Turns out I have some good news and some bad news. Bad news first:
The Q45s engine truely is shot and it DEFINITELY overheated a substantial amount. The chap who was driving her at the time won't so much as be able to pitch to help the cost, though I'd say he was definitely responsible for the damage. Besides that, the body and interior aren't in the same condition as when I saw the car a year ago. The front drivers side seat boulster is worn, there are two cracks in the front passengers seat and both the front and rear bumpers have a little damage to them. Finally I noticed there's spilt pop on the inside of the drivers side door. All this time she wasn't supposed to have been driven with the exception being emergencies... think I'm pissed? Maybe just a little?
On the positive side however, this presents me with a great opportunity for an engine swap. I called Paul at Zigouras Racing today whom said he can build me up a number of engines. He can build me a full race spec motor naturally aspirated engine w/ aggressive cams or without. Without the cams I'd be looking at 350-370hp (ported heads included) or with cams and well over 400. I doubt I'll do the cams though, as I want to keep it a daily driver. The other big option was lowering the compression and getting it ready for a supercharger setup. Obviously with a supercharger she'd net some sick horsepower. Understandably, the total cost difference is huge between a nice NA setup w/o cams and a complete boosted setup. Either way, Paul knows what he's doing. He claims to have built up 12+ VH45DE's already THIS year alone... he knows the engine and knows how little wear and tear there is, even at 200k miles. As well, Ernesto has said he will pull the engine for $750 and install it for $750. This price doesn't exactly seam great to me... any idea what it should cost?
Lastly, keep in mind, unless the Beamer sells for something close to what I'm asking, the supercharged setup will only be a dream and the only thing I will possibly be able to afford for the Q is the NA setup along with a couple smaller mods. I guess it all comes down to money in the end, but I wouldn't mind hearing some opinions in the meantime.
Corey
P.S. Ryan, you may or may not be happy to hear the ASE664 I received is not only new in the box, but is also much smaller than expected. She's about a finger width tall and about the size of those small square post it's we all use around. Looks really clean and really nice.
Finally in Vegas
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elwesso
- Posts: 30810
- Joined: Sun Feb 23, 2003 4:52 pm
- Car: 94 Infiniti Q45t 5 spd
2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
- Contact:
I remember somewhere that T3 charges $500 for an engine swap one way (ie to drop it out)...
Remember dont rule out my Q!!! Id love to see it be a project!!!
Honestly since your going to school (I assume) that you might even consider getting something that will drive you around and then do a project later when your life is a bit more "stable"
Just my humble opinion though?
Remember dont rule out my Q!!! Id love to see it be a project!!!
Honestly since your going to school (I assume) that you might even consider getting something that will drive you around and then do a project later when your life is a bit more "stable"
Just my humble opinion though?
In that case, I'll be looking around to see if I can find some better prices on doing the swap. I'll have to make the calls tommorow cause Ernesto doesn't have room for the Q to stay on his lot much longer.
Read my other post RE the pristine black 1990 Q45... *drool*. I TRIED to pick that car apart and I couldn't!!!
Very good points Wes. I am going to college again come September and having a car that doesn't cost quite so much would be "beneficial" to say the least. In all my budgeting I've already deducted the money I'll need for college *this year* but I haven't included repairs, etc. Something I probably should be keeping in mind.
Corey
Read my other post RE the pristine black 1990 Q45... *drool*. I TRIED to pick that car apart and I couldn't!!!
Very good points Wes. I am going to college again come September and having a car that doesn't cost quite so much would be "beneficial" to say the least. In all my budgeting I've already deducted the money I'll need for college *this year* but I haven't included repairs, etc. Something I probably should be keeping in mind.
Corey
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elwesso
- Posts: 30810
- Joined: Sun Feb 23, 2003 4:52 pm
- Car: 94 Infiniti Q45t 5 spd
2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
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Something you want to look for is the RAINY DAY.
IF you could sweet talk that guy down to 4000 you could probably get that from your Q parting it out..... I wil help you if that is necessary...
Honestly in your current situation, I would probably hold on to the Q (its not costing you anything, rihgt), put it away for a few years and then when you have more money you can really make that thing good..... Id hate for you to spend your money on something and then not have any money left for anything like a major repair, something you didnt think of...
Part of why I GO BIG OR GO HOME on about everything I do.. hvae to cover all your bases..
I read your think about the 90Q and while its VERY hard to find one in that nice condition, remember your still going to have to spend $1200 or so replacing the guides and doing all the other stuff like plenum hoses and such.....
IF you could sweet talk that guy down to 4000 you could probably get that from your Q parting it out..... I wil help you if that is necessary...
Honestly in your current situation, I would probably hold on to the Q (its not costing you anything, rihgt), put it away for a few years and then when you have more money you can really make that thing good..... Id hate for you to spend your money on something and then not have any money left for anything like a major repair, something you didnt think of...
Part of why I GO BIG OR GO HOME on about everything I do.. hvae to cover all your bases..
I read your think about the 90Q and while its VERY hard to find one in that nice condition, remember your still going to have to spend $1200 or so replacing the guides and doing all the other stuff like plenum hoses and such.....
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elwesso
- Posts: 30810
- Joined: Sun Feb 23, 2003 4:52 pm
- Car: 94 Infiniti Q45t 5 spd
2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
- Contact:
BTW how rude of me... So sorry it was the worse case scenario! 
I know how much you were looking foreward to doing all that stuff and you sorta hit a huge brick wall... Looks like you may not remain in the Q bretheren much longer.
But seriously, if you part out your Q and consider mine I think that might be a decent option, and no Im not trying just to sell my Q...
I know how much you were looking foreward to doing all that stuff and you sorta hit a huge brick wall... Looks like you may not remain in the Q bretheren much longer
.But seriously, if you part out your Q and consider mine I think that might be a decent option, and no Im not trying just to sell my Q...
Corey,
That totally rocks about the ASE. These guys make some NICE products. Not only sexy, but functional. It would seem regardless of the model choosen, it's a MUST for any active Q owner.
Luckily in my current job, the OT is basically unlimited. So I can work as hard (or little) as I want to justify the expense of these ridiculous items.. Work another 10-20 hours, I've justified the price of the 680...
I'm glad yours ended up nice. Are you considering picking up the remote for it? How's the harness shapeing up.
I received my package from Azuma. I'm in love with the Leather sun visor covers. They match up perfectly, have the slit in them, and are 100000% improvement over the stock who knows wtf they are made out of visors. Really matches the already totally custom interior of my car.
Keep the Q. We're soldiers. Victory is guaranteed, it may not be near, but the day it comes, will be a marvelous day indeed.
Besides, the only JDM sports car worth getting is a supra. The RX7 is the japanese porsche, but is so completely unreliable and expensive too maintain, it's just not an option (for cheap maintenance needs)
The Z is kick ***, but dated.
The supra is perfect. The MKIV TT Supra is one of the finest over engineered cars ever. My friend and myself went down to checker, picked up some hoses, and with a little labor, were looking at nearly 400 hp. You could have that thing running at 18 psi of boost, with some hose rerouting. Not going to happen on any jdm supercar, but the supra. A true piece of overengineering mastery, that will probably never occur again. The F&F crowd made it trendy, but it's a remarkable beast. Every bit as capable on the track, and on the street.
That totally rocks about the ASE. These guys make some NICE products. Not only sexy, but functional. It would seem regardless of the model choosen, it's a MUST for any active Q owner.
Luckily in my current job, the OT is basically unlimited. So I can work as hard (or little) as I want to justify the expense of these ridiculous items.. Work another 10-20 hours, I've justified the price of the 680...
I'm glad yours ended up nice. Are you considering picking up the remote for it? How's the harness shapeing up.
I received my package from Azuma. I'm in love with the Leather sun visor covers. They match up perfectly, have the slit in them, and are 100000% improvement over the stock who knows wtf they are made out of visors. Really matches the already totally custom interior of my car.
Keep the Q. We're soldiers. Victory is guaranteed, it may not be near, but the day it comes, will be a marvelous day indeed.
Besides, the only JDM sports car worth getting is a supra. The RX7 is the japanese porsche, but is so completely unreliable and expensive too maintain, it's just not an option (for cheap maintenance needs)
The Z is kick ***, but dated.
The supra is perfect. The MKIV TT Supra is one of the finest over engineered cars ever. My friend and myself went down to checker, picked up some hoses, and with a little labor, were looking at nearly 400 hp. You could have that thing running at 18 psi of boost, with some hose rerouting. Not going to happen on any jdm supercar, but the supra. A true piece of overengineering mastery, that will probably never occur again. The F&F crowd made it trendy, but it's a remarkable beast. Every bit as capable on the track, and on the street.
Wes, no worries! I agree with you 100%. Go big or go home! If I'm gonna replace the engine in the Q, rest assured it won't be with another 100k stock engine. If it's getting replaced I'll probably get it built up then swapped in. That's if I decide to keep it. As much as I'd like to it's not exactly the sports car I've always been looking for... but it is the type of car I could keep for years and years to come with that hint of luxury I want and more performance than I need...
Then again if I do part it out, it's got brand new texasoil accumulators (found out they are still sitting in the garage, sealed in their bags), a brand new radiator and a few other new items. The only problem with parting it out would be that I'm not down here with the car... so someone else would have to physically remove and pack the parts for me; which would cost money.
It's looking to me like I should hold onto the Q, but still get rid of the BMW. I don't need two money gobbling cars after all... only what to replace it with?
Supras are over priced since Fast and the Furious came out. RX7's are, as you say Ryan, the Japanese Porsche's. GREAT cars while they're running, but expensive to maintain (which isn't what I need right now!). That leaves me to make a choice between a DSM and a 300ZX and IMO, the Z wins out. It'd be nice to find a 300ZX TT that had say, an interior fire and turn it into a Z on a diet... Lots of doors I'm not willing to close yet. Just spitting out ideas as they come to me guys, so toss some more feedback my way!
Ryan, great to hear about the shade covers! If you get a chance, take some more pics of the car/the car's interior! As well, I totally forgot how low the Q was sitting until I saw it... it couldn't have been more than two inches off the ground tops! Talk about slammed!
Corey
Then again if I do part it out, it's got brand new texasoil accumulators (found out they are still sitting in the garage, sealed in their bags), a brand new radiator and a few other new items. The only problem with parting it out would be that I'm not down here with the car... so someone else would have to physically remove and pack the parts for me; which would cost money.
It's looking to me like I should hold onto the Q, but still get rid of the BMW. I don't need two money gobbling cars after all... only what to replace it with?
Supras are over priced since Fast and the Furious came out. RX7's are, as you say Ryan, the Japanese Porsche's. GREAT cars while they're running, but expensive to maintain (which isn't what I need right now!). That leaves me to make a choice between a DSM and a 300ZX and IMO, the Z wins out. It'd be nice to find a 300ZX TT that had say, an interior fire and turn it into a Z on a diet... Lots of doors I'm not willing to close yet. Just spitting out ideas as they come to me guys, so toss some more feedback my way!
Ryan, great to hear about the shade covers! If you get a chance, take some more pics of the car/the car's interior! As well, I totally forgot how low the Q was sitting until I saw it... it couldn't have been more than two inches off the ground tops! Talk about slammed!
Corey
Talked to my Dad today... turns out he doesn't want me to keep the car at his house. Which means... she's up for sale. Looks like I'll be out of the Q family for a while guys.
Looks like I'll be selling the texasoil accumulators (four of 'em and they're brand new, still in the box) and hopefully will be selling the car whole. I've got $5000+ invested in her but if anyone's interested in it, I'll take some pictures for you and give you more details. For any NICO members willing to put the money into the car to mod it... I'd consider selling it for $6500-$7000 with a completely rebuilt and built up '94 engine in it BUT with the car's suspension as-is. AKA, you can spend the $1300 or so getting it converted, or you can fix the active suspension... but I'd prefer that you fix the active suspension
. As an aside, she's navy blue with one of the cream colored interiors in her. If anyone wants to know more, just shoot me an e-mail. I may convince him yet to let me keep the car here so no promises...
Corey
Looks like I'll be selling the texasoil accumulators (four of 'em and they're brand new, still in the box) and hopefully will be selling the car whole. I've got $5000+ invested in her but if anyone's interested in it, I'll take some pictures for you and give you more details. For any NICO members willing to put the money into the car to mod it... I'd consider selling it for $6500-$7000 with a completely rebuilt and built up '94 engine in it BUT with the car's suspension as-is. AKA, you can spend the $1300 or so getting it converted, or you can fix the active suspension... but I'd prefer that you fix the active suspension
. As an aside, she's navy blue with one of the cream colored interiors in her. If anyone wants to know more, just shoot me an e-mail. I may convince him yet to let me keep the car here so no promises...Corey
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elwesso
- Posts: 30810
- Joined: Sun Feb 23, 2003 4:52 pm
- Car: 94 Infiniti Q45t 5 spd
2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Quote » Originally posted by Corey If the block is salvageable it looks I may build it up with a set of 9:1 pistons and forged rods as well as rebuild anything else which is necessary ($500 pull + $300 shipping + $2000 build up + $300 shipping + $500 install with me doing some of the labor). [/quote]
I assumed that was for parts only. 350-370 crank HP for $2000 plus shipping each way? That's maybe 20% over stock. That's a nice step up. It makes sense then that a SC should lay down 3x more extra power and also cost 3x as much. The SC seems to be riskier and more labor intensive, but also with more options once you're in the door.
Don't forget Daedalus that for not much over $2k you can get the compression down around 9.0:1 if you're also thinking of doing a supercharger setup. I discussed all options with Paul whom gave me clear cut and up front answers. This guy has a great rep on all of the marine engine boards on the net. Haven't heard anything put good stuff about him.
Corey
Corey
It's the install and removal that makes the swap so expensive. Hopefully there's someone else in Vegas who'd be able to do the swap for a tad cheaper than Ernesto's quoted $1500. My guesstimate was $1000 for install and removal as the cheapest I'd be able to find. We'll have to see how that search turns out.
Corey
Corey
MiniMan wrote:Talked to my Dad today... turns out he doesn't want me to keep the car at his house. Which means... she's up for sale. Looks like I'll be out of the Q family for a while guys.
Looks like I'll be selling the texasoil accumulators (four of 'em and they're brand new, still in the box)...
Corey
I can turn those 4 accumulators into some quick cash if you're still willing to sell them. Mine need to be recharged. Let me know if/when you make a decision about the status of your Q, or email me offline. ([email protected]) Thanks!
AZSKYGOD
I'll get back to you before too long on that note. The tow truck was supposed to make it here with the Q today, but he never got around to it. I'll make some calls tommorow to find out what else is wrong with the active suspension... maybe if it's not too much I'll put some more effort into keeping it/having it fixed. Otherwise I'll get in touch with you about sending you those accumulators! Thanks for the interest AZSKYGOD 
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Corey
.Corey