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Old 02-13-2011, 05:55 PM   #54 (permalink)
optiontrader
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fugeesnfunion View Post
I've always respected Nissan's V6. How many years in a row did it win engine of the year? Half a dozen or something? I did some reading on the 370z a little more after the test drive and what you said is identical to all the other advice. I wasn't aware that its power band was more "high-rev" happy. And your comment on the N54 is spot on as well. It's an incredibly tourqy engine, almost to a fault in some people's minds. It has SO much low RPM power that it starts running out of steam when the needle hangs out on the right side of the tach. It's really hard adjusting to an engine that needs so much more wringing out, but they obviously did that on purpose. I imagine it's better for track driving. Nissan's V6 doesn't need to defend itself though, it's already well proven and universally praised.

The hardest part of looking for a replacement is finding a car that's just as/more powerful that isn't a V8, but I have to say the 370z has been one of the closest. I'm really curious what a free flowing cat, exhaust, and intake would do. It almost feels like the VQ just needs to breath more to perform the way it wants.
Amen to your post - I enjoy these types of discussions. Agreed: the VQ's a great, but it's also a venerable engine - Nissan's really milking the longevity of the current iteration. It needs a redesign... (but I understand that's in the works... albeit a bit late, IMHO)

But now that the stereo's straightened out, it should be time to do more test drivin'!

+1 with Crown's post above - getting more air into and out of the engine (and tuning it) will help tremendously. For me - I'm still stock until the warranty runs out; then I go forced induction.
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