I’m making a shopping list!

[louiegz]

After reading all these posts on what all you guys are doing to your Qs, I think it’s time that I get mine Qship shape. I am doing my suspension. My 70,000 mile, 95 Q has all the original suspension parts, except for the links that were done about 3 years ago. I found some Tokicos on e-bay that I’m getting for $275.00, now I’m making a shopping list to call Joe next week. I’m also buying the rear sway kit from Joe. Let me know if I’m missing anything.

1. Tokicos2. Front sway bushings3. Tension rods4. Links (Optional since they were done 3 years ago)5. Rear sway kit6. Bump stops for shocks7. Front strut bar (Jeff's I30 special that I’m getting for $8 bucks on E-bay)8. Fuel pump (It’s buzzing, big time. I will be DIYing this one. God help me.)

I’m not sure about the links because they have been changed, but I’m thinking, what the hell. While I’m at it, let me do it. The links probably only have another year or two on them. So the question that I have for you guys is, am I overlooking anything? I want to do this right the first time.

[AZhitman]

1) Get the Tokicos from Alex at Southwest Autoworks a little cheaper, and support a NICO advertiser...2) Good idea - Go with Joe or Pinnacle or Trophy.3) Ditto4) Ditto5) Great improvement - you'll be amazed.6) MAY not be necessary - While Jeff's were shot, mine were still rubbery soft and pliable.7) Also an awesome improvement - BRM will have their FSTB for the Q done in a few weeks.8) Lots of good help here for those.

A few questions: Are you intent on the stock springs? The Eibachs would be a really nice upgrade with all the other stuff you're doing. Also, you didn't mention wheels/tires - What tires are you running? Easily the most bang for the buck and single most important upgrade for a Q is some sticky, high-rated tires.

[fxjackso]

The lowering springs are mostly for looks. If you can't do both, spend the money on the rear swaybar. Also, search for Q45tech's instuctions on shimming the swaybar mountings fron and rear.

[louiegz]

A few questions: Are you intent on the stock springs? The Eibachs would be a really nice upgrade with all the other stuff you're doing. Also, you didn't mention wheels/tires - What tires are you running? Easily the most bang for the buck and single most important upgrade for a Q is some sticky, high-rated tires.

Thanks for the response, Hitman. Lets see, as far as wheels and tires, right now I have my Blizzacks on with the stock 25 spoke, 15” wheels, but next month my Michelin Pilot XGT H4 215 65 R15 will go back on. I know that tires give the best bang for the buck, but my shopping list is about $1000.00 already, not including labor. In not equipped and not very knowledgeable in doing the suspension work myself. The fuel pump I’ll try because the dealer charges about $650 to do. If I DIY the pump, I’ll save about $400 buck witch I’m putting the savings towards buying the rear sway kit. Add wheels and tires, were talking about another $1000- $1500. The suspension stuff is getting done because the parts are worn. My tires still have about another 10-15000 miles on them. Rome wasn’t built in a day. I still have to do a 60000 mile service on my car and I need that more that new 16” or 17”rims. As far as the springs, I’ve read on other treads here on NICO that there’s camber issues and premature tire and shock ware. I think I even read on one thread that Dennis said that if he had to do it all over again, he wouldn’t do the Eibach upgrade. I’m just paraphrasing. I’m not looking to put thing in my car that’s going to make me spend more money. If my springs are shot, then I would get the Eibach because they're cheaper that the OEM.

[louiegz]

1) Get the Tokicos from Alex at Southwest Autoworks a little cheaper, and support a NICO advertiser...

I checked the wedsite to get a price but they didn't have it listed. I will drop them an email. They should put Q stuff on there wed site to get some more Q business. I like the shift knob with the wood they have. I wonder if thaat fits on the Q.

[louiegz]

7) Also an awesome improvement - BRM will have their FSTB for the Q done in a few weeks.

When is it coming out and how much? I'll wait and buy it from you instead of doing the home made one. I'll probably screw it up.

[AZhitman]

Call Alex - better than email.

You can do the shocks yourself and save big bucks - Several of us have, and it's a cinch. We'll walk you through it.

FSTB shouldn't be too much longer. Gimme a bit. I'll make sure it's JUST expensive enough to make you guys irritated but JUST cheap enough to make it worthwhile.

[rsiwicki]

5. Rear sway kit

I have a 1995 Q45 T model and I would like to know how the rear sway kit that you mention differs from the "t" model's rear sway bar. Is it that much better and worth the monies compared to the rear sway bar that I already have on my car?

Thanks,

Rob

PS> I jumped the gun a little soon and bought a FTSB from Stillen....ouch $$$. I wish I had waited a little bit before I bought it. Better timing on my part next time, hopefully.

[louiegz]

The T sway is smaller than the 20mm rear bar on the A. The A bar is the one that comes in the kit.

[rsiwicki]

Okay....for the sake of my ignorance as I am learning all this stuff.

The bigger the better? Is this correct?

I feel like I signed up for a crash course in Q performance mods...I hope I get at least a B on the report card...

[Q-less]

So that was you, I had found those tokico shocks on Ebay and went to check my bank account before I bought them, then I went back to Ebay and I thought how stupid another bidder was for not using "buy it now"; so how much are you prepared to pay for them -- cuz its on like donkey kong.

[Q-less]

No really, call the number for southwest autoworks and talk to them. I asked them to beat the $275 shipped price and she did. Go call and then retract your bid at Ebay.

[louiegz]

No really, call the number for southwest autoworks and talk to them. I asked them to beat the $275 shipped price and she did. Go call and then retract your bid at Ebay.

Yea, thats what I'm doing. Alex at Southwest quoted me $273. Only 2 bucks but I think, like Hitman says, I rather support a NICO Sponsor then some guy on E-bay. They pay while we play. Don't worry about the ones on E-bay. As soon as a set sells, he put another one out there.

[nuQ]

You can do the shocks yourself and save big bucks - Several of us have, and it's a cinch. We'll walk you through it

hitman,,,,,exactly how hard are the shocks to DIY???? i would buy them in a second if i thought i could do it myself. don't have an "ultimate set of tools" like Spicoli from Fast Times at........ LOL, but have a couple of friends with limited knowledge and know-how, maybe a couple cases of beer as payola, too!!!! how about the tension rods, links, and bushings,,,,still talkin' DIY?????sorry to hi-jack this thread,,,just in the same boat as louiegz!!!jeff

[louiegz]

I'm not too worried about the labor. A buddy of mine owes a Mieneke. They have a lift and all the tools. I dont even own jack stands. I still would have had to pay someone to compress the springs onto the shocks if I DIYed. Sometime it's more cost efective to have someone do it for you than DIY. Anyway, I'll get some savings installing the fuel pump myself.

[Jeff Williams]

My wife bought the struts ffor Christmas, and paid over $300 from Southwest Autoworks. She didn't remember to mention NICO.

I did the shocks in about 1 hour, for the fronts, and 1 .5 for the rears. It is EASY!. You will need an air compressor, Air wrench (Or Electric), 4 jack stands, and a creeper.

Once I took the struts off, it took me 10 minutes, to replace the upper links, and about 15 minutes, to replace the tension rods, and that included removing the lower spash shield.Once you are in the rear, yo ucan see the fuel pump, it does not look too hard. The biggest part, is removing the tank, and flushing it out, I think (I still have this to do).

I did not replace the "hats" on top of the struts, because they looked fine.

The car does ride alittle harsher, wit hthe Blues, but I kike th firm ride. I will not go to the Eibach's.

I had to byu the strut spring compressor ($36 at Autozone), because the loan a tool one did not have the safety pins.

Check your steering boots, to see if they are O.K.

[louiegz]

Once you are in the rear, yo ucan see the fuel pump, it does not look too hard. The biggest part, is removing the tank, and flushing it out, I think (I still have this to do).

I thought most people here in NICO did it by removing the back seat and the read deck. Removing the tank must be a pain.

[Jeff Williams]

I haven't done a search, I just saw the tank, and pump, when I replaced the speakers, and recently, when I did the struts.

I found it impossible, to remove the 3rd tail light, on my rear deck. The rear seat is easy to remove, but the deck is a pain. I hope I don't have to get back in there, again.

[louiegz]

Hey Jeff, this NICO member named tangalora did the most detailed directions on how to do the fuel pump that I have seen. Check it out.

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....ber=2

I wish her car would break down more so we get more repair tips like that.

[Jeff Williams]

Hey Jeff, this NICO member named tangalora did the most detailed directions on how to do the fuel pump that I have seen. Check it out.

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....ber=2

I wish her car would break down more so we get more repair tips like that.

Thanks!, I sent her an email, requesting the pictures. I also printed out the thread (too much reading, right now).

I wish I knew how to remove that panel, when I swapped the rear speakers. I had to just prop the panel up with a couple of shor screwdrivers, so I couls slide in the new speakers. I couldn't get the brake light out.

[louiegz]

Thanks!, I sent her an email, requesting the pictures. I also printed out the thread (too much reading, right now).

I wish I knew how to remove that panel, when I swapped the rear speakers. I had to just prop the panel up with a couple of shor screwdrivers, so I couls slide in the new speakers. I couldn't get the brake light out.

Cool let me know when you get those. I'd like to see them.

[louiegz]

Thanks!, I sent her an email, requesting the pictures. I also printed out the thread (too much reading, right now).

I wish I knew how to remove that panel, when I swapped the rear speakers. I had to just prop the panel up with a couple of shor screwdrivers, so I couls slide in the new speakers. I couldn't get the brake light out.

Cool let me know when you get those. I'd like to see them.

[jtesensky]

2) Good idea - Go with Joe or Pinnacle or Trophy.

...call Joe! :ylsuper

(gonna be feeding another mouth soon!)

[knghtryde]

I'm new to Nico. I recently got my hands on a 1990 Q45. Who is Joe, or who can you guys recommend for a Rear Sway Bar. It's a Base Model, and I wanna tighten up the suspension.

Thanks. David

[jtesensky]

Hey David,I just talked to you! I forgot to mention the rear sway bar upgrade price (standard to active rear sway bar): $261.78Also, like I said keep an eye on AZHITMAN, he's the one putting together the front bar upgrade (BRM).Thanks again!-Joe

[VimyJ]

I'm new to Nico. I recently got my hands on a 1990 Q45. Who is Joe, or who can you guys recommend for a Rear Sway Bar. It's a Base Model, and I wanna tighten up the suspension.

Thanks. David

Welcome to the club.

There is a wealth of info about Q45s here especially the earliest version or the "generation one" as they call it here. Make sure you take advantage of the search button becasue there are some serious maintenance issues for the early Qs namely, the timing chain guides and transmission care. Check them out, ASAP!

[NissanLunatic]

Hey guys, in order to receive your NICO discount, you must mention you're a member. We have so many people e-mailing us daily, but we do offer excellent discounts to everyone here on NICO. So please, always make sure you mention it!ThanksAlex

[knghtryde]

I keep typeing in Q45 in the search engine and nothing comes up except for like 4 or 5 posts. Is there something more specific I should type.

[VimyJ]

Try typing "Chain Guides" and look out!

[Jeff Williams]

I got 3,052 posts, when I put in Q45. Are you letting the searech engine search all posts?