Test Drive Results.

tbonesteak · 07-07-2009, 05:59 PM

As it's nearing the time for me to finally pick up the Z, i decided to go and drive the thing for the third time. This time, i drove it for about 30 minutes. Luckily there was a designated test car with about 130 miles on it and the guy let me drive it for about half an hour. All the "noises" that people complained here were noticeable. But since i'm coming from an s2k, these noises were more than tolerable. They did not bother me ONE bit. I was actually surprised at how minor these complaints were for i was expecting actually loud weird mechanical noises. The engine did sound harsh at 6.5+ rpms - sounded like the motor was struggling. Something about the sound just didn't feel like it was supposed to be that way. The oil temps (which is a very impt factor for me) never went past 230. Ambient temp was 95 degrees, i drove it on stop and go traffic, pushed it a bit, drove in the hwy, etc. I am VERY excited about the oil temps. I know it's a case by case scenario but I am finally ready. One thing i was never able to get over however was that annoying whine coming from the interior. WHAT the heck is making that noise?! it's a faint whine sounds electrical, very high pitched....just would not stop until i turned on the radio or stepped on the gas for the engine note to take over. Is that on every Z? Btw the stock base speakers are miles better than the 350. Anyways, all in all, i am finally ready and would love some feedback on that whine. I've read all the threads already but seems like it's still an unknown cause. Can't wait!!

cave vulture · 07-07-2009, 06:30 PM

I noticed a whine when the AC is on full blast and not enough vents are open. Opening more vents makes it go away. Could this be the whine you are referring to?

B1nks · 07-07-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cave vulture

I noticed a whine when the AC is on full blast and not enough vents are open. Opening more vents makes it go away. Could this be the whine you are referring to?

Lol that is a whine but a whine of a different type. The one he is referring to is one of two things that I have seen people say causes that whine. First being the transmission/drivetrain and the second being the carbon fiber driveshaft and that since it's made of carbon fiber that it is typical to make a little noise like that. There are WAY more noises in the 350z especially clutch/flywheel and gear noise.

wavehogger · 07-07-2009, 06:41 PM

The whine has been supposedly determined to be coming from the ECM which is mounted behind the glove box. Someone here had it replaced and it went away so maybe that's it, maybe not. I'll wait for more than one person for 100% confirmation. I can only barely hear it in mine sometimes if the radio is off and the windows are up and I'm just sitting still at an idle. As for the harshness above 6.5k, remember even the car you were driving only had 150 miles on it. I noticed on my Z that it wasn't until at least 400 miles that it actually felt like it wanted to rev up more and more. In fact it was quite a dog until at least 300 miles. I'm only at 600 now and been getting on it a little more and can feel and hear a huge difference. I've read that these motors don't really perform until a few thousand miles. But even broken in the motor doesn't exactly make everyone happy with its sound in the higher RPM's, but to each their own. You either love this beast for what it is, a raw sports car, or pick something else. Enjoy!

rufio11 · 07-07-2009, 06:49 PM

That wine that you speak of seems to be heard on the FI exhaust clip that was put up last sunday. Any one else think so? I think one guy even asked if there was a super charger in it

GingaBreadMan · 07-07-2009, 06:53 PM

I have 600 miles on mine and thankfully I don't hear any strange noises. I do like 2 slow down 2 about 15mph in 4th gear and accelerate 2 listen 2 the exhaust rumble. My only complaint is the car feels unsteady over rough patches on the highway. The car doesn't feel well planted on bumps. I enjoy the power even though I haven't gone over 4,000rpm yet.

tbonesteak · 07-07-2009, 10:19 PM

Gingabreadman, i noticed that too. The car doesn't take bumps too well, but compared to what i drive now...omg it's heaven! The whine i'm talking about is not the driveshaft, exhaust or tranny. It's the electrical sine wave whine that no machinery can replicate.

spearfish25 · 07-07-2009, 10:20 PM

Just use the search function on the site for the high pitched whine sounds. Someone traced it to the ECU. This has come up about a hundred times now.

07-07-2009, 05:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
tbonesteak Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 914 Drives: MY09 MB 6MT Rep Power: 375	Test Drive Results. As it's nearing the time for me to finally pick up the Z, i decided to go and drive the thing for the third time. This time, i drove it for about 30 minutes. Luckily there was a designated test car with about 130 miles on it and the guy let me drive it for about half an hour. All the "noises" that people complained here were noticeable. But since i'm coming from an s2k, these noises were more than tolerable. They did not bother me ONE bit. I was actually surprised at how minor these complaints were for i was expecting actually loud weird mechanical noises. The engine did sound harsh at 6.5+ rpms - sounded like the motor was struggling. Something about the sound just didn't feel like it was supposed to be that way. The oil temps (which is a very impt factor for me) never went past 230. Ambient temp was 95 degrees, i drove it on stop and go traffic, pushed it a bit, drove in the hwy, etc. I am VERY excited about the oil temps. I know it's a case by case scenario but I am finally ready. One thing i was never able to get over however was that annoying whine coming from the interior. WHAT the heck is making that noise?! it's a faint whine sounds electrical, very high pitched....just would not stop until i turned on the radio or stepped on the gas for the engine note to take over. Is that on every Z? Btw the stock base speakers are miles better than the 350. Anyways, all in all, i am finally ready and would love some feedback on that whine. I've read all the threads already but seems like it's still an unknown cause. Can't wait!!

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07-07-2009, 06:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
cave vulture Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 427 Drives: 370z tour,sport,auto Rep Power: 16	I noticed a whine when the AC is on full blast and not enough vents are open. Opening more vents makes it go away. Could this be the whine you are referring to?

07-07-2009, 06:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
wavehogger Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Central Mass Age: 53 Posts: 31 Drives: 09 370Z MB/P 6MT T/S Rep Power: 16	The whine has been supposedly determined to be coming from the ECM which is mounted behind the glove box. Someone here had it replaced and it went away so maybe that's it, maybe not. I'll wait for more than one person for 100% confirmation. I can only barely hear it in mine sometimes if the radio is off and the windows are up and I'm just sitting still at an idle. As for the harshness above 6.5k, remember even the car you were driving only had 150 miles on it. I noticed on my Z that it wasn't until at least 400 miles that it actually felt like it wanted to rev up more and more. In fact it was quite a dog until at least 300 miles. I'm only at 600 now and been getting on it a little more and can feel and hear a huge difference. I've read that these motors don't really perform until a few thousand miles. But even broken in the motor doesn't exactly make everyone happy with its sound in the higher RPM's, but to each their own. You either love this beast for what it is, a raw sports car, or pick something else. Enjoy!

07-07-2009, 06:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
rufio11 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga CA Posts: 24 Drives: future Z driver Rep Power: 16	That wine that you speak of seems to be heard on the FI exhaust clip that was put up last sunday. Any one else think so? I think one guy even asked if there was a super charger in it

07-07-2009, 06:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
GingaBreadMan Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York Posts: 313 Drives: 09 370z Sport 6spd Rep Power: 16	I have 600 miles on mine and thankfully I don't hear any strange noises. I do like 2 slow down 2 about 15mph in 4th gear and accelerate 2 listen 2 the exhaust rumble. My only complaint is the car feels unsteady over rough patches on the highway. The car doesn't feel well planted on bumps. I enjoy the power even though I haven't gone over 4,000rpm yet.

07-07-2009, 10:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
tbonesteak Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 914 Drives: MY09 MB 6MT Rep Power: 375	Gingabreadman, i noticed that too. The car doesn't take bumps too well, but compared to what i drive now...omg it's heaven! The whine i'm talking about is not the driveshaft, exhaust or tranny. It's the electrical sine wave whine that no machinery can replicate.

07-07-2009, 10:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Just use the search function on the site for the high pitched whine sounds. Someone traced it to the ECU. This has come up about a hundred times now.