How's the Drive-By-Wire (DBW) throttle?
 

I'm considering getting the Z, and would like to find out more about the DBW system. Is the DBW on the 370z responsive to your pedal input? Do you notice any dead spots or lags throughout the rpm range under various driving condition and pedal input? For example, if you are cruising on the freeway and let off the gas pedal completely, and then reapply the gas pedal again. Does the engine respond with smooth transition, or does it feel abrupt during the throttle off/on?

While not quite as quick to respond as a non-DBW throttle, I found it to be quite fast. No dead spots, lag is extremely minor - you MIGHT notice it at first when going from a very passive, low-RPM driving mode to suddenly aggressive and flooring it. If you're cruising and let off/put your foot back on, its a smooth transition. No abruptness really at all.

This drive-by-wire is much better than the throttle response of other cars I've had. I don't know if it's a better system, or just a more responsive car in general (this is the first sports car I've owned). Compared to the 2000 Jetta or the 2008 Yaris, this throttle feels very responsive.

I've not noticed any flat spots. The 370Z is IMO very smooth.

BTW, my 08 Silverado is also DBW, and I found that to have a noticeable amount of lag, especially compared to the 370.

This is the second DBW car that I've owned, the last one was an '05 350z. I think the my 350z was more responsive than my 370z, but only when transitioning from a low-rpm cruise to WOT. Otherwise they feel about the same. I think the factor that makes the difference between the two is the VVEL.

You can try a product like Sprintbooster which is popular with german vehicles. It's simple to install and is said to remove any inherent lag introduced by the DBW system.

Dbw
 

I find the DBW on my old 03 350 and my new 370 to be totally unnoticeable as far as any difference. Delay, slowness, or any other lag just is not there...... I am very pleased.

Thanks for the feedback! The DBW on my 04 TSX drives me crazy with poor throttle response during low rpm transition (1st to 2nd gear shift). It feels like the fuel is randomly being cut off causing the the car to jerk back and forth. The problem would go away if I carefully modulate the pedal input under those condition, but It takes the enjoyment out of driving the car. Therefore, I'm planning to replace it with a 370z.

@Sensi09, have you installed this in a 370z? I'd like to know how it made the RPMS climb as opposed to not having it installed. I'm currently debating on going TT or SC when I finally install FI on my Z. :)

DBW doesn't bother me as much as it use to in general. i just got use to it.

with so much power/torque as the Z has, dbw or not, the car is gonna have great throttle response. while a cable is my preference, i wouldn't not buy this car because it is dbw.

Hmmm, like someone else commented above, compared to my 06 350z I do notice a delay at low rpms, but when it does get up there, it's like wow. That is the reason I got the base 350 without the extras, now I am noticing what all these extras are about on the 370z, at first I was like ugh, but you get use to it and are able to time things better, it will work to your advantage.

The 370Zs that I've test driven (all Manuals transmissions) were not nearly as laggy as the TSX (my wife has an 06 auto). I'm not sure if that's a TSX issue, or an auto (maybe auto tsx) issue. However the TSX scared me a lot as well, but the 370z is not nearly as bad and is barely noticeable. I think that I only noticed it because i was worried about it and looking for it.

Thanks all for the info. I've been waiting over a year for any bugs to be worked out. Now I'm getting really close in pulling the trigger on a brilliant sliver!

I perosnally think the throttle response is terrible in this car! It is probably the worst out of any sports car that I have driven. I don't know if it's the DBW, the heavy flywheel, or a combination of both. It takes forever for this thing to rev and honestly it is one of the major things that I don't like about this car. it really takes away from the driving experience for me. Just my opinion I guess.

It takes forever to rev the car?

I would think you need to take him to your dealership.

Mine is extremely responsive and revs like crazy.

There's nothing wrong with the car, it's how it is. You push the gas, wait, and then it revs. Then the revs just hang there before falling back down. This makes heal toe very difficult (when not using SRM). I think this has to do more with the dual mass flywheel, but I'm sure the DBW isn't helping. Either way the throttle response on this car is terrible.

And I don't have that problem. the throttle response in my car is pretty much perfect. Hell in 1-4th I can easily brake my neck from playing with the throttle

push the gas car flies off. I had that delay once in a while where in 5th I would floor it and the revs would go from say 3000 to 3500 and then drop back down to 3200 and then it goes.

but that has happened like 5 times and it never came back after my first oil change.

But I have a AT so maybe that is the reason?

Try just reving it in neutral.

I have done that plenty of times when mates ask me and I don't notice any lag.

+ reving in neutral doesn't matter anyway, what matter is while driving/

I dissagree. It's probably not that big a deal in the autos, but it is much more pronounced in the manual. For instance, it makes starting from a stop more difficult and also makes heal toe more difficult as well (for those that turn off SRM). The biggest thing is that it takes away from the "feel' of the car. I like a car that has instant response to my inputs. For the most part while driving it is responsive, but i have had some instances where there is a massive delay in respone (like the car got confused).

If you have driven other cars with more responsive throttle response then you will know what I'm talking about.

Another reason why AT > MT? :stirthepot:

The biggest reason why there is such a delay is probably emissions in some way.

But my car was a demo car that the owner of the dealership drove most of the time and he is a car nut who loves upgrading and tuning cars so I wouldn't be suprised if he fiddled with the throttle response :roflpuke2:

I turn off the DBW first thing after I get in the car, along with the VDC.

IMHO where you notice it the most is when the car is cold... You know, you start it... it idles a little fast cause its cold... so you rev just a little - but once you let off it doesn't return to idle like it would if it were mechanically linked. This sensation is not as noticeable once the vehicle is warmed up.

:facepalm:
i would love for your explanation on how to do this.

:stirthepot: ;)

I don't think the issues everyone is experiencing is specific to DBW responsiveness.. I remember, so does my friend, that the 350z had a "protection" where WOT isn't available till an RPM is met. Because of this you'll feel an unresponsiveness when you hammer the pedal to the floor... Almost like a turbo is spooling super slowly.

Get a tune to get rid of that.

I do agree though that I think this "protection" causes 0-GO a bit more annoying and especially uphill.

What's holding you back?? :)

Something is seriously wrong with either your car or your right foot.

Well there you go. You do realize the car is programmed not to over-rev in neutral, right?

Doesn't it stop at 4K rpm's when reving in neutral ?

Yeah there is something wrong with the car but it's nothing a good tune wouldn't fix. :)

I'll patiently wait... Well... I'll try to.