q45 wheel upgrade

[sancem]

I just replaced the tension rods and upper stabilizer links on my car. Now I 'd like to upgrade the stock 15 inch wheels on my 1994 q45. I have a choice between OEM 18 inchers off of a M45 or OEM 16 inchers off a G35.

1. Would both fit? 2. Would the 18 inchers be too much of a ride qulaity sacrifice? 3. Would the 16 inchers be too small of a handling improvement to be worth the trouble? Some advice would be welcome, thanks.

On an unrelated note my driver seat works except for the seat back recline. I was told when I bought the car it was a bad module. 4. What module controls the seat recline function?

[AlabamaDan]

I need to replace the tension rods and upper stabilizer links on my 94 Q. Was it hard? What all is involved? Where can I get a play by play on this?

[AZhitman]

Both wheel choices will fit.

However, the 16" offers far more choices in the stock diameter (26") at the proper load rating (95). I have 16's with 255/50ZR16's and they totally transformed the car.

They look cool too.

[Rex]

The ebay sticky is at the top and contains most of our ebay ID's so we don't bid against each other. Common courtesy is to not run each other out of an auction. Though Jeff Williams kindly agreed to let me have a set of sweet Gunmetal grey 17 inch takeoff's now on ebay. I will wait until they go over his max bid.

[ardvarkus]

I need to replace the tension rods and upper stabilizer links on my 94 Q. Was it hard? What all is involved? Where can I get a play by play on this?

I just replace the tension rod BUSHINGS...not the whole rod! Saves $100 or so.

These are easy to replace- 1/2" sockets, breaker bar, torque wrench.

If you don't have a press (or aren't skilled with a vise) have a local auto parts machine shop press out the old tension bushings and pop in the new.

Final tightening with the car loaded and suspension on the ground. Alignment when done..

A

[szh]

I just replaced the tension rods and upper stabilizer links on my car. Now I 'd like to upgrade the stock 15 inch wheels on my 1994 q45. I have a choice between OEM 18 inchers off of a M45 or OEM 16 inchers off a G35.

1. Would both fit? 2. Would the 18 inchers be too much of a ride qulaity sacrifice? 3. Would the 16 inchers be too small of a handling improvement to be worth the trouble? Some advice would be welcome, thanks.

The G35 OEM 16" may have the wrong width to be useful - I forget their size. If they are 7.5" or 8" (which I doubt), then it is worth it. If 7", then the tire choices are a bit limited and you would be better off with the 18" wheels.

The M45 OEM 18" are 7.5" and this will allow you to use 245/45-18 tires - a nice fit for a Q, of course! Of course, the 18" will be a bit rougher ride, since you will have less sidewall, but the handling improvement may be quite worth it. IMO, I think the 18" M45 wheels are a better fit.

Z

[90Q45blue]

I want the 18" G35 wheels sooooo bad. They look amazing.

Nick

[maxnix]

IMO, I think the 18" M45 wheels are a better fit.

Z

I'll weigh in here and say I think the OEM 18" wheels are not wide enough to mount tires of the minimum required load rating of 95. For the Michelin Pilot Sport, the tires required are:

255/40YR18 95Y SL 220 AA A 1521lbs. 51psi 10/32nds 8.5-9" 9" 10.2" NA 25.9" 770 255/40YR18 99Y XL 220 AA A 1709lbs. 51psi 10/32nds 8-9.5" 9" 10.2" NA 26" 803

AS you can see, the minimum wheel rim width required is .5" - 1" greater than the 7.5" rim width of the OEM wheel for the F50 and Y34.

[Jeff Williams]

I would go wit hthe 17" x 7.5" or 8" width. There are literally thousands of tires that will fit.

[SurfinGator]

I noticed on the Ebay listings that these are not OEM wheels, but after market. I used to restore old performance cars, I learned after market wheels were a big problem. They don't align or balance and will go out of true the instant you touch a curb.

Because of that, I am hesitant to make a bid on any of these. Which leaves me searching for OEM wheels off internet junk yards ....

Can someone either fill me in on the quality of these after markets or point me to a place to get OEM wheels?

thanks!

[AZhitman]

Why not just check out TireRack?

<---------- Click it and see what they have!

[szh]

I'll weigh in here and say I think the OEM 18" wheels are not wide enough to mount tires of the minimum required load rating of 95.

...

the minimum wheel rim width required is .5" - 1" greater than the 7.5" rim width of the OEM wheel for the F50 and Y34.

Hmmm ... on the 18" x 7.5" M45 OEM wheels (which is what I think is one of the options asked about here), a 245/45-18 will fit very well and provide a reasonably close match on the rolling diameter. Although, your size would be a closer fit, I agree!

And this is a very common tire size, so there are a number of tires that make the grade. Including the load index values necessary for a Q!

The Michelin Pilot Sport (and the A/S) you mention are just one of a few good tires in this size. You all can check out Tire Rack. Here is a representative list of tires (some are not available Tire Rack, of course):

Bridgestone Potenza RE050 245/45-18 100Y 140 A A 1764lbs. 50psi NABridgestone Potenza RE050 245/45-18 96Y 140 A A 1565lbs. 51psi 11/32 7.5" - 9.0"Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position 245/45-18 96Y 220 AA A 1565lbs. 51psi 10/32 7.5" - 9.0"Continental ContiExtremeContact 245/45-18 96W 400 AA A 1565lbs. 44psi 10/32 7.5" - 9.0"Continental ContiSportContact 2 245/45-18 100W 280 A A 1764lbs. 51psi 10/32 NAContinental ContiSportContact 2 245/45-18 96Y 280 A A 1565lbs. 51psi 10/32 NAContinental ContiTouringContact CH95 245/45-18 96H 360 A A 1565lbs. 44psi 10/32 7.5" - 9.0"Falken Azenis ST115 245/45-18 100W 360 A A 1764lbs. 50psi 10/32 7.5" - 9.0"Falken Beta FK-451 245/45-18 96Y 280 AA A 1565lbs. 51psi 10/32 7.5" - 9.0"Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 245/45-18 96Y 280 AA A 1566lbs. 10/32 7.5" - 9.0"Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 245/45-18 96Z 280 AA A 1566lbs. 10/32 7.5" - 9.0"Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 245/45-18 96V 300 A A 1565lbs. 44psi 10/32 7.5" - 9.0"Michelin Pilot Sport 245/45-18 100Y 220 AA A 10/32 7.5" - 9.0"Michelin Pilot Sport 245/45-18 96W 220 AA A 1565lbs. 51psi 10/32 7.5" - 9.0"Michelin Pilot Sport 245/45-18 96Y 220 AA A 1565lbs. 51psi 10/32 7.5" - 9.0"Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 245/45-18 96Y 400 AA A 1565lbs. 51psi 11/32 7.5" - 9.0"Nitto 555 Extreme Performance 245/45-18 100W 300 A A Pirelli P-Zero 245/45-18 96Y 220 AA A 1565lbs. 51psi 10/32 7.5" - 9.5"Toyo Proxes T1-S 245/45-18 96W 280 AA A 1565lbs. 44psi 10/32 7.5" - 9.5"

On these tires, the minor rolling diameter error is such that an indicated 60mph wiill be a real 61 to 62mph. Not a big deal, IMO!

Z

[SurfinGator]

Why not just check out TireRack?

Thanks, cool site!

.... if I buy non OEM it probably will be from Tire Rack. Awesome selection and good prices.

But an important thing I learned from HiPo restoration ... if it isn't OEM, don't put it on your car. Realizing I am not going to get a wheel circa 1992 for my Q that I like, the next best thing would be another Q wheel from year that would fit. Failing that, at least an Infiniti wheel from another model that fits.

Like a 65 Malibu Super Sport I had a few years back with 66 SS spinners ... all the moto heads knew they were the wrong wheel for that car, I couldn't count how many actually clued that and mentioned it to me .... but even they were tossed at how sweet it looked.

What I am hoping to do with the Q .....

[AZhitman]

Gator - Check out my car in Member's Rides with 99 Q45 16's.

[maxnix]

Like a 65 Malibu Super Sport I had a few years back

Had one of those (for a year, during which it fell apart), but all I remember OEM were hubcaps for steel wheels.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[SurfinGator]

64-66 Malibu's just had hub caps, even the rare 66 396 used steel wheels and hubbies. I never understood why Chevy didn't option a wheel for that car .... the want a true sports car buy a Vette thing? Ford optioned all kinds of caps/wheels for the Mustangs ... Chevy got on board the next year, and changed the body style of the Malibu. Which was cool, I like the 67s.

66 SS Impalas optioned a styled steel wheel with three prong spinners and a small SS badge inside... she was sweetness with those wheels.

Sorry your's toasted .... I know you would like her back though. I miss mine.

Power steering power brakes bucket seats center console dealer air ... and a 283 with double pump heads ... in a 1966 car. Sweetness.

[SurfinGator]

Gator - Check out my car in Member's Rides with 99 Q45 16's.

You are the man! Exactly what I wanted to do ....



I love those wheels. The dealer's parts guy here told me the earlier model Q wheels probably wouldn't fit my 92, but now I am realizing that BS.

here are the ones I was considering hunting out ...

[Rex]

You are the man! Exactly what I wanted to do ....

[IMG]here are the ones I was considering hunting out ...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, sweetness. Good Luck and watch out, I think there is a recall for the 5 spoke from the 99 or 2000's that's only honored on the original equip car .

[AZhitman]

My 16's will be for sale in the next couple months...

[redmanfx]

My 16's will be for sale in the next couple months...

How much? Call me interested.

red:D

[AZhitman]

Keep your eyes peeled, it won't be long. They're not perfect, but they're round and true, and look good to anyone who doesn't know where the minor flaws are. I actually have 5 wheels, one needs rechroming.

I'm having a REAL wheel/tire dilemma right now....

17's or 18's? 18's will set me back another $500 (which I don't really have), but I REALLY want 18's...

[Rex]

The 18's will set you back more now and every year when you replace the tires. I contemplated 18's myself, but after I found that deal on the 6-spoke Q take off's with nearly new tires, it was an easier decision.

18's are cool, but if you don't plan on selling the car the 17's are the much smarter $$ choice for continued ownership.