Q45 timing chain replacement or '94 motor swap???

Post by **s14=pimpin'** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

hey guys, just posting for a friend who recently purchased a '91 Q45. After reading over this site for the past couple days, we realised about the big timing chain guide issues. Did some research, and he is planning on doing the guide replacement himself, but, after calling a few local shops, he got a quote for a Jspec VH45 motor for $2000 CDN, $700 for install ($350 if we poll the motor ourselves).

So what do you guys think? New 94 motor sounds like a sweet deal.

Also, to eliminate the transmission taking off in 2nd, could just the ECU be replaced to a '94 ECU, or would we need the transmission as well (were quoted $1000 CDN for transmission)? The existing transmission is in good shape, except for the fact that it takes off in 2nd, would like to know if we might be able to keep it. I know about the JWT chip, was just wondering what other alternatives there were.

thanks guys

Post by **Q45tech** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

The 94 Q engine has diffferent harness/ CAS/ other things from 90-93. besides ecu. There will be 1st/2nd shift differences unless the ecu/tcu are matched.Generally there are lots of things that need replacing on a Jspec take out before you swap to avoid future labor for plenum removal these things add up to $1000 US for parts[ks. harness, hoses, water pump, plugs, new valve cover gaskets, exhaust manifolds, etc, etc. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,plus about 30 hours labor.

Post by **SOCAL91Q45a** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

For the trans .. seems like the best alternative is an aftermarket trans cooler, and the JWT Chip.

As for the guides ... if your planning on doing them yourself, why get the new[er] USED 94 motor?

All the best

SOCAL

Post by **AZhitman** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

Chimpin', where you been, dawg?

Good to know you haven't enlisted in the RCMP or died from an STD.

Post by **BIONICQ45** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

"RCMP"???

Post by **Rex** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

It's generally agreed by most that the savings inherent in buying a94 motor (they are easier to get than 90-93's) and not worth the HUGE hassle and expense ( $1000's) you incur in addtion to motr price and install.

many arent sure it cant be done w/o drivability problems.

Fred...

Post by **s14=pimpin'** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

hey arizona fatman, i got this rash behind my.........

whoops, getting a little off topic here

LOL

thanks for the replies guys, but just to clarify things, 1994 motor was quoted at $2700 INSTALLED ($2350 if we pull out the old motor). After doing extensive research on the '91 motor (great job BTW with the articles guys) many of the parts listed just to do the timing chain guide job ourselves ran up a bill of close to $1000 US (which is many beans and marbles in my country). So, with the exchange, using your prices on parts (haven't called a local nissan shop for CDN prices, but i trust you guys) parts alone will run about $1500 CDN. for an additional $1200 CDN, we can get a '94 motor, with metal guides and possibly less KM than our existing motor installed.

After changing the spark plugs, we both realise this motor is no KA24DE!!! FSM in hand and all, this motor is not easy to work on, we both know this, which is why spending the couple grand to get a new bullet proof motor installed is very tempting. The shop also gives a 3 month warranty with their motor/ install. Figure thats enough time for something to go wrong.

So, I'm really just asking what path you more experienced Q45 owners would take, if you were in our shoes. Source the replacement parts, and do the timing chain guide job ourselves (since the existing motor and transmission runs great) do the JWT chip and transmission cooler, or spend the little extra money, and get the '94 motor installed, with possibly the transmission? I figure a good shop (these guys only deal with Jsepc motors and installs, not too sure their knowledge on the VH45 motor though) would know how to properly install a motor and transmission, is matching the ECU with the TCU hard Q45TECH? Sorry for all the questions, but we are nebs on this vehicle, my pal has only had it for a couple weeks now, but loves the ride and wants to keep it (although he planned on selling it asap to make a quick $$$).

So, there it is. Seems like the majority of you are leaning towards the guide replacement over the Jspec motor install, but again, a shop will install the motor, with warranty, where as we would replace the guides ourselves, but it seems like we will only be saving $1000 or so, and be spending a week or 2 doing the job. I personally think the JSPEC motor swap would be the better route (we can probably sell the old '91 motor to make back some funds as well) but you really don't know what troubles may occur with a JSPEC motor. Has anyone installed one, that you guys know of? Generally, what are the problems that come with installing a '94 motor/ transmission set on a '91 chassis? All our research has led us to believe the '94 + motor and transmission's are bullet proof, which is why we even enquired about the motor swap. And WTF is a plenum? Is it called something else in the FSM?

OK, sorry 'bout the long run on sentences, but i will be back with more Q45 related questions soon.

thanks again!

Post by **BIONICQ45** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

S14=Huxtable

The plenum is the spider looking metallic contraption pictured on top of the engine. Replace the guides and be done with it. Welcome back!

Post by **Jesda** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

The motor -is- bulletproof. Just do the guides and youre in business.

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

It is not possible to swap in a 94 motor for that price even if motor was junk and tehrefore free.

All the rewirign new parts for engine and <CUSTOM> harness makes a 94 installation into a 90-93 costprohibitive.

If shop dosnt understand the differences between a 94 and a 90-93 I am not sure if I want thm to do an intsall which is certain to be a butcher job (thats assuming they can do it which I doubt months later it'be like "sorry guy here your money and car back).

parts for guides complete set with ALL parts are approx 450 USD from Joe at http://www.infinitipartsusa.com/Default2.asp

Ask for HJoe and you will get a NICO discount.

The guide job is not easy and can be screwed up get with DAEDALUS for guidance.

OR, try to get the shop to do the guides for you good price for that is 1200-1300 USD parts included.

Fred...

Post by **s14=pimpin'** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

hey bionic, whats going on???? Thats the plenum, thought it was a fancy shmancy manifold of some sort. Thanks for clearing it up.

Fred, I swear to you this was their price. They have a motor, in stock, and want 2g's CDN for it. They claim it has 50 000KM's on it, and it looks/ runs like new. They import strictly Japanese motors, and I have had a friend purchase a sweet s14 SR20DET blacktop from them.

The local infiniti dealer up here, has no clue what the timing chain guide job is for. I figure, the guides start breaking now, 10 years after the car was built. Who brings their 10 year old car to the dealer for servicing?

It might be a bit of a task, but if we were gonna replace the guides, we will be doing it ourselves, and we will be seeking out advice if and when we do find a hurdle. I will search for daedalus, thanks again for the heads up. I just want to make sure the right decision is made before taking on this job.

So Fred and others, if this shop is serious about their offer, and are competant enough to do the job, would you take their offer? Sorry, but the offer does seem really good to pass up on.

thanks once again Q45 masters

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

Even Byron at T3 one of the most competent VH45de techs in the country, did not feel completely comfortable to custom make a fit to put a 91 into a 94.

I am certain your shop doesnt understand what they are getting into.

There were acouple of members here in the last 2 years who claimed to have put a 94+95 Engine into an earlier Q successfully, but little has been heard of it since.

But little detail is known.

Ask your shop if they understand that for the wiring , CAS etc they are basically looking at a custom install and do they have a 94/ ECU, TCU combo just in case it turns out it's needed as I suspect?

If they can do what they say its a smashing deal I just dont think it will happen, w/o them losing their shirt in too much labor.

And when they are doing more than they bargained for what are the chances they will spedn teh time to do a lot of the extra small things you should do to make sure the engine will live well ( new plenum hoses etc).

Fred..

PS: Joe can give you the price I mentioned call him1-888-216-5328

Post by **s14=pimpin'** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

thanks again Fred, I'll be sure to really give the shop a hard time before letting my buddy hand over the keys to them. It seems, more likely, that we will replace the guides rather than get the motor swapped,our only concern now is, winter is fast approaching, and our estimated time of completion is pretty damn long.

Oh, it seems as if parts are a hell of alot cheaper up north than they are down south. My friend was quoted $600 CDN for all the necessary parts. But I will keep Joe's #, thanks.

Paul

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

Call Joe for the "EXACT" parts list.It includes all those little special $2 bolts that you <dont> want to your shop subsitituing for, sometimes the old ones are better to replace.

Alos oil pump chain and oil pump chain guides are in there ( almost free labor once the cover is off.

Maybe the shop can do the guides if they are good enough to feel comfy with an install.

Fred..

Post by **DAEDALUS** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:34 pm

Confirmation's a good idea, but here's a good primer:

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....31966

Q45 timing chain replacement or '94 motor swap???

Q45 timing chain replacement or '94 motor swap???

Nissan Forums

Infiniti Forums

Datsun Forums

Technical Forums

Classifieds / Marketplace

Nissan Motorsports

General Forums