JBrady

At the Infiniti test drive event I attended the Factory reps said that a 400hp special edition Q45 is due for release by the end of the year. This along with their 340hp standard model should push ALL manufacturers to up the ante. I love horsepower wars.

Stephen

Actually the LS400 hasnt had 250HP since 1994. In 95 it went up to 260 and in 98 it went up to 290, the LS430 is 290 also. Also keep in mind thatLexus will increase HP in 2004 probably.

JBrady

I don't know, my buddies old '90 Q45 ran pretty strong. The 190hp ratede Maximas/I30s run well also. The new Q has titanium valves and continuously variable cam timing. The torque converter is too tight and it could use more axle ratio BUT the car has a strong pull over 100mph.

QBranchCars

Yeah, I heard that also. JB, any idea how they're going to reach that 400HP? SC or TC? I assume they're not going to bore out the engine or anything.

DROD2045

No TC or SC. All by tuning it and boring it and stroking it may be a possibility but it should be by tuning.

DROD2045

How are the Q's 340hp overated? it does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds? BTW, www.autoweek.com They have reviewed the new Q and gave it an extremely positive review as well (www.thecarconnection.com also gave it a positive review). Too bad they failed to give performance numbers but maybe they had them in the mag. Heres a pic they took:



mmmmmmmm.......black. drooooool. I wanna see one in twilight Blue.

JBrady

DROD, you may have missed my other post but I have already DRIVEN one, make that RACED the new 340hp Q45. It was a special pre-release event at Texas Motor Speedway north of Ft.Worth 3 weeks ago. Read my post at https://www.clublexus.com/vb/showthr...p?threadid=486
The car has a strong pull in the upper rpms but off the line the BMW 540 with the 282hp 4.4ltr was quickest FEELING. I think the new Q needs a looser torque converter or a little more aggressive gearing. Maybe it was TOO thirsty for CAFE (corporate average fuel economy). The 400hp model is rumored to be ALL motor (ala M5), probably more aggressive cams, compression, intake and exhaust mods.

DROD2045

Not saying that tis good, Ive read thats typical of Nissan products; that the first tap on the gas isnt like it is further up the RPM latter. But that still doesnt make its 430hp over rated IMO...

GS430 GUY

Not to bash Infiniti as I drove a 90 and 92 Q45, but on the 90-93 Q's the transmission was the weak link on that car. After we sold the 90 the transmission went on the guy who purchased the car. On the 92 there was a TSB on the transmission and they did something on the 92 to strengthen it up but the car didn't shift as smooth after. Now I see they have a 340hp and I know it's a completely different car but I would be very curious to see how the transmission holds up on this car. I think this car is a 5 speed unlike the 4 speed 90-93. Nice car nonetheless but personally I would take a cautious approach to the car at least after my experiences. Hopefully Nissan learned, only time will tell though.

Here's a picture of the 92 Q45 I had

JBrady

Yeah, my buddy had a 90 and his tranny bit it at 100k. At 110k the cam chain tensioner failed leading to catastrophic engine failure (hole in block). Driveshaft vibrations were also a problem. The Infiniti promo crew at the event said the 400hp model is in testing now and one of the concerns is tranny strength :eek: Anyway, Porsche has released a 5 speed automatic in the 415hp 911 Turbo Triptronic. I believe that is a high water mark for 5 speed automatics OEM. 5 speeds are generally LESS stout than 4 speed autos and the fastest drag race automatic equiped cars (over 1000hp) use GMs ancient 2 speed Powerglide (heavily built).

QBranchCars

Man, all motor. Well, you know what that means, someone will throw a TC or SC on this 400Hp motor to get 500Hp+!

I think we're all waiting to see when Lexus will tune the 4.3L to get more output. Makes me wonder if Lexus set their minds to it, what output I can get out of my GS400 with just motor mods. Of course, they would not tinker with the older 4.0L, but it still makes me think there's a market for more aggressive cams, etc. for my engine.

JBrady

QBranch, likely the compression will be TOO high for turbo/supercharging. Nevertheless, 400hp is MORE than some blown motors.

SICK, the base price is $50k. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Wait till you see it in person, it may grow on you. You gotta love 340hp up from 266hp. BTW, my buddy has a 266hp Q and it seems every bit as quick as my 260hp LS. Granted the 190hp Maxima is faster than the 222hp Maxima, go figure.

1niceride

222 hp Maxima is slower because of added weight. They added more power but also more weight into the equation.

By the way a friend of mine has just brought a 222 hp Maxima and i will try to get her to race me.

Lets see 222 hp maxima vs 225 hp GS 300 . Its going to be a tough one.

JULIAN

than the older model that it replaces. I should know I used to own a 95 SE. The new 5 speed SE Maxima's are the fastest, followed closely by the 95-96 5 speed SE. Magazines have rated the both the 5 speeds Maxima's 95 and 2000 model 0-60 in 6.6- 6.7 secs, but we believe that in the real world it is more like 6.9-7.0 sec. As far as the GS300 VS 2000 Maxima, sorry but you will probably lose no flames intended, especially if the she has a 5 speed and knows how to really drive the car to it's limits. We have some Maxima guys that have the 5 speed 2000-2001 SE's and just with some intake and exhaust mods are running 14.1 quartermile times which is pretty good.

JBrady

14.1 is VERY quick for that class. What kind of 60ft times are they getting with the front drive? Trap speeds? Glad to hear that the power rating is not just marketing. What mods are common? Air intake and cat back I am guessing, anything else?