Is A Q45 Restoration Difficult?

[bzzz]

Hey all! I need help figuring out if it'd be crazy to attempt to restore my pop's 91 Q45 that I felt compelled to save from the "I Buy Junk Cars" man. It's been in my family since new, has over 240k miles, hasn't been all that well maintained, but it still looks pretty good and at least drives. It smokes heavily from the engine bay and tail pipe, idles roughly, and generally doesn't feel AT ALL like the car I took up to 140mph in high school. I'm assuming the engine will either need to be completely torn down and rebuilt, the power steering is a fairly recent a memory, brake fluid leaks like crazy, the suspension needs to be replaced, but at least the transmission, exhaust, and body seem okay. I really love and admire this car, my heart's all wrapped up in it, what's the most efficient (i.e. economical) route? Would a JDM engine swap be easier and cheaper than a complete engine rebuild? Any expertise in rescuing this sweet machine and getting it back on the highway would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

BZW

[Q451990]

to NICO bzzz!

You've got a big project ahead of you if you decided to take it on.

I would definitely recommend the JDM engine swap over a rebuild. You'll want to change out the timing chain guides before it's installed.

This is truely going to be a labor of love for you... it's not going to be worth anything close to what you put in to the car when it's done.

Heath

[rabsusa]

Hey all! I need help figuring out if it'd be crazy to attempt to restore my pop's 91 Q45 that I felt compelled to save from the "I Buy Junk Cars" man. It's been in my family since new, has over 240k miles, hasn't been all that well maintained, but it still looks pretty good and at least drives. It smokes heavily from the engine bay and tail pipe, idles roughly, and generally doesn't feel AT ALL like the car I took up to 140mph in high school. I'm assuming the engine will either need to be completely torn down and rebuilt, the power steering is a fairly recent a memory, brake fluid leaks like crazy, the suspension needs to be replaced, but at least the transmission, exhaust, and body seem okay. I really love and admire this car, my heart's all wrapped up in it, what's the most efficient (i.e. economical) route? Would a JDM engine swap be easier and cheaper than a complete engine rebuild? Any expertise in rescuing this sweet machine and getting it back on the highway would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

BZW

hiya,

I d check out crashed Q from salvage yards and swap out all you need, probably the best way to go, personally i would not rebuild that engine, too many places to go wrong if you re not an expert,


rab

[bzzz]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I know this is going to be pretty tough, but well worth it.. not monetarily of course! Can you recommend any reputable JDM engine suppliers? I live in Miami, Florida if that makes any sort of difference. The idea of purchasing such an important and expensive item from thousands of miles away is understandably leery, and I can't glean all that much information on specific motors from the websites I've picked through thus far. Also, are 93-95 engines completely compatible with a 91 everything else? Thanks again, guys!

BZW

[elwesso]

I am not sure 100% on the JDM engines anymore... It would seem to me that all the good ones have already been picked over and all you're left with is the high miles torn up rejects..

I only think that it would really be worth it if the body is in good shape. Engine/trans etc can be repaired pretty easily and cheaply if you're patient and do your homework... I still question if its worth it on my Q which I have more money and time into than most people on this forum.. Just last night I had part of my exhaust fall apart and I need a new diff..

[bzzz]

Oh no! Your car is awesome. I found a JDM engine with very generic information (93-95, 30-50k miles), but I can't be sure if the seller is being 100% accurate and/or honest. I DID also find a 95 Q with 85k miles in Jersey, but am reluctant and pained to relegate mine to the junk heap

[elwesso]

does it smoke from the engine BAY (read: valve cover gaskets) or from the tail pipe?? Have the chain guides been done?

What color combo is it?

[bzzz]

Both, unfortunately. Injectors most likely need work. It also seems a bit sludgy under the oil cap which I read isn't a good sign. The chain guides haven't been done according to my folks; I really wish they'd taken better care of maintaining it! It's white (not pearl) with a tan interior, everything in good condition except for the driver's seat. Whaddayathink? Crazy? I'm willing to part with maaaaybe $8k to get it all sorted out.

[Q451990]

Direct swap engines would be 90-93. The wiring harness changed in '94, although some people have made it work with some splcing...

Heath

[willmoodom]

Check this out in reference to rebuilding the engine:
my-s13-vh45det-build-thread-t508897.html

[OwnerCS]

Just have some DEEP pockets.

[elwesso]

I was thinking about this subject a little bit and I don't think I'd screw around with a Q anymore if I didn't already have one that was in decent shape. I'll obviously keep my going as long as I possibly can until something happens that makes it unreasonable to fix.... For me, it'd be a lot easier if it was a clean, rust free example but the body on mine is not in the greatest shape (but not horrible)...

[willmoodom]

Just have some DEEP pockets.

Why deep pockets? In reference to the short block, assuming no machine work is needed and everything is within specs...how much does it cost to install bearings and rings? How much to disassemble head, clean, spec and if no machine work, reassemble with maybe some new lifters? Oh, I forgot the oil pump. Machining will undoubtedly push the price up, but anymore than any other engine? Someone said the engine requires a different set of tool to machine. Is the crank some special alloy that bmw or Mercedes don't use? Forgive me. Im not being smart and I definitely don't know have the stuff you guys do. But im always looking to learn new things. Btw, I too am planning to rebuild my engine.

[willmoodom]

I was thinking about this subject a little bit and I don't think I'd screw around with a Q anymore if I didn't already have one that was in decent shape. I'll obviously keep my going as long as I possibly can until something happens that makes it unreasonable to fix.... For me, it'd be a lot easier if it was a clean, rust free example but the body on mine is not in the greatest shape (but not horrible)...

Can't be no worse than mine I just wish it was easier to work on.