Dumb Luck....Now a Q owner

[jonseyq45]

Hello all. When I found this page , it was like hitting a homerun. I also own a KZ1300 (6 Cyl) Kawasaki streetfighter and they have a web page like this to share things with all the proud owners. My hats off to all of you.........

Now to my story, I wasn't looking for a car when I was on Craig's list. I was actually looking at the electronics page when the a ad caught my eye. It listed a Q45 1990 for $500.00. I thought, must be a hulk. The next day I came across it again and saw it was in the city I live in so I said why not give him a call. Found out he was about 15 minutes away from my work so I went over after I got out I went to this nice townhouse and met the guy. He said it was out in the garage. I half expected to have to clean all this junk out the way. Howver it was as clean as my living room.

I found a perfect car. The back seat didn't appear to have been sat in. Arm rest worn but otherwise the interior was perfect. Exterior had no dents or scatches. few rock chips at the hood edge. The worst part was the three cracked wheels. He had gotten drunk and drove it over a curb and it had been sitting since (8 Months ago). His dad gave him the car for free. My next thing to him was I will have a check tomorrow. I found 4 16" wheels on Craig's list for $75.00, I need to replace both lower a arms on the passenger side ($35.00 parts at U-Pullit) son and I replaced them. With new tires and all the parts I am in it $900.00. If this is the only great deal I get in a lifetime I am a happy dude.

Thanks to all on this forum, you have already been helpful to me and for that I am greatful. Well that's my story and I am sticking to it...........

Sam

[maxnix]

Congratulations and we are all happy to see the car in the hands of someone who cares.

Now go read the timing chain guide article beofre you have a funeral for it.

[jonseyq45]

First thing I read, have parts ordered......

Drive it till I dieSam....

[maxnix]

Spoken like a true NICO Q45 owner. Better my demise than my car's!

[lino]

Welcome to Nico and congrats on the new car. Got some pics for us?

[jonseyq45]

Here are some I took today;











And yes I am a Bond fan

Modified by jonseyq45 at 3:14 AM 3/9/2008
Modified by jonseyq45 at 3:15 AM 3/9/2008

[oldmako]

schwing on the score! That's a nice looking ride. Congrats.

[lino]

Very nice!

[maxnix]

I see some OEM mats from Joe in your future.

[96Qowner]

Score!!! Nice find, jonsey.

[MR. Q]

How's the Q treating U so far?

[Jesda]

The sand color is seriously underrated. I miss mine.

[Q451990]

That's the nicest $500 Q I have seen!

Heath

[jonseyq45]

An old post returns...........

Believe it or not, I am having a ball working on it. My son who graduated last year with some auto skill center time has been a god send. He in 6 hours removed the plenum and replaced the old fuel rail and injectors with the new 94+ style. The only thing we had to repair was a pinched seal in one of the back connectors in the plenum. And we replaced that in about 15 minutes by loosing the bolts and sliding a new seal in it.

So far I have done the following; Replaced the front seats with perfect ones out of the U-Pullit ($35.00 each). Replaced the TCU, 94 one, U-Pullit again ($8.00). Next removed the rear muffler and had the muffler shop build a x (crossover) pipe for it Sounds between 180 degree headers and the normal duals. Put Borla tips on it. Installed a Sony deck with separate tweeters and 6.5 infinity's in the front door with Sony Xplod 6x9 in the back. Sounds tight, people think there's a sub in the trunk (that's for another day). Installed Cold Air kit ( I know there are opinions both ways). Had son install a large B&M transmission cooler. Pulled front of the engine off to find that the guides had already been replaced, however I found the left side chain tensioner had failed(replaced), Been working on a electronic transmission controller (another post) Upgraded the carpets, one piece in the rear (U-Pullit again) $6.00. Have a spare ECU to send off for the NICO tune (U-Pullit) 15.00. Installed upgraded pads all the way around. Because I'm a horse trader, the stereo stuff came from a computer equipment trade and I have done all my own labor but the alignment, I feel that I am in it cash wise about $1600 including all new injectors. And it runs and drives perfectly (awesome....)

Next dream items: Rear sway bar, 18 or 19" wheels (give me some opinions please). Make it a little lower. Adding a supercharger ( start prototyping this summer) .

Thanks for the nice comments guys,

Jonsey

[bullittandy]

Car looks and sounds (description) fantastic! I also genuinely appreciate the scavanging for used parts and looking for deals. With a bit of ingenuity and a son who will work for you (I know that one!) you cannot even come close to owning a car as nice as this for $1600.

Cheers!

[MR. Q]

Glad to hear that all is well. In the future we can meet up and talk Q when I get mines running!

[lino]

It's nice to hear that you're enjoying your car and having your son work on it

For the little money that you have invested in it, you're doing incredibly well. You truly are lucky.

Regarding the U-Pullit....I wish we had them where I live. I found one Q in a local yard and every part I asked for a price on was $100+. The guy said he paid too much for the car and needs to make his investment back. He's had it for more than 5 years and only had one other person buy something off of it.

Out of curiosity, were your original injectors bad, or did you just upgrade them to reduce future headaches? How do you like your car now with the new ones? How do you like the exhaust setup?

[jonseyq45]

Lino and Mr Q thanks for the nice words

So far the injectors have worked out great. I first had 2 bad ones. Went to you pull it, got a 94 rail and injectors ($35.00). Now I have 3 bad injectors, I feel I am going backwards here.

Started the web search for any source of injectors. Found a franchise up here in the northwest called Dr Injector. Called them up and was quoted $50.00 an injector. I inquired new or used, he said could be either depending on stock. I asked about the ethanol issue. His source for the injectors is out of California which has had the ethanol fuel the longest. He said there would be no problem with the issue. I went to his shop, I was impressed with all the testing equipment that he had. He said that he works with road racers and drag racers a lot, gasoline, alcohol, and diesel. He first determined the highest flow rate available for my car and ordered 12 injectors. When they came in, he flow matched 8 of them and installed them in the rails . He also included new seals at the manifold. $350.00 and I was out the door.So far great stuff. Starts instantly, idles evenly and with a balanced sound at the tail pipes (smooth).

I know this is a crap shoot but he has done everything he said he would. He also would work with mail order for other parts of the states. This was an older gentleman (old school) and he seemed to know his sh*t. Great to work with, likes to talk, laid back, slow moving at times but he has delivered the goods so far.

Now to the pipe. I removed the rear muffler and ran 2 new pipes to the back with Borla tips. K.C, who owned the shop, spent some time getting them centered and with the right extension at the rear bumper. So off I go reliving my later teen years for about say …..2 weeks.

Back to K.C., please take the rap out (I had already thrown my sons CD’s out the window) I don’t need to break any windows. We sat there talking and thinking for a while and he came up with a great solution. He hand built an X pipe to fit after the cats and before the resonators. He used a larger diameter pipe, larger volume to slow the flow down and to lower the tone a little. I’ll take pictures if anybody is interested. The final outcome? It sounds like a cross of a NASCAR and a 180 degree header setup. A lower exotic more tech sound that seems nice until you get on it and it gets people’s attention.

Well that it so far. As to the u pull it’s, we have about 5-6 of them run by LKQ. At times I have had up to 4 to 6 Q’s to pick from for parts. They are reasonable priced and give an guarantee. So if you have a shopping list and I have the time I could look them up for you, my son is getting real good at finding stuff and getting it off in one piece.

Mr Q, you’re up in my neck of the woods, I can be reached at 360 566-7476 (work cell) if I can be of any help. Anyone else can call me if they have a question. I am not as experienced as Q45 tech or Maxnix but I’ll have a sympathetic ear and maybe even an answer

Jonsey…..