Just got a 1991 Q45a need help

[Khaous]

I just got a 1991 Q45a and it needs a new engine (180,000 )and I was planning on moding this car what engine should I replace with??

need a good website for parts..

[Flagship-Q]

Might check ebay for one. They usually have JDM engines all the time. Someone on here may have one for sale also. Note: Wes, could you downsize my sig pic. for me (can't figure out how to do that)? Thanks!

[elwesso]

The VH in my opinion is one of the best motors nissan made in the 90s, and if you ask me far superior to the VQ and VK of today!

Anyway, you can get JDM engines fairly cheap, and theyre generally pretty good.....

Dale... Here you go.

[Khaous]

Ok mine is a VHDE 4.5L. Can it be rebuilt? Someone told me that they don't do well after you rebuild them.

[elwesso]

you can rebuild them, but its generally easy and cheaper to get JDM engines.

[redmanfx]

The VH45DE is the only engine you want in your car. Rebuilding and aluminum engine is never totally smart unless you are a pro. Compression won't be the same and allot of other stuff will be off. Your best bet is to buy a JDM engine. These engines are from Japan where they are removed before they get 60,000 on them. You can find a good one for No more than $1,200. These have been compression tested and are the way to go over a used American VH45DE.

red
Modified by redmanfx at 9:49 PM 5/11/2006

[DrewQ45]

You can find a good one for No more than $12,000.

Umm, I think you got an extra zero in there somewhere.

[ScottJackson]

If it's to hot rod the car, may I suggest a high rpm ford 351C with either CHI 3v heads or factory closed chamber 4V heads? Another option would be a 302 or 351W with good aftermarket heads. A good transmission to back it would be a 4R70W from a 3.8 V6 mustang (bellhousing same as older small block V8s) with a Baumann transmission controller.

[Khaous]

cool thanks for the info I'm sure i'll need some more thoughout this rebuild. you guys have some cool Q's

[maxnix]

Read Q45tech's post on JDM takeout engine rehabilitation in Infiniti Mechanic Online.

Chain guides are absolutely mandatory, as are KS, underplenum hoses, rear and front main seals,........

With Active, you need even more funds and time to rehabilitate it.

Then there is the TCU.......
Modified by maxnix at 9:16 AM 5/12/2006

[Q451990]

may I suggest a high rpm ford

I think I would throw my computer out of the window if I ever saw pictures of any furd part in a Q... especially an engine!

Heath

[Q45tech]

Impossible to get a legit emission pass certificate when you swap engines from earlier year and different manufacturers........Since 90-93 Q have same engine ok to put a 90 engine in a 91-93.

[maxnix]

I think I would throw my computer out of the window if I ever saw pictures of any furd part in a Q... especially an engine!

Heath

Boy, you and me too! Get a Vic, a town car or a Lincoln LS, or even a Jaguar.

Why replace a beautiful jewel like the VH45DE with a short-lived pushrod pig-iron block with 2 valve heads?

[HashiriyaS14]

Not that I personally would ever be inclined to swap a domestic OHV engine into a G50 when VH's are so cheap and plentiful.....

But if I were so inclined, I wouldn't consider any engine other than the Cadillac 500CID (8.3L)

You can get built Caddy 500 longblocks that will reliably make 600hp and even more torque. That would make for a pretty neat G50.

Although, as I said, I'd still be inclined to just go with the VH, probably supercharged.

[louiegz]

Why replace a beautiful jewel like the VH45DE with a short-lived pushrod pig-iron block with 2 valve heads?

Well, maybe some low end torque would be nice and a different transmission with better, usable gears. I always thought it would be cool to see the Q with a current Corvette engine. A Qvette shall we say. I figure it would be impossible, but it would be cool to see.

To tell you the truth, before I'd invest in a stock engine, Id see what work the Active suspension need to see how much that's going to cost you. At the end of the day, it might not be a worthwhile project.

[elwesso]

Worst case if the active is shot you can convert it... ACtive Q really seperate the men from the boys..

Doing an engine swap just to get more low end torque and a better auto trans is pretty stupid, as itd be much easier to swap in another trans behind the VH45... a car with IRS isnt going to hook up well from a stop as other cars with solid rear axles.

Besides, 4.08 takes care of most low end torque power! Who cares if you get less mileage, $500 for the 4.08 is better than spending 10k for an engine swap to get the same fuel mileage as a Q gets.

[louiegz]

Doing an engine swap just to get more low end torque and a better auto trans is pretty stupid.

Whoa! Stupid? You hurt my feelings. I was just thinking out loud. I wasn't telling the guy what to do. In a fantasy would, it just to be cool to see that.

Worst case if the active is shot you can convert it... ACtive Q really seperate the men from the boys.

As far as converting, thats not cheap. Might just be a little less having TXoil charging up the old struts. I guess it all depends how much it's worth to him to fix it up. Now a days buying a Q is like when your looking for a house and you see the "Handyman Special". Sure, it starts out cheap, but them you have to spend a lot of money if you don't know how to do the work yourself. I have and old house and I have to trim out the first floor. Someone wants to charge me over $5k to install and stain, or I can buy about $500 in wood and stain and do it myself. I don't feel like doing it, but I might have to pull out the miter saw and do it myself. But unlike the Q, I might get a return in my investment.

[redmanfx]

$500 for the 4.08 is better than spending 10k for an engine swap to get the same fuel mileage as a Q gets.

Hey now, I just paid $110 for the Limited slip 4:08 and one was selling for $85 on e-bay which no-one bought, so you can get it real cheap if you look.

Plus if you go JDM then get a JDM transmission as well, you can find them(a good one) for around $400 or a little less . JDM engine, JDM transmission, 4:08 differential, Robert Bowen ECU, JWT TCU and you got your self a monster car for only $1,200 + $400 + (lets say)$150 + $150 + $150 = $2050.00You can do better if you try, but that is a good figure for some very good Q45 stuff. If you DIY then you save tons of cash on labor. Most of us do things one at a time because we can't afford everything at once.

If your going to do that then get a new Drive shaft, transmission mount, engine mounts, new hoses, Throw in the Texasoil Active recharge(to restore the Active suspension) for $1200. So for $4000 you have all the hardware you need to spruce up your Q. I'm serious! add another $4000 for labor and you can revamp your Q for a redheaded guesstimate of $8000. $4000 and you do it all your self. Of course this includes downtime for the Q.

So what do you think?

red

[elwesso]

No hard feelings, just one mans stupid opinion... Id rather it stay in the nissan family personally, but to each their own.

it would be cool to see something new done.. Just hard to for me to fathom putting in a much inferior domestic motor to replace the much superior VH.

Actually most of the costs involved in the active conversion with factory struts is the factory springs.. Your basically just chanigng the struts and then you rip out all the active lines (but you dont HAVE to).....

Fortunately a lot fo the things that Red mentioned cna be spaced out over many weekends, so you wont really hvae the car down for too much at one time..

[louiegz]

No hard feelings, just one mans stupid opinion...

None taken.

Just hard to for me to fathom putting in a much inferior domestic motor to replace the much superior VH.

Much inferior? I don't know. Just because it's old school doesn't necessarily make it much inferior. I might not be the most knowledgeable person to debate this but right off the bat, the LS2 engine has 400hp@6000 rpm & 400ft. lb.@ 4400 rpm torque. The VH has 278hp and 296ft.lb. Granted it's 1.5 liters less but it's still more power. I'd think also that the LS2 is easier to work on and more people can do the work. I'd like Jeff Williams to ring in. He owns both. I'll like to see what he has to say.
Modified by louiegz at 4:02 PM 5/12/2006

[ScottJackson]

A 4V 351C isn't known for low end torque. They have huge ports and are actually known for their ability to happily keep building power past 9000rpm and the stock valves or connecting rod lets loose. 600hp with no power adder isn't too difficult with a cleveland. 500hp is a cakewalk and very streetable with low maintenance. Engines haven't really come that far in the last 30 years, despite what marketing says. In fact, pushrod engines came well after overhead cams. So you could easily say the VH45 is a dinosaur in design terms when compared to an old iron domestic with only 2 valves per cylinder. I don't know what georgia's emissions laws are. Probably not as lax as Iowa's (absolutely none here, no inspection even). The genIII chevy engines would be good swap candidates too. Anything with a front sump oil pan that belts out a good load of reliable power would be a good idea in a Q, but that's only my opinion.