1999 Q45 Noob, mas questions

[MrPresidentQ45]

I just picked up a 99 Q45 with 78k on it and so far it's totally sweet. I actually work for Lexus, and so far this is way better than a same year LS400. I'm interested in doing a few performance mods, and so far haven't had any luck tracking down very many answers. For starters, does anyone make lowering springs of any kind for this car? I've tried Eibach, Tein, no luck so far. Beyond that, are there any drivetrain mods out there? Intake, anything? I'm happy with the brakes (might upgrade the pads, thoough) and the car gets out of it's own way.... just looking for a little more. Though from all of the hybrid threads, maybe I should just drop in an LS1?

[elwesso]

Nothing much available for the Y33.

You can get Tien springs and KYB shocks from Van (onetongarage). email him and see if he can hook you up!

Cant believe you think the 99 Q45 is better than the 99 LS? maybe you're is on 'roids or something?

Really as far as N/A power goes, you'll spend a lot of money to get 30HP. These V8 are pretty ballsy from the factory. That being said, about the only room you have for improvement is in the headers. if you could custom fabricate some new exhaust headers, i bet that would be the best money spent... intake wont net you much (could be counterproductive too!)

i'd really like to see someone do a VH45 swap, i bet that would be the best bang for the buck... You'd probaby gain roughly 50HP by doing that (315 vs 266HP)

[Q45tech]

How can you pass CA emission test with a different engine family in a vehicle nor can you increase displacement nor put an older engine than the vehicle model year.

While you could install a newer engine from Nissan again you get tripped up with OBD2 ecu reporting to emission computer a WRONG ecu series code!

[MrPresidentQ45]

Well that sorts me out, I guess. Daily driver it will remain. As far as CA emissions go, the last I checked as long as the swap involves an engine (of any sort) that is USDM and manufactured same year or newer (and retains all of the donor specific emissions eqipment) you can get the vehicle referee'd and legal. Bit of a hassle, but it depends how bad you want it, I guess. Forgive my ignorance, but when you mention the VH45, I'm guessing the next generation of V8(01 and newer?), correct? As far as "better than an LS", I don't mean outright reliability (done some homework at least) but as far as being user friendly, ergonomic and stylish, the Q45 wins hands down in my book. Now, compared to an LS430.... not so much. Besides, with all of the wheel time I get at work, it's just a personal preference issue. You should see what condition some of the 400's are in. Yech!

[qship96]

90-96 I think the Q was overall a more desirable car than the LS,from 1997 til today,I would take the same year LS over the Q any day,every day.Sad how infiniti doesnt even compete with the top Lexus anymore.We need a 750, a8, s class, LS competitor once again,I know they can do it-just look how good the M is just one step down!

[MrPresidentQ45]

True that. I'm a big fan of what Lesus is doing at present, even though tuning the new stuff is not an easy thing by any stretch. Can't wait for some IS-F wheel time. For the moment the wife is the majority driver on the Q, so as long as she's happy, I'm happy. I'm currently looking for a 240sx as well to round out the fleet. Better commuter than the 1973 Chevelle I currently drive, and I'm friends with a few guys who've worked on Nissans extensively over the years (including one gent that worked on an independent race team in the early 90's). Everything I hear makes them sound like great cars.