What was so great about the 1990 Q45?

[hardmoney]

Im having trouble with one of the cars as some of you have seen and and an engine replacment may be a very real possibility. There is a definate differance Ive felt in performance between 1990 and other model years. exactly whats different from 92 and 93? When were the sodium filled valves dropped, do they make a differance? Ive also heard the fuel rails were different, any other parts that might be wise to keep?

[Q45tech]

The drivetrain for 90-93 was mechanically the same. There were continuous software tweeks as they fine tuned to addres minor roughness.91 had a software fix in transmission that caused reliabilty problems but these were all replaced under warranty. 93 added 1st year start to existing transmission.

Weight gains as they added T , then Active models, and Traction Control.

All the variations you see in acceleration test times were normal variations in engine power, temperature testing altitude, test drivers etc. ECU/TCU software was a factor when mixed with conditions. As a longer/shorter shift time created 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 second quarter mile variances.

2 gear shifts in the quarter mile.

[CrimsonQ]

Its just a great car, break it down into numbers as much as you want, still a great car

[Jesda]

It is said that the first few months of production had no speed limiters. Steering and suspension are stiffer in the 90.

[hardmoney]

yes, Ive read many times that there were real changes in hard parts. As I said before the Sodium filled valves I dont think stuck around very long, Ive read a few times and conversed with Rex Birkmire about the different fuel rails in the 1990 model year and I recall reading other posts concerning internal engine parts constructed from exotic metals(titanium,back when titanium was still something people thought was mined on the planet Krypton) and exacting measurements(I remember Q45tech once saying the cylinder walls were machined within 1/10000 of an inch,just like Ferrari). The steering is definitely different from other Q's Ive driven, however the suspension would be a hard one to restore considering those shocks probably havent been made in 12-15 years,doesnt matter anyway they are probably equivalent to Tokico blacks after about 15-20k. My Black Q45 was made in 11/89, when was production started?Also my black Q45 came with different wheels that Ive only seen on Very early 1990 T cars and JDM Q45's and pre-production magazines, much better looking than the pie pans they threw on later.

[Jesda]

422k.... good LORD!

[HashiriyaS14]

I think I speak for us all when I say that we'd like to see some pictures of what exactly a 422k Q45 looks like. Nice collection of cars you have there!

That's certainly the highest-mileage G50 I've ever heard of, is that on the original engine and transmission?

[Flagship-Q]

yes, Ive read many times that there were real changes in hard parts. As I said before the Sodium filled valves I dont think stuck around very long, Ive read a few times and conversed with Rex Birkmire about the different fuel rails in the 1990 model year and I recall reading other posts concerning internal engine parts constructed from exotic metals(

My 92 FSM says I have the sodium valves so they may have be around for a while. I find it somewhat hard to believe that a 90 is gonna be more performance oriented than my 92. My perception is that it's certainly a drivers car priority one, then a luxury car second.

[elwesso]

My 92 FSM says I have the sodium valves so they may have be around for a while. I find it somewhat hard to believe that a 90 is gonna be more performance oriented than my 92. My perception is that it's certainly a drivers car priority one, then a luxury car second.

Yep sodium filled valves for the 90-92, 93-95 lost those, and 96 lost vvt

The 90Q suspension is the same as the 90-93 models, but they used different front shocks, and maybe springs....

The main difference in performance from a 90-92 is the ECU, the 90 ECUs were slightly more advanced than the 93 and up.....

[Jesda]

I've driven two 90s, a couple 91s, and a couple 92s.The whole car (1990), from steering to suspension, felt tighter and beefier, and subsequently a little less luxurious/at ease. You can immediately feel the difference. The '90 feels sportier.

[szh]

I've driven two 90s, a couple 91s, and a couple 92s.The whole car (1990), from steering to suspension, felt tighter and beefier, and subsequently a little less luxurious/at ease. You can immediately feel the difference. The '90 feels sportier.

Agreed. I owned a 91 and a 95. There was a definite difference between the two - and I prefered the 91 for sure. Better steering. Felt quicker. More nimble, etc.

Z

[maxnix]

yes, Ive read many times that there were real changes in hard parts. As I said before the Sodium filled valves I dont think stuck around very long, Ive read a few times and conversed with Rex Birkmire about the different fuel rails in the 1990 model year and I recall reading other posts concerning internal engine parts constructed from exotic metals(titanium,back when titanium was still something people thought was mined on the planet Krypton) and exacting measurements(I remember Q45tech once saying the cylinder walls were machined within 1/10000 of an inch,just like Ferrari). The steering is definitely different from other Q's Ive driven, however the suspension would be a hard one to restore considering those shocks probably havent been made in 12-15 years,doesnt matter anyway they are probably equivalent to Tokico blacks after about 15-20k. My Black Q45 was made in 11/89, when was production started?Also my black Q45 came with different wheels that Ive only seen on Very early 1990 T cars and JDM Q45's and pre-production magazines, much better looking than the pie pans they threw on later.

My 1972 Alfa has sodium filled exhaust valves, and I know titanium connectig rods were an option on the same year 911S.

Not much really changes. It's all a question of cost.

[nuQ]

for us dummy's here,,,,,what exactly is so special with "sodium filled valves"??????

[elwesso]

They basically reduce combustion temperatures, so less chance of detonation.

[Rex]

for us dummy's here,,,,,what exactly is so special with "sodium filled valves"??????

Well they're filled with sodium ...

Sodium filled valves allow for a greater heat dissipation over solid valves while saving some weight.

[DrewQ45]

422k.... good LORD!

Yes, please tell us about this Q. That mileage is absolutely amazing.... thought it might be a typo.

What are your maintenance habits? How many engines/trannys? Hope the engine at least is still the first. How much on avg spent per year?

I could go on and on.

[Rex]

422k.... good LORD!

I think I recall reading somewhere that he's on his 2nd engine/3rd transmission. First motor lasted 220k on the original chain guides ... but this is just testing my memory.

[CrimsonQ]

yikes!! wonder what seats feel like and look like after that much use? i dont think i could ever attain that mileage, i only put 3700 miles on the q last year

[hardmoney]

Sorry Unfortunately the original engine was replaced after 226k, That was back in 2000, As far as average money spent yearly, your guess is as good as mine.As you can guess though my maintenance habits are good.I change the oil on all my cars about every 5k or so with mobile 1. The seats are in great shape considering there only 3 years old or so (100k?)(custom interior).even so I still have the original skins that are in good shape, The rear seat was in almost new condition with no cracks or tears whatsoever. I use Connolly hide food and it keeps em looking great. its had a paint retouching once.I really dont drive it much anymore because it needs new hubs(one on the front and one on the rear)and a leaky ABS unit. I originally bought my black 1990 with a shot transmission for $512 to use as parts but ended up finding out upon purchasing it that it was in to good of shape to part out, I replaced the Transmission and now have been finding myself driving it more and remembering what an almost stock Q45 sounds and rides like,that is of coarse until I heard the strange noise the other day.I have my laptop out getting worked on but as soon as I get it back Ill post pics so you guys can see it, Im not sure if there posted anymore but Freddy B at q45racing.com used to have picks of it up on his site, its wearing the MOMO's.

[hardmoney]

ok, scratch that last sentence looks like Q45racing is no longer online.

[SDQ45]

It was the first year.

[Q45tech]

Sodium melts at 208F and boils at 1621F. MUst be in a sealed system as it burns explosively in air.Coolant Temp(F) Density(lb/cuft) Specific Heat(BTU/lb.F) Thermal Conductivity Viscosity(lb/(hr)(ft))mp 208F 752 53 0.306 41.1 0.65bp 1621F 1022 51 0.301 37.4 0.54

The liquid sodium metal conducts [circulates] heat up from exhaust valve bottom up the stem better than the metal alone. Doubles/triples life of exhaust valve for 3 times the price. A technology developed to cool small compact nuclear reactors.http://www.uic.com.au/nip77.htm"The experimental sodium-cooled nuclear reactor of USS SEAWOLF suffers a failure in the steam plant during a full power test run while the submarine is at Groton, Conn. A leak of sodium-pottasium alloy being used as the third fluid in the steam generator aggravates stress corrosion in the system, causing two cracks in steam piping and a leak in a superheater. Makeshift repairs allow the SEAWOLF to complete her initial sea trials on reduced power in February 1957."

Just like the expensive VITON stem seal are necessary. Coated piston skirts.

They used the finest [most expensive technology] in the 1986 design for 1989 launch.

[Q45denver]

Is there anyway to tell visually if the valves are sodium (other than cutting them apart)? Trying to determine the year of an engine.

[elwesso]

You could get me the numbers off the engine and I could tell you what year it is, there should be apart number on there somewhere.

[DrewQ45]

Has anyone ever read the FSM's instructions for disposal of the sodium valves? You just don't toss them in the garbage.

I thing it reads something like... break them in half and throw them in a bucket of water. Run behind the house for dear life until the water stops seething and bubbling then ask your ex-wife to dispose of them before mailing her the all-e-mony check.

...Drew...

[Q45denver]

All it has is VH45 60U 5 and a serial number.

[Q45denver]

There's a sticker on the bottom of the cylinder heads on the 90-92's regarding the proper disposal of the sodium valves. While the valves on both my parts engine appear to be in excellent condition the 1993 engine had significantly more carbon. Maybe due to lack of sodium filled valves?

[nuQ]

bottom line,,,,,, I LOVE MY 90Q!!!

[jrsink]

You could get me the numbers off the engine and I could tell you what year it is, there should be apart number on there somewhere.

elwesso, can you tell me if a 1990 Q45 ECU that reads "01" "A18-A21 P01" "9 x 09" used traction control or not? much love

[SCOOTER240]

also in 1990 there was very little tar paper used for sound reduction-that is why they sound tinny-that made the lighter by ablut 100-150 pounds-in the first few years of the q they used the same leather hide to cut the steering wheel cover and shifter cover-to give a similar feel to the driver-the pilars are filled with a rigid but flexible faom-much like a sail boat mast-this gives strength to the chassis and strength to the passenger compartment in case of a roll over-just a few tidbits of trivial info on the q-if you would like to see what all of that feels like-you can buy one of mine-$2800.00 obo-180000 miles-just drop me an email-