Things to think about on your Q

[JoshIsSciFi]

What crisis? It's $1.97 a gallon for Premium here...

[Falkdesigns]

Intakes seem to squeeze hp - about 5-10 - out of just about ANY motor you put them on (provided it's a good quality, well made unit).

That said, my main concern is with the oil on the air-filter screwing up my MAF and the MAF is not cheap.

[Jesda]

Your tellin me that a group of engineers, with degrees in all this, didn't know that plastic wouldn't fail under intense heat and stress like 7k rpm out of a V8?

Yes, I am.

The same applies to engineers at DaimlerChrysler, Jaguar, BMW, Toyota, Volkswagen, and elsewhere.

[Jesda]

What crisis? It's $1.97 a gallon for Premium here...

I'm referring to the VERY SIGNIFICANT oil crisis that hit before you and I were born. Think OPEC, Jimmy Carter, catalytic converters. Dramatic design changes that swept the auto industry came about when efficiency was suddenly emphasized.

[PoorManQ45]

The awful chain guide problem affected about 1% of all VH45DEs during their expected life cycle. The Qs that you and I own are FAR BEYOND their expected life cycle. To keep a car this long, you are going beyond factory expectations for longetivity, and accepting the possibility of mechanical failures, thus the need for meticulous maintenance and care.

Expected lifespan? Don't mention that to D.O.T. That is called planed obsolecence. And in the USA, that is an illegal legal Business practice.

Vehicles should not be built with an "Expected Lifespan". As Q45Tech has stated before, vehicles can last forever if properly maintained. ANd oh, replacing the Timing chain guides is not part of proper maintenence.

[Jesda]

Expected lifespan? Don't mention that to D.O.T. That is called planed obsolecence. And in the USA, that is an illegal legal Business practice.

Vehicles should not be built with an "Expected Lifespan". As Q45Tech has stated before, vehicles can last forever if properly maintained. ANd oh, replacing the Timing chain guides is not part of proper maintenence.

You are warping the intent of the law.

Automotive manufacturers are NOT REQUIRED to design a car to last beyond the warranty! What happens beyond that point depends on design factors and how willing you are to invest your time and energy!

[DAEDALUS]

PMQ Ya just stole my reply lol. Every person that knows about engines will say that Torque gets you moving, HP gets you faster. I will agree torque is what matters off the line, but past the 1/4 mile, hell even the 1/8th mile, its HP that does the work. And btw, why do they rate jet engines as HP?

Horsepower does not "do the work" at higher speeds. F = m*a guys, no matter what speed you're at. Acceleration is what you feel. F is *directly* proportional to torque. Not horsepower. Torque is directly tied to acceleration and straight-line performance. Horsepower is somewhat related (via RPM). Honda's have decent horsepower...at 8300 RPM. It takes a while to get there and you just don't feel the kick in the pants. The S2000 has 240 PEAK hp (great!) but only 153 ft-lbs torque. It weights less than 2800 lbs yet takes over 15 seconds in the quarter.

Be careful about quoting numbers form 60's cars. The rating system was different then. Engines weren't measured while powering their own accessories...alt, water pump, power steering, etc.

Edit: BTW, 289 cu. in. = 4.85L, 396 cu. in. = 6.5L. Knock down 10-20% for accessories, then compare torque/L.

[JoshIsSciFi]

I'm referring to the VERY SIGNIFICANT oil crisis that hit before you and I were born. Think OPEC, Jimmy Carter, catalytic converters. Dramatic design changes that swept the auto industry came about when efficiency was suddenly emphasized.

It wasn't about efficiency, Jesda, it was about some nutcases saying that the world was going to be suffocated by all the exhaust, and about Democrats appeasing the Oil Rich Nations(Don't even start on politics, I said it, leave it at that), 1974 saw the bitter end of muscle cars, because they had to pass emissions test, thus why the power rating of them suddenly plummeted, yet, in 1973 the Trans-Am managed 19mpg... I wonder how that happened..... and our Qs get maybe 20... hmm...

[Jesda]

As much as I tend to blame the left for a lot of economic troubles, it boils down to SUPPLY and DEMAND.

Economics prevails over politics, religion, emotion, and force.

Regarding the Pontiac, it helps that the Trans Am weighs 700-900 lbs less than the Q45.

[JoshIsSciFi]

Economics hardly prevails over any of those. Is it economical that we not drill ANWR because of a few people trying to lie and say it is bad? Is it economical that countries in Europe are being flooded by Muslim Extremist(watch Fox News), and can't possibly support them, yet they don't do anything about it. No no, economics is hardly a driving force.

[Jesda]

I respect your view and understand exactly where youre coming from, but macroeconomic activity is determined by microeconomic influences. To not drill in ANWR is advantageous to whom? Ahh yes, Democratic politicians and their personal economic well-being.

Examples of such seemingly illogical oddities can be found on the left as well as the right.

A dismal view of the world, yes, but beauty of economics is that its a dismal science.

[JoshIsSciFi]

BTW Jesda, the 1973 Trans-Am, was Carbed, had no cats, and was 6.1L Yet, still made 19mpg

[JoshIsSciFi]

grndprx18: and the oil crisis wasnt due to lack of oilgrndprx18: the rest of the world had s**t loadsgrndprx18: like canadagrndprx18: the arabs just wouldnt ship any to JUST USgrndprx18: canada mexico rest of world didnt have long linesPsYcHo FreaK y2k: explain whygrndprx18: they were bashing us for mid east politicsgrndprx18: backing israelgrndprx18: and wanted to inflate oil prices because oil barrels price is pegged to US dollargrndprx18: prices in the world went up but their supply was never hurtgrndprx18: thus why there is a strategic oil reserve in lousiana to give US 6 months supply nowgrndprx18: if they shut off all exports to us againgrndprx18: 6 months of no US money to them would ruin their economies nowgrndprx18: so they have to play ball with us now

[elwesso]

Whoa now.....

This wont last long, i promise!!!!

However, I will bring in my words, and they could be the last words.. This is very 240 general-esque...

First of all, you all do what you like to your Q... There wil be the ones in the elite class of good maintained, very nice driving Q45.. then there will be the others...

If any of you guys want to argue with DAEDALUS about this stuff, go right ahead, he'll murder you.. He is an engineer, so unless you are, i might not suggest partaking in such activities..

Onward, which absorbs more heat? Metal, derrr It makes no sense to make an intake out of metal.. The plastic intake is very high quality.. And when will we be seeing VERY high temps for the stock airbox...

The stock intake is designed for the best MIX of performance, filtering, noise reduction, and water intrusion... I got an idea... Just put a towel over the MAF and call it a filter... Hell, screw that, your letting just as much dirt in that way.....

It seems as if the true colors of people are coming out.. We got the people over here that want to make cheap big HP, and then the people who are learned and realize that big HP is not possible without big money..... Especially on the Q, but ironically, the supercharger for the Q is MUCH less than most others.....

So heres the choice.. Either we have a decent discussion and no more flaming, or the thread goes away... its your choice gentlemen!

[PoorManQ45]

Examples of such seemingly illogical oddities can be found on the left as well as the right.

I have a left and a right hand. They come together when I clap

[PoorManQ45]

grndprx18: and the oil crisis wasnt due to lack of oilgrndprx18: the rest of the world had s**toadsgrndprx18: like canadagrndprx18: the arabs just wouldnt ship any to JUST USgrndprx18: canada mexico rest of world didnt have long linesPsYcHo FreaK y2k: explain whygrndprx18: they were bashing us for mid east politicsgrndprx18: backing israelgrndprx18: and wanted to inflate oil prices because oil barrels price is pegged to US dollargrndprx18: prices in the world went up but their supply was never hurtgrndprx18: thus why there is a strategic oil reserve in lousiana to give US 6 months supply nowgrndprx18: if they shut off all exports to us againgrndprx18: 6 months of no US money to them would ruin their economies nowgrndprx18: so they have to play ball with us now

Actually, the price of oil used to be stated in terms of the US dollar. It is now being converted to the Euro standard. And as you know, the Dollar is Failing in comparison to the Euro. This is one of the many factors causing the price of Oil to go up.

[JoshIsSciFi]

Wes, it was foretold that you would come in and shut down the thread, we aren't flaming, we ARE having a nice discussion/debate about it, and I think people are learning things, not just about other people, but about cars and #s in general, shut it down if you want, but that would be a funny thing to do in a public message system. Although its happened before...

[JoshIsSciFi]

PMQ - He was speaking in 70s time

[PoorManQ45]

Wes! You are going to go on one of your power crazed deleting trips arn't you!!

We are having a very respectable arguement here. Nobody is flaming anybody. As you will notice, the topic keeps changing, we don't stick on one subject.

Please, just sit back and watch. If things truely out of control, then delete away.

[GreenQ45a]

The fit and finish of 90% of GM & Fords cars from 1978-1996 was crap.bad plastic's changed to FWD on 65% of there models the list wil go on for days.

PMQ answer this how come the BIG 90-96 5.7 Trans Am\Formula V8 pushes out only 275-315HP and gets only 15MPG with no WOT driving?

Yet the Q45 4.5 runs @ 278HP

The Q45 was not designed for people buying the car used 10-15yrs later it was put on the market to lay down late 80's BMW's

Compair it to that car or a MB 600 but there was no GM or FORD equivalent to the Q in 1989-1996.

The closest thing Chevy could make was the Impala SS and that car was not as refined as the Q.

Show me one "US" Suspension System that can compair to my ACTIVE Q45

I was gonna buy a 1998 Caddy Eldo but 295 HP at the front wheels

I love America but the cars in the late 80's & earily 90's FU*K THAT!!!

The Corvette in 1990-96 (=1GenQ's) did not get 400HP @ 25MPG those stats are form a 2005 Corvette keep it strait it got 300 HP @ 16MPG @ 5.7L in 90-96.

The Q45 278HP @ 23MPG @4.5L

THE Q DOHC VVT 4.5 is engineered better than a 90's pushrod engine

and a 90's 4.6 "Northstar".

The US automakers only kept working with pushrod's because "DOHC V8" and "V-tech\VVT" was still under patend. and could not be put in to production for 10 years.

Now that the V8DOHC and V-Tech\VVT is no longer under us patend buy LEXUS and Infiniti your starting to see New American Bad *** DOHC V8's (like the 4.6L FORD)

But don't fool your self into thinking a 1992 Caddy is better than a 1992 Q45 and the Caddy was is good as it got for 1989-96.

keep the fight fair don't go pulling the Corvette into this it could hardly keep ahead of the 300ZXTT. 3.0L TT

[pito11213]

Now I am not going to debate any performance mods here for a few simple reasons.

1. I am not that technical2. I cannot afford some of the top mods (yet)

Wes, I have expressed in the past before about the act of locking a thread because it gets a little hot. That is just grown men and/or women having a difference of opinion.

You want flaming go to that club si site, the Si vs all thread you will see some flaming. I have defended the Q hard with no backup except from PMQ.

I do realize the Q is no monster but look rswicki who i havent heard from in a while, got some nice performance gains in his Q. And he definately went against the grain messing with the exhaust. I would love to get even a little more power.

I have a 90 Q which is apparently regarded as the more performance orientated Q. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

Wes please dont start with the threats of locking it doesnt look good.

[DR.Q]

Please don't bring Honda into this. I know plenty of Honda Civics that would literally blow the doors off of a Q45, G35, M45, and G20, having less then $10k in mods. You are just throwing them all into the category of "Big wing posers". But that is not true of all of them.

Not all of them, but about 99% of them. I've never encountered one that could come close to touching my stock SVX or Q, even off the line. The point is that people spend money on their car to try to change it into something it wasn't intended to be. But it extremely difficult and very costly to change the true essence of what was engineered at the factory. I can compare my stock Q to all these ricer Civics running around here as follows: My car is faster, handles better, brakes better, has a better ride, is more luxurious, is roomier inside, looks better(IMO), sounds better, but they do get better gas mileage and are more reliable(as HOMOCO designed them). And I spent a third as much? I point and laugh as much I can.

[Q451990]

I think this thread is staying on a respectable level - so as long as it's not an all out flame war (looked like it was headed that way in the afternoon but thankfully not) then I say let the thread run...

Heath

[1qckser]

I have to agree about the locking the thread down thing, take it easy and let the discussion go on, its actually pretty good, if you want to shut down some threads you should have done it when certain members went on personal attacks:yesnod: Anyway I think it comes down to this, people are going to do what they want to the vehicles they own, its called personalizing,It has been stated time and time again that the Q can not be made better than it came from the factory, however im here to tell you it can, If any of you ever go to Miami look up Rob and ask to take his car for a drive, or take Mark86Ts Q for a drive with all of the great suspension upgrades he has done, or come to CT and drive mine , because of all the negativity spoken when some one does a mod to the Q I have kept a lot of my stuff to myself, but if you drive it you will see I just added to the beauty of what Infiniti created, Im currently running a JUN ECU that Wes stated was causing a loss of HP because it was tuned for the higher octane in Japan and it is actaually retarding the timming , however after a call to JUN I found that this is a U.S spec ECU programmed for 93 octane fuel, and will work flawless under any conditions. I run an alcohol induction setup on the Q so I wasnt worried about the octane or the timming being retarded because the alcohol keeps the cylinder temps down and the Q gets a steady does of 94 octaneOne of the things JUN did was change the activation of the VVT and the programming is a lil more radical than the JWT program, that’s just one of a few things that would be considered going against the grain, now it has been stated numerous times that my Q or his Q is in the top 3 or top 2 best Qs on the board but statements like that should stop because you never know what the next guy has, and based on some of the nice pics in the members ride section you sure as hell cant even make a statement like that, so I side with the guys who want to make these wonderful cars a lil better, the Q by no means is a bullet out of the blocks ( until 4.08s and a converter) but once underway then watch out, so just try to pick up where the factory left off, Do quality upgrades and you will see the benefits of modding the car, just remember its not a drag car but a is a fine fine road car, and if you keep that in mind when modding it and concentrate on making its strong points even better, then you will be rewarded with a serious performer, I have a ton of aftermarket suspension stuff that is going on all in one shot and it will not compromise any of the Qs ride quality, so mod on guys and pass the knowledge along. : Big grin:

[DAEDALUS]

It has been stated time and time again that the Q can not be made better than it came from the factory, however im here to tell you it can,

That's rarely said, and if it was, it was probably meant to be followed by an unspoken but understood "without spending a moderate amount of time and/or money (or committing a crime)." Like Jesda stated the vehicle is a collection of compromises--choices that had to be made at the factory, not at the dealership nor at the owner's home. Most people don't want bare foam seats and a voucher to their local upholstery store. There's a difference between personalizing your vehicle to suit your taste, and believing that for $20 you can buy some magic white pellets to throw in your gas tank that'll increase your mileage by 20%. Sure a lot of mods have benefits. Just don't ignore the drawbacks. Cool sig BTW.

[1qckser]

I understand exactly what you are saying, thats why if you notice I stated build on what Infiniti has already created, build on the Qs strong points, if that is done and the mods are of a quaility design and not of the Tornado air intake or the fuel magnet type then things will and should be benificial if for no other reason than to make the owner happy, as QSHIP stated earlier( my Q is my 67 Mustang) thats his project and thats how I look at mine and those who have made that made that statement know who they are, Thanks for the sig compliment

[pito11213]

Yo Todd I would love to talk more about the mods you have done to your Q. I am interested to know what can be done.

I would also like to talk to Rob about the same

[Jesda]

Excellent points Todd! You have among the nicest G50s on the forum.

But going back to my original point... what may be an upgrade for one is a drawback for another. Wes and Ryan are working on a supercharger project, and currently his Q has a nitrous system. To me, both would be a disadvantage, as I prefer naturally aspirated vehicles for their longetivity and simplicity.

It probably depends on who you are. Some folks are autocrossers, some are drag racers, and some are "bling-bling." But with family and friends on both coasts and me in the middle, I'm a cross-country cruiser racking up the highway miles and soaking up the scenery at 90mph. It wont be too long until I hit 250k and 300k.

-Jesda

[1qckser]

I agree Jesda, I would not put juice on my Q, to do it correctly you need to put an nozzle in each runner so as to not get the puddling affect in the plenum that leads to destruction, a nozzle before the TB is something I wouldnt do, I have actually seen 2 Qs that have blown up from this, the charger on the other hand should be nice, but, a stock trans will not hold unless boost is set low, if your trans is showing any slow shifting and or slipping then prepare for doom, I am with you on the N/A route, a nice 350 hp all motor is what I want, I wish them luck and hope the kit turns out ok.

[Altiman94]

Daedelus, in no way shape or form does the s2000 take 15 seconds to get through the quarter. Stock 2000's routinely run hi 13's with a good driver.