97 Q45 build= project elegance

Well.....here we go.  I'm new to the VIP scene, but not new to car modification. 
 
This thread will document my new project, a 1997 Q45 Infiniti. The car has 225,000 miles, is black with black interior. 
The previous owner rear-ended another car with the Q, so the first part of this project will address the front-end issues.
 
Just a quick run down of the problems with the car. 
#1 front bumper damaged, including the bumper support and drivers side headlight.
#2 radiator leaks 
#3 power steering rack leaks
#4 multiple scratches all over the car
 
Thats really about it....car was actually pretty well maintained.
 
Here's a couple of pics from the weekend when I picked up the car.
[IMG]http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad129/bmw944/IMG00035-4.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad129/bmw944/IMG00037.jpg[/IMG]
 
The replacement radiator arrived today
[IMG]http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad129/bmw944/IMG00056-2.jpg[/IMG]
 
Thats all for now, getting started this weekend installing the radiator.

nice, good luck on the build...

lets see how bad the front end looks.

and welcome.

Ok, here's a couple of the frontend. It looks worse than it is, the condensor is fine....but the fan is obviously cashed.  This is what driving drunk will do to you!! (not me, previous owner)  I paid $1600 for the car so I can't bitch too much.
 
Bumper cover is "backordered" and I just ordered the aluminum reinforcement.
[IMG]http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad129/bmw944/IMG00057-2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad129/bmw944/IMG00060-2.jpg[/IMG]
 
old leaking radiator....but the car never over heated when I was driving it.
[IMG]http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad129/bmw944/IMG00059-1.jpg[/IMG]
 
Installed new radiator, bout a 45 minute job.
[IMG]http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad129/bmw944/IMG00062-2.jpg[/IMG]
 
Just for giggles some 19 inch wheels I picked up.....not vip I know, but temporary until I find what I want.... Needs a drop!!!
[IMG]http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad129/bmw944/IMG00058-3.jpg[/IMG]

i think you'd be better off buying a kit or japanese oem bumper/lights than spending all that money on replcment parts then going back and redoing it not much later.

[QUOTE=BLKonBLK98;352472]i think you'd be better off buying a kit or japanese oem bumper/lights than spending all that money on replcment parts then going back and redoing it not much later.[/QUOTE]
 
 
Nope, no kit. Keeping the stock stuff, maybe do a bumper lip and the japanese touring grille.  I've got about $300 in the replacement parts so far.

you realize all the jdm lips fit on the jdm bumpers which are different from the usdm (not to mention they look better) right?

[QUOTE=BLKonBLK98;352484]you realize all the jdm lips fit on the jdm bumpers which are different from the usdm (not to mention they look better) right?[/QUOTE]

Agree.... The jdm bumper is shorter than the usdm one. Sometimes the jdm bumper pops up on eBay for about $150-300. :shrug:

There are a couple of lip kits available for the usdm bumper. Stillen has one for example. Why would I put a jdm lip on a usdm bumper?  I have'nt seen the jdm bumper in a long time on ebay, believe me I've been looking.

Stillen lip on my old Q. It's urethane and basically indestructible and fits like OEM quality. 

[IMG]http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z216/kdfalk/1of1%20Fatlace%20Show%20Long%20Beach/IMG_0821.jpg[/IMG]

^ Thats exactly the look I want. You even have the touring grille. Perfect.

I've slowly been gathering parts for the Q, waiting on the 99 trunk lid with spoiler, found a reliable source for the front bumper, and its on the way, also picked up a set of 17" factory wheels.    
 
Here is what I plan to do with the front......got the JDM touring grille, but I plan to mold the infiniti emblem from a G35 (I think its from the G) into the center. I've always been a fan of the  M45 front, and I like the larger emblem on the later model infinitis.  Looks like it wont be that difficult to do.  
 
I just placed the emblem on the grille to get an idea of how it would look, I'll remove the grand touring also.
[IMG]http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad129/bmw944/IMG_0109.jpg[/IMG]

Im interested in seeing how that grill turns out. could go either way

Yea, it could go either way.....I think I'm gonna love it, but we'll see.  Trunk lid arrived today, alot of guys seem to go the other way and put on the 97/98 lid, but I think I like this one better.  Complete with the touring spoiler!  Plan to strip it down and get it ready for paint.
[IMG]http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad129/bmw944/IMG_0111.jpg[/IMG]
 
also got the 17 inch factory wheels today, until I decide what I want as far as offsets and size.....I'm going to sell the 19's I bought and save up for something else.  I plan to get the body and paint tip-top, then start suspension and wheels.
[IMG]http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad129/bmw944/IMG_0112.jpg[/IMG]

99-01 > 97-98 :biggthumpup: but you're right, everyone goes the other way.

97-98 > 99-01=), I do like the chrome Infiniti strip on the 99-01 better though. I wanna fit one to my trunk

[QUOTE=VI IX;364637]everyone goes the other way.[/QUOTE]
 
:biggthumpup:
 
and that's why 99-01 is better! =)

[QUOTE=OG;352472]i think you'd be better off buying a kit or japanese oem bumper/lights than spending all that money on replcment parts then going back and redoing it not much later.[/QUOTE]
 
 
Agreed!!:thelaw: