Q45 differentiation

[anotheraznguy]

hi, i am interested in purchasing a 90-93 q45.my main concern is..

how can i differentiate between a q45, q45t and i believe a q45a...is there anywhere that says it?

Also does anyone have in depth pictures of the actual suspension front and rear.i am looking to add coilovers and replace all rubber with solid heim joint links.

One last questions. has anyone dropped in a ls1 into this car.

It would solve the gas mileage as well as the bad chain guides as well as the faulty injectors and maf issues this car inherintly has.

Thank you very much any help would be greatly appreciated

[Q45tech]

How would a 5.7 liter engine swap improve on fuel economy vs a 4.5 liter one? If you had unlimited choices in transmission and diff gears other than the improvement a manual transmission might provide you would be very lucky to get close to the 4.5 fuel economy..............in theory the 20% larger engine could turn 20% lower rpm at cruise but the 5.7 would consume more just idling at the same rpm.

I can assure you that the old Caprice 5.7 V8 Police car got much worse mileage than the Q does in equal situations............pretty much about vehicle weight.

[AZhitman]

zerothread?id=127509

Sounds like you've got unlimited funds, since the wiring alone will cost you a fortune... not to mention the cost of the LS1, the transmission, custom linkage, motor mounts, trans mounts, custom driveshaft, throttle linkage and engine management...

But unlimited money = unlimited potential, so here's some help.

Have never seen coilovers (in the US) for an older Q, just the 97-01.

Certainly no real good reason for them, and you'd spend more than the car is worth if you could find them.

Replacing all rubber with solid bushings / links? Not sure why you'd want to do that either. Polyurethane makes the ride harsh enough as it is.

Nissan injectors will last 10x as long as GM injectors. Same with the MAF. Gas mileage is no worse in a Q than in any V8 luxury car, and it's certainly better than an LS1-powered 4000-lb car.

[Rex]

Look for Wes, he may be able to tell you what character place and value in the VIN define t, a, TCS, etc.

The swap is a neat idea, but unless you have an "free" motor and a lot of equipment/skill to fabricate, you'd easily be very upside down with a non-running car.

Now, replacing the injectors, and using some additives (in you part of the world) will help. And the guides are a 1 time fix.

[erbe]

http://www.horsepowerfreaks.co...overs

[Rex]

http://www.horsepowerfreaks.co...overs

i

Those coilovers overs appear to be for 97-01 Q's, when I cfoollowed the 2nd link. Do you know for sure if they offer them for the G50?

Thanks for help.

[Jeff Williams]

The active has hydraulic lines running to the front struts. It is easy to see, when you open the hood.

The touring was basically the standard Q with different sway bars. It sounds like you will be changing all that, anyway.

As far as the LS1 swap. It could be done. With the engine management system the Q has, you might want to look for a 96, since it is OBDII, but still a wiring nightmare, unless you don't care about all the crature comforts of the Q. Just rip out all the wiring and start with a Painless wiring harness for the LS1.

[anotheraznguy]

Actually, I work at a shop out here in California..I do have the ability to fabricate up whatever is necessary, whether it be motor mounts or new oil pans and such. I would be saving money by doing labor and wiring myself. It would mostly be cost of parts. Parts can be had grand total of approximately 5k dollars including a new drive shaft and parts to convert the Q to a manual transmission using a tilton clutch/brake setup.

I definitely am looking for coilovers, I rode in my friends on 92 Q45 and although the car was surprisingly agile for one of its age and weight. I would have to say that coilovers will produce the ride that I am looking for. Is the suspension a double wishbone setup front and independent multi link rear like the Z32? Or is it something totally different?

I do fully understand that the car will ride harsher with the heim joints but I am more than willing to sacrafice the ride for superior handling.

Also the late model Camaro/Firebird LS1's had good gas mileage compared to that of a Q45. In Manual trim a LS1 is rated at 19 mpg city and 28 mpg hwy.Where as the Q45 in automatic trim is 16 mpg and 22 mpg respectively.

Not only that, But to produce any serious amount of horsepower out of the Q45 will be harder than it would be with a Ls1. With that motor, open up a jegs or summit catalog and order what you need. Not only is it cheaper it is also readily available.

I also have a 350z daily driver for right now, But the Q45 is a great candidate as a replacement as it is a 4 door 5 seater with great trunk space. Something that is really lacking in the 350z

I have another car that is pretty well worked up.

MY other car is a track only 240sxCustom Ka24de turboWith full roll cage as well as complete suspension

[erbe]

i

Those coilovers overs appear to be for 97-01 Q's, when I cfoollowed the 2nd link. Do you know for sure if they offer them for the G50?

Thanks for help.

You're right, sorry

[Jeff Williams]

Nice looking car. I would look better with a front bumper...

It would be easier and cheaper to swap out the V8 for the twint turbo V6 and manual transmission out of a Z32. With bigger turbos and such, you can get 600 RWHP fairly economically, and you would still be running all NISSAN parts.

[anotheraznguy]

Ok here comes another post.I was reading up on this thread zerothread?id=145506It stated that all the hard suspension links for the Z32 would work on the Q45 as well. That is great news. Next on the subject it stated that the shocks and springs would not work at all.

1) I was wondering if the lower portion of a z32 shock will bolt into both front and rear of the Q45?

2) If it does bolt in, is the shaft length shorter on the z32 than on the Q45. If so how much shorter is the Z32 or vice versa?

3) Does the upper mounts on both the Q and the Z match up or is there slight or major discrepancies?

Thank you for helping me out a lot.

[anotheraznguy]

Nice looking car. I would look better with a front bumper...

It would be easier and cheaper to swap out the V8 for the twint turbo V6 and manual transmission out of a Z32. With bigger turbos and such, you can get 600 RWHP fairly economically, and you would still be running all NISSAN parts.

Hey Jeff, one of the major reasons why swapping a VG30DETT is out of the question is simple, COST. The motor and transmission can easily be had. That is not the issue. The issue comes to when I would need to replace a turbo or anything else. New turbos are not cheap, neither is all the support pieces such as a new engine management as well a turbo timers, gauges, newer injectors, a front mount intercooler. The VG30 is without a doubt a great motor. But price for price, power for power the Ls1 is the best bang for buck swap out there. I am not biased. I love my nissans, I’ve owned a maxima, 3 240sx’s, as well as a 350z.

[anotheraznguy]

Also here are some pictures of my 240sx with the front bumper on =)

[Jeff Williams]

Very Nice! Love the stance.

I know the feeling of the LS1 first hand. Here's my toy:

[AZhitman]

Good-looking 240 - We have almost the same wheels... Mine (on my KA-t convertible) are the previous-generation Works with the flat (not stepped) lip.

Time to relocate all that wiring and get it out of the engine bay. I just did mine and it looks great.

OK, back to the Q:Keep in mind that comparing mileage figures to an F-bodied LS1 car is irrelevant - those cars weigh less than the Q.

Also, converting to a manual trans means finding a place for the clutch pedal, relocating the E-brake, building a new console (since the shifter will be further forward), relocating the brake cylinder, finding a place for the clutch MC... *whew*.

You're right on the power tho. Most we've seen out of one is around 450hp on 8 lbs of boost. The VH45DE loves boost though, and 5 psi is well within the capacity of the stock ECU.

Please don't think we're dissing your plans - But we've seen it for nearly a decade: "I'm gonna take a Q45 and do XYZ to it!"

Never happens. Fun to talk about, but never happens.

[anotheraznguy]

Az hitman. By no means do i think that you are throwing my plans down the wayside. I actually like all the constructive criticism as it does help me to plan for what I would like to do. We do have experience w/ Ls1’s into other carsWe’ve done it onto a 240sx, a Fc Rx7 and a Fd Rx7.Hopefully all will fare well for us. So anyone have more insight onto the suspension?

[IntensePower.com]

Thread jack -

I miss you josh.

[G50 Q]

Az hitman. By no means do i think that you are throwing my plans down the wayside. I actually like all the constructive criticism as it does help me to plan for what I would like to do. We do have experience w/ Ls1’s into other carsWe’ve done it onto a 240sx, a Fc Rx7 and a Fd Rx7.Hopefully all will fare well for us. So anyone have more insight onto the suspension?

O gheez I'm assuming this is AutoRnD's pathetic attempt to try and get into the "vip style". Have fun putting a ls1 in it... a VG would be much more fun imo.

[anotheraznguy]

G50 Q please do not hi-jack this thread.

[G50 Q]

Was i hi-jacking? I didn't realize... I could have sworn i said a VG (vg30det, not tt) would be a much nicer swap than a ls1. Not to mention I was giving my opinion... is that against the rules? I was unaware.

[anotheraznguy]

O gheez I'm assuming this is AutoRnD's pathetic attempt to try and get into the "vip style".

This is the part that could be left out.

This post has nothing to do with the shop and i feel this slander is uncalled for.
Modified by anotheraznguy at 2:00 AM 12/1/2005

[G50 Q]

This is the part that could be left out.

This post has nothing to do with the shop and i feel this slander is uncalled for.

Slander? lol hardly... if anything that was very sugar coated.

[szh]

Guys, guys! Let's focus on car discussion ... it is a lot more fun!

Z

[anotheraznguy]

I agree. Back on subject.

Has anyone been able to measure or know the differences between the z32 and the q45 suspension? I do not want to go air ride or spring shock.

[FarFetched]

Have you though about new generation of Northstar with power-on-demand (4-to-8 cyl) ?That would give you great fuel economy around town and good perfromance with a flip of a switch!Cheers!

[RobertsnewQ]

RE: coilovers.

Here's what's known as far as I know:

300zx struts are approximately the same lengthspring perches are different in dia top & bot, and locate differentlylower shock mounts are the sameupper shock mounts are different in front (dunno about rear)R32 skyline upper mounts APPEAR to be the same (but no one has tried to swap)R32 skyline lower mounts are unknown, but likely same or similar.

All front and rear suspension parts are interchangeable with 300zx except subframes & swaybars (1" wider).

Rear diff is not interchangeable (different axle flanges).

VG30DETT weighs MORE than VH45DE according to slim.

[anotheraznguy]

Ok great information, thanks a lot.

So here is my hypothesis, buy some 300zx coilovers front and rear.Since length is not very different we won’t worry too much about that subject. Since this is a full coilover setup I would not have to worry about spring perch upper or lower diameters. Now the upper mounts are the main issue. Are you stating that a R32 Skyline Gt-R or Gts-t has similar front and rear upper mounts? Anyone knows for certain if those will work or possibly another car? Thanks for all the help guy’s this forum is one of the best and most informative out there.

[Rex]

Ok great information, thanks a lot.

So here is my hypothesis, buy some 300zx coilovers front and rear.Since length is not very different we won’t worry too much about that subject. Since this is a full coilover setup I would not have to worry about spring perch upper or lower diameters. Now the upper mounts are the main issue. Are you stating that a R32 Skyline Gt-R or Gts-t has similar front and rear upper mounts? Anyone knows for certain if those will work or possibly another car? Thanks for all the help guy’s this forum is one of the best and most informative out there.

Thanks for the kind words.

No one (that I know of) is for sure on the skyline coilovers. Wes (elwesso) was going to have a NICO guy in Japan check, but not sure of he ever did or not. I'll make sure he sees this thread.

And thanks for the kind words, we all like it here alot.

[elwesso]

Rear diff is not interchangeable (different axle flanges).

TWIN TURBO rear diff is interchangeable... The NA had the 5 bolt, the TT had the 6 bolt.

Honestly i saw this thread and didnt catch it soon enough, so i got too lazy to read it. Ok... Heres my .02

First off, addingthe manual to the Q isnt going to be a big deal... Its even easier with the Z32 setup due to its shifter design... ITs got that kinda weird rear mount shifter instead of a stick literally coming out of the transmission... All you have to do is fabricate a new thing and you can precisely put the shifter where you want it... I measured it and I think the shifter will be right on... The tip of the shifter is like 30in away from bellhousing of the transmission..... It will come REAL close to matching up perfect, and if its too short its fine... If its too long then we run into issues.

Clutch MC will go right where the Cruise control servo is, just move it to the otherside or take itout if you dont want it.... Just drill some holes nad mount a support plate... once you move the BCM out of the way theres plenty of room...

I feel like Im calling you out Greg..... And, I guess I am.....

E brake isnt gonna be a big deal.. Just use a Z32 e- brake and make a bracket for it by the seat... The E brake cables go right next to the drivers seat... Cool how that works out, eh? i reckon if oyu wanted to you could just rock and chop it the cable and hook it up to a lever...

The MT should bolt up to the factory mounting points, and with that being said, the twin turbo driveshaft has the same spline pattern as the Q.....

SO basically, the MT bolts up with adapter plate, no fabrication to mount it to the car, driveshaft is a non issue, all you have to do (i use that term lightly) is make sure the shifter goes in right (it should).. weld in a plate for the shifter support bracket, and then put in a clutch pedal.. The most custom fabrication I see coming out of this, at worst, is new lines for the clutch MC and slave C.... Everyone knows the flywheel bolts up, and thus we use 300ZX clutches...

Why hsant anyone done this again!!!!!!!?



G50 Q- Knock it off....... ill delete posts, but we'll leave em for now, but hopefully you got everything you wanted to say out... Dont appreicate that sort of negative comments, or at least the way you chose to say it.

About the coilovers: Ive ruled out using Z32 coilovers since the mounts are so much different... Yes, you can make them work, is it worht it? I doubt it. R32s should be a direct swap from what I can tell from looking at service manuals... Ive posted the diagrams somewhere, i know what they look like, if your interested search and ye shall find..... worst case I see with that is having to tweak the adjustments..... The shocks may be slightly longer on the Q...

[RobertsnewQ]

Actually I think you would not have to move the parking brake, unless the cable is in the way. It's pretty far to the left. The new Caddy CTS has it that way, doesn't it?

And as for the diff, I THOUGHT the TT has the "3 pairs of 2" bolt pattern rather than the 6 evenly spaced pattern.

The R33 GTR rear apparently works with a 4.1 - Wasn't that AZNs finding?