VH45DE year differences?

[born2shift]

I am about to get a VH45DE from Foreign Engines in Wa. They have 3 1989 models only from Japan. Does that mean they do not have the VTC? The lady could not tell me. She said it was from 8/89-8/90. Should I stick with 90-95 only? Thanks.

[SanCarlosQ45]

The 1989 they have would be a 1990 in the US, so its basically the same as the 1990-1992. The Japanese base there model years on the year of production rather than the US which adds a year for some stupid reason. So my 1994 US would really be a 1993 in Japan.

If your talking about variable valve timing then yes they do have it, the only ones that didn't are the US 96' model.

What are you using this engine for? A swap or are you replacing the engine in a Q? I have had a good experience with foreign engine, but that was with a 94'(93 in Japan) motor. Depending on what your doing you have to watch out for quite a few subtle differences, especially under the plenum. It could be also I have a california car which has a few extra hoses the federal cars dont have. I can give you a better idea of the differences once I know what your doing with the motor.

[Q451990]

The 90-93 engines are essentially the same - check/replace the plastic timing chain guides. The valves were sodium filled on the earlier engines but I'm not sure when that stopped.

94-95 have slightly different intake designs and electrical connections and an updated injector design. 96 is the most different with the deleted VVT.

Heath

[born2shift]

I was going to put it into a 1991 Q45 California model. Then rebuild that one for the 240SX later on. Foreign Engines only has 1989 VH45DEs in stock. I totally did not think about the emissions differences of the JDM vs California model engine.

Should I try and get the same year engine for the 1991 Q45 swap instead? Or how about a 1993-1995 because of the timing chain guides and injectors?

What mods can I do to make the JDM VH45DE work in California for emissions?

Thanks for the confirmation on the VTC (VVT) on the 1989 VH45DE. I feel a lot better.

[SanCarlosQ45]

Just swap over all of the parts, this includes all of the hard vacuum lines under the plenum and also the egr system. When I got mine from them most of the stuff on the outside of the engine was missing anyways so I had to swap everything. Just keep in mind you will have to pull the plenum on the new one regardless of what year you get, for example there is a cluster of vacuum hard lines that run from the front of the engine to the back under the plenum. If you look under the black covers in front of the drivers side valve cover you'll see what I'm talking about. Our california cars have four or five hard lines, the JDM only had one because it does have the two vacuum operated solenoids.

I would try and get a 90-93 because there are slight differences in connectors, I think one is the Crank angle sensor but I'm not positive. You'll have a hard time finding any of the JDM engines for less than $1000 anymore, so they may be your only choice if your set on JDM. I got the last 94' they had, cost $295 which is cheap.

Are you in California? SF Bay Area by chance?

[Brew Q]

I'd search high and low for a U.S. '94-95 before I'd touch a '89-92 JDM -- too many things on those to replace/ check...plastic guides, inferior injectors, etc. Oh and I drive a '92, lol. but honestly if this motor ever craps out on me I'd find a '94 or '95 in the states - either pick n pull or ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/94-95-INFINITI- ... 87&vxp=mtr

and this one a '94 with 98k for $700 shipped:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/94-1994-Infinit ... 3a&vxp=mtr

[born2shift]

Thanks for everyone's responses. I am not set on JDM. I just want a good running engine. My engine is not bad, but I do need to replace the injectors(eventually) because it is a 91. The seller said his son replaced the timing chain guides. But who really knows unless you open her up. Like I said I think after the engine flush I have some leaking. I am thinking head gasket. No overheating or power loss issues. However the white smoke and coolant level drop are pointing me in that direction.
I think I will try and get a 94-95 instead. $480 delivered to SoCal just sounded very good, but I guess when you think about injectors and the timing chain guides the 94-95 sound better.
Thanks for the finds on ebay. When I searched I could not find those specific listings. I will e-mail the sellers and ask about the compression.

[SanCarlosQ45]

The failure of both injector types are about equal especially here in California, even Q45tech commented on the number of failures, so I wouldn't consider that an upgrade. I know I'm just a single example but I've had to replace 4 of mine in the past 3 years. If you can get a hold of a US 94+ then it would be a bonus, just keep in mind you may have change certain connectors and you still want to look over the engine. With any JDM engine you'll want to look over it completly, even with my 94' I checked the chains and guides since it is extremly easy when its out of the car. I dropped the pan to check for broken plastic and I pulled the plenum to check the knock sensors and the harnesses. No matter what engine you get both US or JDM, to do it right you'll want to clean and check everything you can while its easy to do so, so swapping things over during this process doesn't take any more effort.

Since your in SoCal, Capitol Auto Wrecking in Gardena has a 94' with 38k for $550, search in car-part.com for a 94 with no Active suspension and no traction control. This is the one I was thinking of getting, but I got the last 94 or 95 from foreign engine.

[born2shift]

SanCarlosQ45 Thanks so much for the 94 VH45DE with 38,000 miles! I just picked it up. The price was without accessories like alternator, power steering and A/C. I put a deposit on the accessories and will pick those up in a week or two. However it looked GREAT! It was really clean inside as well. Apparently it was there for 7 years. I don't think I will give them back a core though. My 1991 VH45DE only has less than 80K. So I will replace ALL the gaskets and some hoses on this 94 VH45DE then swap it out and see what the 1991 really looks like inside and maybe put that one into the 240SX SE.

Oh as far as Foreign Engines in Washington. I cancelled my order today for their 1989 VH45DE. They have some real sales lines. At first they only had 1 1989 left I was told on Friday. I was also told they would not get anymore. Then I was told on Saturday they had 3 1989 and just got a shipment. Then today I was told they had a 1994 or 1995 but it was in their other shop. In any case I have a feeling they tell many of their customers that they only have one left.

[SanCarlosQ45]

No problem, glad to help.

Make sure you do all of the difficult jobs while its out of, plus 7 years of sitting does do damage to some of the hoses and seals. So valve cover gaskets, all vacuum lines, spark plugs, and O2 sensors are recommended to be replaced. Rockauto is your friend.