DrivenDecember 22, 2010
#361662Another Y34 2003 - 2004 M45 Build
Preface:This is not a VIP build... I do realize that this forum is focused on that style and I respect that. I have found that this forum is the most active forum for M45 users, so figured I could lend a hand in what I've found, as well as hope to get some answers to questions I have. Regardless of the difference in style, the sharing of knowledge is what is key.
Goals for the car:
Just purchased a 2003 M45 over the weekend. Didn't get a GREAT deal, but for the price, I'm happy.
basically, $12K with 66K miles, white with tan leather, super gaudy chrome wheels and no options (ie. no heated/cooled seats, no laser cruise). I already have an irresponsible car (S2000)... so I wanted a responsible car.
Gonna use this thread as a progress thread of my build. Should take 3-4 months to get everything complete:
Brakes - Without having done much research, would like to use a more common brake setup. This will allow me to use more aggressive brake pads that can handle a 20minute track session. Seems like 300zx and 350z options are out there.
Suspension - Sway bars. this thing transitions between left and right turns like a Walrus hulu-hooping. However, the stock sway bars are pretty hefty (3900lb car!) so a custom setup will likely be massive and expensive. The stock sways may be damn near 40mm or bigger.
Multimedia - Bluetooth. Bluetooth. Bluetooth. Ideally for both phone calls AND audio streaming. Pandora streaming over the stereo is awesome. Also, USB flashdrive so I can stop carrying around ancient media (ie. CDs, Tapes, etc). Would like to replace the screen with an aftermarket unit and have it be switchable to play DVDs, Nav, etc. It would be a display with several inputs. However, upon further research, the factory system uses a RGB-Sync signal. the PAC video switcher interrupts that signal, and sends a VGA or other type of video signal into the RGBS display. BUT, the PAC video switcher doesn't go the other way (RGBS to VGA). So, in order to have the factory info displayed on the aftermarket display, a RGBS to VGA convertor is needed... and there aren't many options out there (if any).
Replacing the tape deck is becoming a bit more problematic than I had hoped. Yes, it controls the entire audio system, but there has to be a way to bypass it and still be able to use the factory speakers, even if it doesn't display on the screen. The only downside is the buttons for all of the audio controls would then become obsolete.
Performance - I haven't done any research, but maybe some exhaust headers to open the flow up, and possible a slightly more aggressive exhaust note. I want subtle... FX45 subtle. Not Mustang GT.
Exterior - Debadging and that's about it. Maybe a front lip
Wheels - I'm gonna stick with 19s. 20s sometimes makes the car look cartoony to me, while 18s are just too small. Plus the tire aspect with 19s will still give it some level of comfort.
So far, the time line:
12/4/10 - Purchased
12/6/10 - Debadged "M45" from trunk. Will keep the Infiniti logo
12/8/10 - I had a dented up resonator, so I cut that out and replaced with a straight pipe. The exhaust piping is 2 1/8"... which is a bit smallish for a 4.5l engine.
12/15/10 - Lowered the car, was pretty simple and didn't slam it, which I love. Lowered the rear about 0.5" and the front 1". It settled down to about 1" all around. How to lower the car Tech Thread on FreshAlloy
12/21/10 - I ended up doing the Ipod integration mod. Definitely nice to have my own choice of music vs. the radio.
- Had the front two windows tinted! Much nicer now!
- Ordered a set of wheels from Discount. They are cheapo Drag DR37 wheels in 19". I'll see how they fit, if they suck or look horrible, I'll just return them and keep trying until I get something that works.
12/24/10 - Mounted wheels and tires. Also installed 20mm wheel spacers. The wheels sit pretty flush to the fender, but rub on hard bumps. Will have to either get some camber or roll the fenders.
12/28/10 - Cut the resonators out of the exhaust. The car now has a slight growl to it, akin to the FX45.
After it was lowered:
Since those photos, I've removed the sticker and had the front windows tinted to match the rear.
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Preface: This is not a VIP build... I do realize that this forum is focused on that style and I respect that. I have found that this forum is the most active forum for M45 users, so figured I could lend a hand in what I've found, as well as hope to get some answers to questions I have. Regardless of the difference in style, the sharing of knowledge is what is key. Goals for the car: Just purchased a 2003 M45 over the weekend. Didn't get a GREAT deal, but for the price, I'm happy. basically, $12K with 66K miles, white with tan leather, super gaudy chrome wheels and no options (ie. no heated/cooled seats, no laser cruise). I already have an irresponsible car (S2000)... so I wanted a responsible car. Gonna use this thread as a progress thread of my build. Should take 3-4 months to get everything complete: Brakes - Without having done much research, would like to use a more common brake setup. This will allow me to use more aggressive brake pads that can handle a 20minute track session. Seems like 300zx and 350z options are out there. Suspension - Sway bars. this thing transitions between left and right turns like a Walrus hulu-hooping. However, the stock sway bars are pretty hefty (3900lb car!) so a custom setup will likely be massive and expensive. The stock sways may be damn near 40mm or bigger. Multimedia - Bluetooth. Bluetooth. Bluetooth. Ideally for both phone calls AND audio streaming. Pandora streaming over the stereo is awesome. Also, USB flashdrive so I can stop carrying around ancient media (ie. CDs, Tapes, etc). Would like to replace the screen with an aftermarket unit and have it be switchable to play DVDs, Nav, etc. It would be a display with several inputs. However, upon further research, the factory system uses a RGB-Sync signal. the PAC video switcher interrupts that signal, and sends a VGA or other type of video signal into the RGBS display. BUT, the PAC video switcher doesn't go the other way (RGBS to VGA). So, in order to have the factory info displayed on the aftermarket display, a RGBS to VGA convertor is needed... and there aren't many options out there (if any). Replacing the tape deck is becoming a bit more problematic than I had hoped. Yes, it controls the entire audio system, but there has to be a way to bypass it and still be able to use the factory speakers, even if it doesn't display on the screen. The only downside is the buttons for all of the audio controls would then become obsolete. Performance - I haven't done any research, but maybe some exhaust headers to open the flow up, and possible a slightly more aggressive exhaust note. I want subtle... FX45 subtle. Not Mustang GT. Exterior - Debadging and that's about it. Maybe a front lip Wheels - I'm gonna stick with 19s. 20s sometimes makes the car look cartoony to me, while 18s are just too small. Plus the tire aspect with 19s will still give it some level of comfort. So far, the time line: 12/4/10 - Purchased 12/6/10 - Debadged "M45" from trunk. Will keep the Infiniti logo 12/8/10 - I had a dented up resonator, so I cut that out and replaced with a straight pipe. The exhaust piping is 2 1/8"... which is a bit smallish for a 4.5l engine. 12/15/10 - Lowered the car, was pretty simple and didn't slam it, which I love. Lowered the rear about 0.5" and the front 1". It settled down to about 1" all around. [url=http://www.freshalloy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199415]How to lower the car Tech Thread on FreshAlloy[/url] 12/21/10 - I ended up doing the Ipod integration mod. Definitely nice to have my own choice of music vs. the radio. - Had the front two windows tinted! Much nicer now! - Ordered a set of wheels from Discount. They are cheapo Drag DR37 wheels in 19". I'll see how they fit, if they suck or look horrible, I'll just return them and keep trying until I get something that works. 12/24/10 - Mounted wheels and tires. Also installed 20mm wheel spacers. The wheels sit pretty flush to the fender, but rub on hard bumps. Will have to either get some camber or roll the fenders. 12/28/10 - Cut the resonators out of the exhaust. The car now has a slight growl to it, akin to the FX45. After it was lowered: [img]http://thekam.com/images/cars/m45/ext/ext_chromes_lowered.jpg[/img] [img]http://thekam.com/images/cars/m45/ext/ext_chromes_lowered_side.jpg[/img] Since those photos, I've removed the sticker and had the front windows tinted to match the rear.
