two different things, one garage said its just one bushing on the bottom and the other told me that there is 5 parts
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 18, 2011, 04:13:24 PM
two things now, firstly my car was first registered in 1989 from new with a private plate but the original plate was a C reg? wouldnt that make it an 1985?

Also with my gear stick problem, i\'ve also got a 1989 mx5 and if im right in reading, the mx5 shifter will fit in the rx7 so after a quick look on ebay theres a few mx5 short shifters about, will these be alright to replace my rx7\'s?
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: no_boingers on February 18, 2011, 05:37:34 PM
Yes a C plate would be between 01 August 1985 - 31 July 1986.  Are you sure it was "new" when registered or was it "imported" in 1989.  

The letter relates to the year of manufacture which is not necessarily the year of registration. (e.g. a 1990 car imported from Japan and registered today will be given a \'G\' plate not an \'11\' !)
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 18, 2011, 06:14:29 PM
Doesnt say anything about being imported, the log book just says rx7 2 and date of first registration is may 1989 but maybe it was imported?
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: no_boingers on February 19, 2011, 07:53:55 AM
Then it\'s probably an \'89.  Why do you think the original plate was a \'C\' plate?

(Note it is perfectly acceptable to put on personal plates which make the car appear *older* than it really is - think of all those cars with \'A\' prefix plates from when the DVLA went mental (mine came with an \'A\' plate which  confused the heck out of the first chap to MOT it who thought it was an \'83 rather than a \'90!))
Title: quick s5 NA (non turbo) questions
Post by: Kamatari on February 19, 2011, 10:18:17 AM
Amongst all the paper work I found a letter that said about putting the reg f777 on the car replace the c reg