4RotorRocket

Im doing some research on rotary engines,FCs and FDs.I can learn better when I have something in front of me to look at and mess around with instead of reading.Is one more reliable than the other or are they about the same?I have the money to get a FD and I want to get an FD but I kinda like the FC and wouldnt mind having one.Damn.....where to start??

How much would a nice 90-92 FC with a rebuilt engine run me?I dont want a NA.

1987rx7guy

I would say get an S4 they are cheaper and not as flawed. That S5 MOP sucks nuttz! and there is NOTHING wrong with an N/a. They will be an easier learning tool because theyare simpler and cost less money to buy/repair. an S5(89-91) Is going to be VERY hard to find in good condition. Good luck on that. I personally like the S4 over S5 but hey if you want to spend a lot more cash for two or three years and more potential head aches so be it.



Good reliability mods: Full tune up. Replace all parts that may cause problems in the future such as the plastic tank radiator with a full aluminum one. Make sure you get a FCD if your going to jump into modding and up the boost. After that upgrade the fuel system so you don't pop the motor by running lean. Also Premium fuel is recommended to help keep detonation away.

4RotorRocket

What year is the best year for the FC?

Joe Flo

You will never get an answer to that question. The s4 guys are always argueing with the s5 guys. But not to burst your bubble yet again. I wanted a TII also. But I needed a daily driver at the same time. Most TII are getting sub 10mpg. But those are just the ones I know.

1Revvin7

Get an s5 t2 if you can find one, if not s4 t2 will have to do... FCs are way more reliable than fds....

FCmaniac

S5 T2 would be my first choice also if you can find a decent deal. I think mileage is very important too. Many over 100k I notice will have a rebuilt/replaced engine but you need to keep in mind all the other things that can go when the mileage gets up there. Or just get the extremely rare 10th AE... I see a different one every week for sale on ebay

Streetrally

I don't mean to start an argument over this, but I know S4 TIIs are lighter and you can boost more since they have lower compression rotors.



I personally love my S4 NA, its light and agile, not too quick, but i think it will be good enough once I get some mods on it. I could be wrong but don't S5s tend to have more electrical problems than the S4s?

1987rx7guy

4kRotorRocket- Look Age doesn't matter much when all the cars are already over 10 years old. Forget mileage. YOu said you want to learn about the engine right? Well then get a nice bodied S4 TII with an engine that is ok or going out. Order a new engine from mazda and drop that one in. Take apart the old engine and start learning!



S4 cars have many advantages the only one that they don't have is age. Power you can probably make the same power or more with an S4 block than an S5 block since boost is more easilly cooled than compression in the engine.



I personally have an 88 S4 N/a block at my home that I am studying and using for reference when I talk about internals and things of that nature to my friends that are not so fortunate to have a parts car.



S5 parts are MORE expensive and RARE to find among things engine peices, MOP's, TPS, ECU, harness, etc.

j9fd3s

there really isnt any best year for the fc. the early ones are built a bit better, but the later ones have slightly better electrics. the later ones look cooler, but the early ones are 150lbs lighter. the early ones are about 3x more common, because they were a lot cheaper. the later cars have some wierd expensive electrics (mop, rare ecu etc), but they have a black interior.

early btw is s4, 86-88. and late is 89-91, s5



mike

Baldy

don't the s5's have lighter rotors as well, and made slightly more power? (which I'm guessing was offset by the weight gain)