94 Q45t and Tokico Blues

[TViking]

I just put a some miles on my 94 Q45t after installing a new set of Tokico struts. I also replaced rear strut bushings and front strut mounts. My car is just a few miles away from 100k and I figured I owed it a reward.

The car is more settled now and the rebound more controlled. I don't know if the "t" used a firmer strut than a regular Q to begin with but the ride difference as far as firmness is very, very slight. I would urge any owner who was concerned as I was about buying into a strut that gave too hard a ride to rest easy. The Blues must be very similar to what the "t" came with. They are a perfect match and this NICO forum saved me quite a bit of money on the parts.

Orlando Infiniti charged me $420 for the install.

Tim

[96Qowner]

Nice post for the archives - thanks. I'll be replacing with Tokico blues in the next month or two, and this settles my mind about the ride.

[maxnix]

t and standard models had the same strut and springs.

[TViking]

What then was different between the straight Q and the "t" in the 94' model as far as suspension...bushings? I remember when we bought the car that we drove all three at the dealer (active included) and the "t" felt a tick sportier than the regular Q. The active of course was amazing.

Tim

[elwesso]

THe only difference was the small sway bar in the rear...

[maxnix]

Also HICAS and forged BBS wheels. May have had the quicker steering rack of the earlier G50.

[Q45tech]

The thru 95 touring and active also have [a less understeering] smaller front sway bar 28mm vs 29mm. 10% less stiff front with 10% stiffer [12.5 pounds per roll inch] rear for the touringshifts the roll center balance ratio more rearward by 5% [actually 4.5%].

The oem front bar is so very stiff that a 10% reduction still leaves the Q very forwardly stiff........understeering. The active 20mm rear bar starts to get closer to neutrality but 40 pound inches is still aways from 123 which would be required to be NEUTRAL.........without any losses from acceleration the rear tires with engine power.

[TViking]

Just clarify for me then, on the "t" we are looking at a slightly smaller sway bar up front and a sway bar in the back. Did regular Q's not have a rear bar?

I also have the HICAS rear wheel steer but I assumed that was content that was on all the Q's. Didn't they pull that off the car in 95' or so?

TIA,Tim

[maxnix]

1.) Just clarify for me then, on the "t" we are looking at a slightly smaller sway bar up front and a sway bar in the back.

2.) Did regular Q's not have a rear bar?

3.) I also have the HICAS rear wheel steer but I assumed that was content that was on all the Q's.

4.) Didn't they pull that off the car in 95' or so?

1.) Yes,

2.) No.

3.) Only on pre-1995 t models.

4.) Yes.

[Magnum PI]

the tokiko blues made my Q45t sit up higher, so I will be getting lowering springs.

[DAEDALUS]

Dampers don't impart meaningful static force. In other words, if you take a brand new damper, and compress it by hand to the height it's at when the car's sitting still, it won't fight much once it's at that height. The fact that you can compress a damper all the way by hand should tell you something. Dampers impart a reactionary force that is a function of speed. The faster you compress it, the more force it gives back.

[911/Q45]

I'd guess that when the blues were installed the springs weren't seated correctly, hence the higher ride height.

[Jeff Williams]

I'd guess that when the blues were installed the springs weren't seated correctly, hence the higher ride height.

It is hard to not install a strut correclty on the Q. I bet the strut mounts were shot, and the new ones made the difference.

As far as handling, the touring model still feels different than the std model, even with the blues, sway bar, and upgraded wheels. The main difference is the steering box and the HICAS. Lola feels like a track car, while Layla feels like a high speed interstate runner.

Lola has a bit higher ride height than Layla as well. I just though it was the extra 100k miles that made the springs settle a bit.

[elwesso]

Interesting information Jeff.... i wonder if the rumors about teh Q45t springs are true, that theyre stiffer?

[rob1]

What is the verdict on replacing OEM struts with Tokico Blues for a standard Q45 (mine is 94Q)? Will it be a stiffer ride or are the Tokico Blues the same firmness as OEM struts?

[maxnix]

Blues are firmer than blacks.

On 1995 G50, definitely no difference in spring rates.