New Owner - 1992 Q45 - with a few questions....

[FastFreddyFour]

First I want to say I have read this forum a ton over the last week and there is tons of info here (and links) and also great members here with tons of knowledge. I appreciate that and ask for a little help...

I just today purchased a 1992 Infiniti Q45 from my Brother in law. His father (my father in law) was the original buyer (in fact I was there when he bought it new). This was his baby... before he took it from the dealer - he had aftermarket wheels, a cold air K&N Air filter of some type installed, a chip, and performance exhaust (and some more stuff) on it. He sold the car to his son (my brother in law) in 2002 with a grand total of 18K miles on it... he babied the car and never drove it. Now my brother in law drove the car... I finally got it from him and it has 46K miles on it today. Also while he had it the stock exhaust was put back on as the performance exhaust rusted out (or developed a hole or something), and he lost one of the wheel center caps. Other than that - the car is perfect still - the interior is super nice still and the paint is great - never been hit..

So I love the car.... looking to do the chain guides here once the weather warms up enough to get it apart in the garage and fix that so I have piece of mind. So my questions are....

On the rear trunk it has the factory spoiler on it... and the Q45 emblem is on the back edge of the spoiler - not the trunk as the spoiler wraps around the trunk... is there holes in the spoiler under those 3 letters... the "Q45". The plastic chrome on them got funky and I'm either going to remove them or if there are holes - I'll gt replacements if I can.

Next is the wheels... he had the stock wheels replaced with Mim/Speedline 15" wheels. They look very similar to the BBS wheels used on some of those - even to the screw on center cap.. BUT.... the center cap diameter on these wheels is over 6" (like 6-3/8" to be exact). So the BBS caps will not work and it seems the Mim/Speedline wheels are very hard to find - and a couple center caps places I've talked with never knew Infiniti to use these as factory parts. I've yet to call the dealer.. but its on the list. But the question is.... I see lots of Infinitis with aftermarket wheels... what stock Infiniti wheels fit my 92 (standard suspension)? Will a Nissan Z wheel fit? Will some of the Infiniti 18" stock wheels work? I don't want to use wheel spacers... so is there a list of cars that have wheels of the correct bolt pattern and backspacing?

Sorry for the long post - just wanted to give all the info I had so you can make the best informed suggestions possible.

Thanks in Advance!Fred

[maxnix]

Welcome to NICO, Fred.

Yeah, if you keep reading you will find several wheel fitment threads.

Sounds like you have a rare car in great condition.

[Rex]

First question, have the "chain guides" been done. If not, that should be your first order of business.

Now for wheels, what are you looking for, and what's your budget? I'm near Mason and have a few sets, and may be able to help with test fits, etc.

There's a few different threads on wheels and fitments, shoudl ahve almost all the info you want to know.

[bruce.weiland]

Fred,

Even though you have very, very low mileage, if you can, drive it very little until the guides are done. The plasticizers in plastic leach out over time and your guides could be very fragile or even cracked.

For wheels. Get in touch with several of the guys close to you who have differring size wheels on their cars. Have them let you take a short/or long drive. 16", 17", 18". Of course there are tire differences, but.... each increase in wheel diameter drops your side wall height by 1/2".

In general, unless you spend a lot of $$$, you will end up with more and more unsprung weight as you increase the wheel diameter. This is going to change handling dynamics. Additionally, as you increase wheel diameter, other things being equal, you will have more road "feel" and more road "noise" at all speeds.

You will ultimately find what is acceptable to you. I have owne 3 active Q's and put on many miles with 15", 16" and 17" wheels. I have driven a few miles on two different sets of 18"s on a Q active.

15" were great, the slight comprimise with 16" was very acceptable. I have yet to drive a set of 17" or 18" that I really want to live with on a Q.

I have a 2005 G35 four door with OEM 18", fun but tiring (no pun intended) on a long drive. And a Solstice GXP with 18" (which I believe would handle better with smaller diameter wheels and less weight hanging out there).

Remember, your mileage may vary. Just my two cents.

Bruce

[DrewQ45]

You'll get no answers outa me until I see some pics!!!