NICO success story (Update on DUI killed my Q)

[db_autotek]

Thanks to everyone for the support. This has been a NICO success story if ever there was one... With all the helpful and supportive people here on the club, I knew there was no other option but to buy another Q. Yeah, I looked at a few other cars, but owed it to myself and to everything holy to buy another one. So I picked up a really strong 92 for an amazing price. $1900 private seller from craigslist. I knew it was going to be a project car, and half of it did not work when i bought it (lights, seats, windows, sunroof, radio, ac, the list is endless) and it had sit for at least a year. Good news: the drivetrain is flawless and has just barely 100k miles and a brand new factory paintjob. More good news: I knew with the power of the "SEARCH" button here in the forums, I could fix whatever wasn't functioning. The best news yet: I saved a ton of money, fixed everything already, and lost 5 lbs in sweat. lol.

It's still not perfect like my last Q but I love project cars. I even told the guy when I bought it, "I'll have this thing back like new in less than 6 months!" of course he didnt believe me, but I've already doubled the value of the car.

Interesting things to note.. I hated the looks of the older Q's in the front (I'm sorry Q gods) but now that I have one in dark forrest green metalic, it looks incredible. Almost reminds me of (dare I say) the Fox body mustangs in the front, and I will be trying to use some hotrod inspired styling on this one. I love the looks already.

Also, the performance is quite different. I honestly thought that the cars were exactly the same except for styling and a few things. But it is indeed a different animal, feeling more nimble and responsive. And faster. I know it has alot to do with my NICO ECU but also there is a huge weight difference. kMy 94 was registered with the state as being 4500+ lbs ???? and this one registered 3400 lbs. wtf? Fine with me.

This one peels out anywhere and everywhere with little effort, and usually not on purpose. Really blew the minds of some Altima guys next to me yesterday.

Reflecting back on all that happened.... Horrible DUI accident in which I was the innocent victim, and one less perfect Q on our roads. Battles with insurance and having to drive a PT Looser Cruiser rental car... Endless headaches and unneeded stress.

But I now feel like the winner. I fel like a great success story of the Infiniti brand and the people here on NICO club. My last Q45 saved my life and my passenger's life, and this one would gladly do the same. In the meantime I will be forever greatful for everything, and will be burning more rubber than ever. Long live the Q.

(pics to come later today!!! going now for a wash/wax)

[superuber]

Post the pics!!

(not that you can see mine anymore! )

[Q451990]

That's great news! I'm looking forward to the pics. I hate to ask, but have the timing chain guides been updated? That's the one killer of older Q's - other than, as you know, drunk chicks.

Heath

[AZhitman]

Awesome news, Jon!!!

Can't wait to see what becomes of the new beast!

[db_autotek]

I'm familiar with the timing chain issue, and have read up on it in the tech and forums. I believe the update has been completed, since all the necesarry bolts have wrench marks and the tell tale red-silicone rtv is present. But believe me I won't go much longer without pulling it apart myself to see/update. And the fuel pump, I know. Right now I'm sorting out the typical 1st gen AC issues. Seems I have the exact thing Hatian King is experiencing, but just replaced the AC amp, so now at least I can see the display. (did all the checks from the FSM and currently have it narrowed down to compresor) I'm going to get a compressor now. Then, PICS!!! By the way, I noticed during my AC amp replacement that some of you have posted that you had to "bang on the dash a few times" to get the AC display to come on..... lol. well I narrowed that down to poor connectors/plugs on the back. Next time, don't bang on it, pull it all out and reconnect it very firmly. Works.

[ScottJackson]

I posted a while ago about drilling a small hole in the timing cover to visually check the guides. Worked for me!

Here:zerothread?id=239309

[AlabamaDan]

Congrats man!

[Q451990]

Might be worth trying to find the dealer service records to check on the guides... even if you have to call corporate to have them "de-archive" them. Very few people used the "Nissan Red" RTV besides the dealerships. Even my local dealership used Permatex Gray instead... it's kind of a glopy mess to work with.

Oh, and for the A/C thing... remember that you're flexing the circuit board when you are messing with the connections. It's the movement that usually brings them back for a few minutes/hours/days/weeks? It's definitely a component that Jerry Tucker replaces to fix them.

Heath

[maxnix]

Probably ~150 lbs,. weight difference, thicker glass, more insulation, a couple of doodads.