1994 Q45t-Engine Swap-How do I find the right engine?

[girlie girl]

I searched the archives and my problem is pretty specific so I didn't find anything that helped me.

I own a 1994 Infinity Q45t. The engine blew and my mechanic is going to swap the engine out for me. He's shopping for a used engine (junk yard) to put in. He's a jack-of-all trades and isn't Infinity exculsive but he's good. I'm afraid he's not going to find the exact engine replacement and I'm going to have problems down the road.

How on earth can I know how to find the right engine for the swap?

I've been told...

1. That this year Infinity you have to make sure you get the right engine (there were two models that year) or the computer/electronics won't work. Is that true?

The mechanic found a 1990 +/- with transmission problems and I'm scared to death he's going to try to put this older engine in my 1994 Q. HELP!

I need ANY/ALL information about my original engine, (ie how do I find out what I have now) and what kind of engine is NECESSARY for a swap like this.

I luv my car and want this swap to go well and not cause me headaches at every turn for the rest of it's natural life.

Please help!!

Girlie Girl

[nchopp]

Welcome to NICO.

All the info you need is DEFINITELY in the archives. There's just gobs of info on the VH45DE. How did you search?

[96Qowner]

(When you search, be sure to check "post bodies" in the "search in" section)

It looks problematic. Here's an old thread on it:

zerothread?id=82021

You're better off finding a 94-95 engine.

[girlie girl]

*rats* I'm new at this and I guess I didn't enter the right key words or something because I didn't find anything. I've looke at the link you sent me.

Can you share some good key words to use in my search? That might help me. Thanks guys for your replies!! I'm sure I'll have lots more questions.

Girlie Girl

[96Qowner]

I just used - engine swap - for the Infiniti General forum, search in post bodies, came up with this:

zer...age=1

Another thread on the subject - this one is for a 94-95 into a 90-93, the reverse of what you're thinking of. Problems with the wiring harness and connectors between the two engine versions. Be sure your guy understands that:

zerothread?id=88610

In any case, a swap done CORRECTLY isn't cheap - probably should be in the $4000-5000 range.

[Omar]

Where are you located?

There is a guy here in Chicago who replaces engines and transmissions. He gets them from Japan.

About two weeks ago, I asked him about replacing an engine in a Q45. He said with parts and labor included, it would cost about $2200-$2500. The engines have about 35K-40K miles on it.

It will come with 6 month/6K mile warranty.

He changed a transmission on my Camry, and a motor on my Previa and an I30.

He did a great job.

If you cant bring your car here, let me know, I will give you his number. I think he ships engines/transmissions too.

- Omar

[girlie girl]

I am going to specify that I get a 1994 or 1995 swap. How can I tell if I get the right engine? Is there a serial number or something visable unique to 1994/1995?

[girlie girl]

Omar, I'd be interested in that information. I'm in Florida. LMK how to contact you!~Girlie Girl

If you cant bring your car here, let me know, I will give you his number. I think he ships engines/transmissions too.

- Omar

[Q45tech]

" asked him about replacing an engine in a Q45. He said with parts and labor included, it would cost about $2200-$2500. "

He ether has not done one or he doesn't think much of himself. Labor rate?

An expert who does the swap takes at least 18-25 REAL hours.

Just because an engine has 60,000 miles [in Japan they cannot go over 55 mph] they are still 10-15 years old and all the rubber hoses, knock sensors, gasket, plugs and harnesses are shot and must be replaced......this adds 4-10 real hours to the swap.

Think $4,000-$5,000 to do the job correctly and have a chance that little addition work will be required over the subsequent 4 years.

We see these [no rehab] budget swaps all the time when they are brought in needing $2-3,000 worth of additional work [harder with engine in vehicle]. Needs front and rear mains, valve cover gaskets, plenum hoses and knock sensors, plugs, sensors, egr/iac clean out...........all the things that should have been done at swap time.

As is swaps are always dangerous to you wallet as a short time later the hasn't neen run in 5-10 years engine decides to throw up.

At least with 94 and later you don't need new chain guides [$1000].

[Q45denver]

B

I am going to specify that I get a 1994 or 1995 swap. How can I tell if I get the right engine? Is there a serial number or something visable unique to 1994/1995?

Best way to check would be to get the VIN# -that way you could also verify mileage. If possible run the engine in the car. If JDM, I think they generally do that before shipping over here. Make sure they do all the rehab like Q45tech suggests.

[Q45denver]

Most big cities have similiar operations-look in the yellow pages under Jap engine exchange.

[Q45tech]

They come from Japanese JUNKYARDS and have roughly the same care of removal as US junkyards.........those that still run and are in a car body good enough to export are sent complete to left side of road drive countries.

Somewhere in the export import chain they receive a [sometimes multiple] spit shine to bump the price up. It almost appears they, the entire engine was dipped in shiny polish [on the quality ones]. Some of them actually get degunked inside.

[EQwhipD]

FL Girlie Girl,If I were you, I would make sure the engine was "blown". There was a thread about a NICO member who thought his '94 engine had blown, but it really wasnt. He depressed the gas pedal tot he floor a series of times, and then cranked it. I hope somebody can find that thread. Girlie-Girl, It is EXTREMELY rare for a '94 engine to "blow". I hope somebody can find that thread. I would explore all possiblilities before putting another engine in the car. It might be even worth it to take it ot a delaership and have them diagnose it for $75. Hope this helps. -EQwhipD

[EQwhipD]

Girlie Girl,

Here's the thread:

zerothread?id=143232

-EQwhipD