Well, I've talked about this before... Now I'm committed. Let me tell you about my objectives, before I even mention what I want to do.
Main Objective: Obtain a cheap (2-4k) 1st gen Q (based on the auto trader and paper, this shouldnt be an issue.) Modify said Q, to take part in road rallys, races, and just to drive around. I've always wanted to do this, I've owned both a 94/91. I've ALWAYS wanted a proper first gen with mods, to race around in. Here is some of my thoughts... when reading this, assume price ISN'T an issue, in giving advice...
I am not sure if I want an A or not. I know A's introduce more maintence, but price aside... I am not sure if it would give a relative advantage over a modified normal Q or not. I do remember Geoff Brabahams special edition, which he road raced. It was an A, it would seem that system would be great at speeds over 100, in terms of stability, and maintaining body flex/roll under braking etc. However this system adds 200+ pounds, I am not sure if this would be advantageous. I know you can get sufficient suspension components, and probably make it handle at least as good if not better, on a road or track enviroment. Ok, enough about that..
Level 10 transmission- this is something I want to do. I know probably the car I will buy, will need a new transmission either right away or not to far off.. I figure this is an all around great mod, enhancing shifting times, feel, reliability. At the same time, would changing the gears be better? I've read many posts, it seems like it's similar discussion to the A. Some people like it, some don't. Would it be good in higher speed driving, or does it sap the high end performance?
Other mods- All the defaults JWT ecu/tcu.. Hopefully a new BM exhaust, depending on the choice of active or not, a completelly revised suspension setup, including larger tires. I will also add the Q45 A bar, regardless. Nitrous- it's more of a dream, and im super paranoid, I really wouldn't want to reck a car with nos, I'm sure odds are better I'd get struck by lightening, but this is a mod that makes me paranoid.. However with the level 10 transmission, it's just asking for the additional power.
In closing.. I know this isn't practical, and will be expensive. However, I am dead serious, I have achieved the means to do this, and it's something I've ALWAYS wanted to do. I am looking for help/advice/suggestions from anyone/everyone on this board, into potential setups/pro's con's etc. This won't be a primary race car, as I will only race it when I can find the events to do so. When it will be raced, it will be a mix of road rallys and road courses. I don't want to completely gut it, or turn it into an all out track car. I am looking for the most acceleration and handling I can possibly squeeze out of this vehicle, while still retaining some driveability around the street.
Thanks everybody in advance
Q Project/race vehicle, looking for advice suggestions from my people!
I should also mention to anyone in Arizona, who could mention a mechanic, that could help me accomplish all of this. I've been to euro imports, it's been a hit/miss with them. I would like an individual as opposed to a shop, somebody I could call personally etc.. Somebody I know I can trust to get my q to the absolute high of running perfection, and can add these mods, and make sure the car is modified properly. After all, this is all for not, without the right tuning and setup.
Has anyone tried the 300zx TT engine in the Q?
The Toyota guys did something similar with a Supra, they installed the 4cyl from a turbocharged MR2, this helped by being able to sit the motor lower and further back in the chassis, and also making the wieght distribution almost 50/50, seeing how the 300Z motor has more HP mods (ala cheaper than the Q motor) for it and is also backed by a manual transmission it might not be a bad idea.:thinker
The Toyota guys did something similar with a Supra, they installed the 4cyl from a turbocharged MR2, this helped by being able to sit the motor lower and further back in the chassis, and also making the wieght distribution almost 50/50, seeing how the 300Z motor has more HP mods (ala cheaper than the Q motor) for it and is also backed by a manual transmission it might not be a bad idea.:thinker
Isn't that engine the VG30DETT? If that's the case, I wonder if you could swap a VQ35DE in there. It would give you more power number 1, and number 2 there are a boatload of turbos coming out for these engines. With the room gained in the engine bay from swapping out the VH45, stuffing a turbo in there shouldn't be a problem. Also, these were made to work with manuals as well.
Nick
Nick
It's interesting, but I'm not interested in that sort of powerplant. I would like to use an import turbo charged engine, if anything. Nothing real good for sale in az right now.. the search continues. I think I'll stay with a real nice running original engine with all the fixings. How much does a level 10 transmission cost? I assume you send in your transmission, and they build it up? I assume this improves acceleration, due to faster shifts? How does it feel, when it shifts?
Are there any JDM mods for the engine, I remember getting a email from some supplier in japan, stating they were. I never checked up on it though...
Do you all have any thoughts on the classic active vs standard debate? Assuming price wasn't a factor, and the system would be put to use with high speed driving, would it be beneficial over a real nice standard modified suspension setup?
Are there any JDM mods for the engine, I remember getting a email from some supplier in japan, stating they were. I never checked up on it though...
Do you all have any thoughts on the classic active vs standard debate? Assuming price wasn't a factor, and the system would be put to use with high speed driving, would it be beneficial over a real nice standard modified suspension setup?
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AZhitman
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Well, start by searching posts by texasoil. He recharges accumulatorsand is the foremost "Active" expert (besides Dennis) here.
JDM mods? Never seen any. Sijoko is in the process of turbocharging a Q, beginning with reversing the headers towards the front of the engine... Has it figured out pretty well.
AGM has a pretty heavily modded Q as well - Look at all his old posts.
Finally, read the thread "Hi-power VH45DE" in Infiniti Technical Forum.
I shoulda been a librarian.
JDM mods? Never seen any. Sijoko is in the process of turbocharging a Q, beginning with reversing the headers towards the front of the engine... Has it figured out pretty well.
AGM has a pretty heavily modded Q as well - Look at all his old posts.
Finally, read the thread "Hi-power VH45DE" in Infiniti Technical Forum.
I shoulda been a librarian.
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maxnix
- Posts: 22627
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1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
I don't get why one would eant to put a smaller block turbo motor in a 2 ton Q45.
It would be interesting to get a 1996 Q 45 and try to adapt the VK45DE and transmission to it. With the short 3.5 stock rear end of the 1996, it should perform a little better than even the 2003 Q45 with the short 3.13 rear end.
Everything else sounds like a noble but wasted effort. Lot's of thought and a budget is needed for any project of this scope.
It would be interesting to get a 1996 Q 45 and try to adapt the VK45DE and transmission to it. With the short 3.5 stock rear end of the 1996, it should perform a little better than even the 2003 Q45 with the short 3.13 rear end.
Everything else sounds like a noble but wasted effort. Lot's of thought and a budget is needed for any project of this scope.
It was just a hypothetical, I was tossing around ideas with others regarding strange engine swaps... I am just interested in getting the most performance out of the original engine. A VK45DE engine/transmission swap would be unbelievable. That would be the greatest engine swap I could ever think of. Sure, others would give you more power, but it's such a great engine, and it would be plenty in the Q. Is anyone thinking of undergoing this project? How much do VK45DE's cost? How much for the transmission as well... All interesting ideas, I plan on investing probably 20x what I spend on the car it's self, but it's something I've wanted to do since I owned my first Q in 99..
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HeavyDuty
- Posts: 1281
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95 Nissan 240SX S14
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The only performance increase with the transmission will be increased torque with a stall converter & the trans' ability to withstand more power, as well as the reduced time between shifts with a valve body line pressure increase. Ben at JWT claims there's no increase in firmness with the ecu, tcu, but I'm waiting to see the results on my car when they arrive soon. JWT has had them since October. If the ecu program reduces the amount of timing pulled out between shifts, that itself should make for a quicker shift.
N2O is to be respected, but if you find someone that knows what they're doing, it's a perfect power adder for those that don't want the increased power all the time. I ran a 100 shot on a 91 SE-R, that car only came with 140hp stock vs Q with 287. I'm also running the JWT 100 shot on my Q. A good rule of thumb is not to exceed 50% increase of the stock power output, but if it's managed correctly & all the tuning aspects are 100%, there's no reason to not want an add'l 100hp on demand.
A ZL-1 aluminum 427 in a Q would be awesome, combined with a Hogen's sheetmetal intake, 1 7/8 custom headers, Accel Gen VII eng mgt, somebody stop me................
If a 90-93 Q fell in my lap, I'd also be tempted to install the RB26 I have sitting around. Sky's the limit there, fellas...pardon the pun.
N2O is to be respected, but if you find someone that knows what they're doing, it's a perfect power adder for those that don't want the increased power all the time. I ran a 100 shot on a 91 SE-R, that car only came with 140hp stock vs Q with 287. I'm also running the JWT 100 shot on my Q. A good rule of thumb is not to exceed 50% increase of the stock power output, but if it's managed correctly & all the tuning aspects are 100%, there's no reason to not want an add'l 100hp on demand.
A ZL-1 aluminum 427 in a Q would be awesome, combined with a Hogen's sheetmetal intake, 1 7/8 custom headers, Accel Gen VII eng mgt, somebody stop me................
If a 90-93 Q fell in my lap, I'd also be tempted to install the RB26 I have sitting around. Sky's the limit there, fellas...pardon the pun.
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QuickSilver
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I don't feel I know enough to make many serious suggestions, but just want to say it's awesome that you and others (HeavyD and Z) have the means and will to explore the full potential of the Q.
I'm excited to vicariously participate or just follow the progress. Damn, did I understand you correctly, $20k-40k in mods? (20X $2k -$4k) :bowdown
The guy who I bought my Q45a rear bar from did say that the his '92a was the best car he ever has or ever will drive. Isn't the engineering of the active suspension race inspired? I thought the only drawback to the active susp. was cost. ($3k-$6k)
I'm excited to vicariously participate or just follow the progress. Damn, did I understand you correctly, $20k-40k in mods? (20X $2k -$4k) :bowdown
The guy who I bought my Q45a rear bar from did say that the his '92a was the best car he ever has or ever will drive. Isn't the engineering of the active suspension race inspired? I thought the only drawback to the active susp. was cost. ($3k-$6k)
If you want to stick with the N/A Q motor you could contact ED Pink, he is the gentlemen that built the Indy motors, im sure he could shed some light on how to get a good 350-400 HP out of the Qs engine, say more compression, some head and valve work, reground cams, open up the plenum, AGMs headers, a bigger MAF, and a nice stand alone system should do the trick, can you imagine how the Q motor would sound screamn to 8200 rpms:eek:
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diamondj30
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rb26. (drool) If I was mechanically inclined, I would love to undergo an outrageous project like an rb26. I am not however, which means me being a test bed for a brand new project, would probably not be the smartest thing I can drive fast, and know a little about the setup of a vehicle, but that's about it. Regarding the active suspension, I've heard from the people who have it, it's the only Q they will ever drive (those who got it working properly again) Geoff Brabhams special edition Q, was an A, fully modified by Stillen. He took part in some road races, and endurance races with it. I've never driven an A, so I can't speak to the advantages, or disadvantages. I love the engine of the old Q, it's trully unique. For me, ripping it out for a domestic big block, would just be unfitting. It's one of the only V8s ive experienced that loves to rev all the way to the redline, it just keeps pushing.. Even though the vk is faster, it's more balanced over the entire range, and doesn't give you that feeling the old q motor does. My friend has an XJR (v8 supercharged) I can only imagine what the W would be like with that addition... I don't mind spending some money on this project, however I do want to have the vehicle done in a reasonable amount of time. Therefor boldly going where no man has gone before, seems like I would have a dead q for a long time.
Regarding the Q indy engine components, that's an excellent idea, I don't know if the guy has ever talked to anyone about doing anything like this, but if he has, I would definetely be interested. I would love to retain the original engine, and do some modifications to it somehow, if this is possible, this would be optimal. I've driven many v8 sedans, most have low redlines, and a generally sedate feel. Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm still looking for a good vehicle, nothing around here right now.. since it's arizona, it shouldn't take very long to find a decent one
I can drive fast, and know a little about the setup of a vehicle, but that's about it. Regarding the active suspension, I've heard from the people who have it, it's the only Q they will ever drive (those who got it working properly again) Geoff Brabhams special edition Q, was an A, fully modified by Stillen. He took part in some road races, and endurance races with it. I've never driven an A, so I can't speak to the advantages, or disadvantages. I love the engine of the old Q, it's trully unique. For me, ripping it out for a domestic big block, would just be unfitting. It's one of the only V8s ive experienced that loves to rev all the way to the redline, it just keeps pushing.. Even though the vk is faster, it's more balanced over the entire range, and doesn't give you that feeling the old q motor does. My friend has an XJR (v8 supercharged) I can only imagine what the W would be like with that addition... I don't mind spending some money on this project, however I do want to have the vehicle done in a reasonable amount of time. Therefor boldly going where no man has gone before, seems like I would have a dead q for a long time. Regarding the Q indy engine components, that's an excellent idea, I don't know if the guy has ever talked to anyone about doing anything like this, but if he has, I would definetely be interested. I would love to retain the original engine, and do some modifications to it somehow, if this is possible, this would be optimal. I've driven many v8 sedans, most have low redlines, and a generally sedate feel. Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm still looking for a good vehicle, nothing around here right now.. since it's arizona, it shouldn't take very long to find a decent one
Jesda has the perfect car for ya, $3000 for a clean Q with work already done to it is great. here is Ed pinks homepage, no info on the Q motor but atleast his phone number is availalble.
http://www.edpink.com/
http://www.edpink.com/
RIGHT ON!:ylsuper First of all congratulations that you are now able to do this. The above edit of your original post mirrors my feelings, prior ownership and longing of having exactly what I want in a Gen I Q45. I've been away from posting anything for a little while because I've been more focused on achieving the means to do this as well because, it won't be cheap! But as far as racing, I would probabably just take it to the local 1320 a time or two. I'm looking at a Level Ten transmission upgrade with the 2.784 first and 1.544 second gears, but I want to keep the stock 3.538 axle ratio. JWT ecu/tcu, Precision Industries "Dragon" converter, modified stock air intake, all new suspension components, 17x8 forged wheels, 235/50WR17 tires, quiet exhaust, interior, subtle exterior body mods, etc. In fact the body mods would be so subtle that even the average Gen I Q owner may not even notice. But I would really like to have the means to go into the engine and after reassembly not have any drivability anomalies. While still having a stock non-threating apperance. Yes it would be costly but I plan on getting another Infiniti this year. So if 2004 does not go as well for me as it should, I guess I'll end up getting a new G35s or 02 Q45. But if it goes like it should, 94-95 Q. And if things go well beyond my projections I'll get a a 04 Q to drive while doing the build up. Qrazy N Love with the G50...:crazy...Danisiti 1:whippedAZ94Q wrote:
Main Objective: Obtain a 1st gen Q, Modify said Q, just to drive around. I've always wanted to do this, I've owned a 94. I've ALWAYS wanted a proper first gen with mods, assume price ISN'T an issue.
In closing.. I know this isn't practical, and will be expensive. However, I am dead serious. I am looking for the most acceleration and handling I can possibly squeeze out of this vehicle, while still retaining some driveability around the street.
I know exactly what you mean. I have more then a personal relationship with this car. It was the first "fast" car I owned. For better or worse, I street raced all the time in it. It taught me how to drive fast, what driving fast was like. Ultimately it led me to further my driving skills, and introduced racing to me. I raced countless m3s, svt cobras and various other cars in 99. After 70, none of them could pull on me, and nobody EVER believed me. The Q was amazing on the high end, and could run with cars that pulled high 90s 100 in the 1/4. I rarely lost.. I don't want to spend an astronumical sum on this car, but it's something special to me, and it's more about that, then just getting some old car and fixing it up. All the mods you mention were spot on, I'll probably end up adding sound dampening, restiching the seats, new carpet, etc... This is my tribute to this car, a car in which nobody understood or accepted, a car I love, and always will.
All that being said, I'm tempted to purchase an m45, at the end of the year. These seem to be the most in synch with the old q mantra. I love the new q as well, It's big pimping, but the M seems to retain the original spirit.
All that being said, I'm tempted to purchase an m45, at the end of the year. These seem to be the most in synch with the old q mantra. I love the new q as well, It's big pimping, but the M seems to retain the original spirit.
Oops! I forgot all about the Silver State Classic, the John Foster West Texas Open, and other open road races. Hummm?...Danisiti 1:transportAZ94Q wrote:This won't be a primary race car, as I will only race it when I can find the events to do so. When it will be raced, it will be a mix of road rallys and road courses.