My list of 7 biggest, but solvable issues with stock 370Z Nismo

StanPoland · 05-27-2019, 06:55 AM

I'm the owner of 2017 370Z Nismo 6MT and over that two year period I've made this list of 8 things that have disappointed me the most about factory 370z nismo, although you can easily fix them with few aftermarket parts. I've made this list, because when people make those videos "5 things I hate about my 370z", in my opinion they miss on some very important things and they don't provide with solution, so I decided to complement them with list of my own.

1) lack of factory oil cooler - since Nismo is theoretically a performance version of stock 370z, it's just super disappointing how hot oil gets while aggressive driving and if your right foot is as heavy as mine, you will kill your engine in no time without oil cooler installed. Although beware that even with biggest possible oil cooler out there which is 34 row Setrab, your Zee will still get hot on track days - during 15 minute session, I still have to make one slow lap in between the session for the oil to cool down to normal operating temperature.
2) lack of proper LSD - stock Vicious LSD is just not good enough and causes hell lot of one wheel fire on corner exits. There is a cheap way to modify stock VLSD, in order to give you proper diff lock (around 40%) with some under tray in the diff, but unfortunately it's my mechanics trademark secret and I'm not exactly sure how they do it, all I know it provides with tremendous results and Z is just so much faster on corner exit while accelerating and in general car feels much more rigid. Cheap alternative for proper LSD, but provides with similar results. There must be some information how to do it somewhere, I just don't believe my mechanic is the only one to know this technique, but personally I couldn't find any more info about it.
3) Lack of adjustable upper control arms - there is absolutely no better handling modification then -3 negative camber up front. No more super heavy nose and no more understeer. If you care how your car handles turns, this is should be first modification on your list (-3 front outwards 0.1, - 2.5 rear inwards 0.1 - optimal geometry IMO)
4) too high final gear for stock power - Z just feels so much slower than it actually is with stock 3.7 final gear. Upgrade to 4.08 and your car will finally start to feel alive, but beware of increased fuel consumption
5) looks without lowering springs and spacers - although general esthetics of 370z are good, they are ruined by how high Z seats and how hidden are the rims inside of wheel arches - upgrade to swift springs, they not only greatly improve handling, but looks as well and match it with 15mm spacers all way round, and you will get the look your 370z deserves
6) bouncing up and down differential while launching, especially noticeable on wet surfaces. Fix for these are urethane diff bushings, diff brace and rear traction arms. Solves this issue completely
7) too quiet exhaust and engine sounds coming from speakers - pretty self-explanatory
8) terrible clutch pedal feel out of stock clutch pedal assembly - fix for this is RJM Clutch pedal assembly, kind of hard to describe the difference, but with it installed I never missed any gear during fast shifts. Amazing modification, highly recommend to everyone.

If you think I've missed some important solvable issues with stock Nismo, be sure to share it in the comments.

Instagram (nismo_fairlady)

bunk · 05-27-2019, 09:12 AM

Most of these issues apply to all 370z models.

Ill add one..
-Blind spots behind the rear view mirrors...

Rusty · 05-27-2019, 11:36 AM

I would love to know what your mechanic did to the VLSD. Inside the VLSD, it's filled with silicone fluid. The VLSD acts like a torque converter with the fluid acting like a transfer medium. Once the fluid gets hot. It loose that ability.

My opinion is that once you drop the diff and open it up. You're better off installing a proper LSD. Because you're already there. I have an OS Giken 1.5 way set to 70 percent lock. Held in place with a SPL solid diff bushing and a Bell diff brace.

BettyZ · 05-27-2019, 09:11 PM

Or that the underpart of the front bumper that we scratch the **** out of costs $250 more than the actual front bumper. That's either some seriously space-age plastic or Nissan giving the **** to the insurance companies.

Rusty · 05-27-2019, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BettyZ

Or that the underpart of the front bumper that we scratch the **** out of costs $250 more than the actual front bumper. That's either some seriously space-age plastic or Nissan giving the **** to the insurance companies.

I was on my 3rd one. Now I have a splitter to worry about.

BettyZ · 05-27-2019, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

I was on my 3rd one. Now I have a splitter to worry about.

How's the splitter doing after that physics demonstration last week? Never saw pics.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

andy_meng1024 · 05-28-2019, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

I would love to know what your mechanic did to the VLSD. Inside the VLSD, it's filled with silicone fluid. The VLSD acts like a torque converter with the fluid acting like a transfer medium. Once the fluid gets hot. It loose that ability.

My opinion is that once you drop the diff and open it up. You're better off installing a proper LSD. Because you're already there. I have an OS Giken 1.5 way set to 70 percent lock. Held in place with a SPL solid diff bushing and a Bell diff brace.

Did you set the OS Giken LSD to 70% by yourself? I thought it comes with 100% lock only and can't be adjusted by ourselves unless sending back to OS Giken.

Rusty · 05-28-2019, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy_meng1024

Did you set the OS Giken LSD to 70% by yourself? I thought it comes with 100% lock only and can't be adjusted by ourselves unless sending back to OS Giken.

Mine came with 70% lock according Dealen at MAM.

Rusty · 05-28-2019, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy_meng1024

Did you set the OS Giken LSD to 70% by yourself? I thought it comes with 100% lock only and can't be adjusted by ourselves unless sending back to OS Giken.

You got me thinking now. I came across this. So was Dealen wrong on what he told me?

"Under racing conditions, the function of the LSD is to allow the drive wheels to apply equal traction under acceleration and deceleration. Our OS Giken Super Lock LSD is engineered to be extremely responsive to throttle input to give the driver full control over differential action. Our units are a negative preload design which allows for minimal lock when power is not delivered (turn in) and progressive maximum lock 100% on corner exit. Our unit is capable of controlling when 100% lock happens dependant on estimated power delivery and grip available (tires).

Through its innovative and patented design, up to twice as many friction plates are able to fit into the housing when compared to our competitors' products. This enables the OS Giken Super Lock LSD to achieve true 100% locking capability. Our LSD is also customizable by adjusting the spring inside the pressure ring to achieve progressive lock and allow high powered vehicles controllable lockup. Additionally, its superior design allows for excellent smoothness in regards to lock, virtually eliminating the “chatter” associated with other clutch type LSD brands."

Chuck33079 · 05-28-2019, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StanPoland

I'm the owner of 2017 370Z Nismo 6MT and over that two year period I've made this list of 8 things that have disappointed me the most about factory 370z nismo, although you can easily fix them with few aftermarket parts. I've made this list, because when people make those videos "5 things I hate about my 370z", in my opinion they miss on some very important things and they don't provide with solution, so I decided to complement them with list of my own.

1) lack of factory oil cooler - since Nismo is theoretically a performance version of stock 370z, it's just super disappointing how hot oil gets while aggressive driving and if your right foot is as heavy as mine, you will kill your engine in no time without oil cooler installed. Although beware that even with biggest possible oil cooler out there which is 34 row Setrab, your Zee will still get hot on track days - during 15 minute session, I still have to make one slow lap in between the session for the oil to cool down to normal operating temperature.
2) lack of proper LSD - stock Vicious LSD is just not good enough and causes hell lot of one wheel fire on corner exits. There is a cheap way to modify stock VLSD, in order to give you proper diff lock (around 40%) with some under tray in the diff, but unfortunately it's my mechanics trademark secret and I'm not exactly sure how they do it, all I know it provides with tremendous results and Z is just so much faster on corner exit while accelerating and in general car feels much more rigid. Cheap alternative for proper LSD, but provides with similar results. There must be some information how to do it somewhere, I just don't believe my mechanic is the only one to know this technique, but personally I couldn't find any more info about it.
3) Lack of adjustable upper control arms - there is absolutely no better handling modification then -3 negative camber up front. No more super heavy nose and no more understeer. If you care how your car handles turns, this is should be first modification on your list (-3 front outwards 0.1, - 2.5 rear inwards 0.1 - optimal geometry IMO)
4) too high final gear for stock power - Z just feels so much slower than it actually is with stock 3.7 final gear. Upgrade to 4.08 and your car will finally start to feel alive, but beware of increased fuel consumption
5) looks without lowering springs and spacers - although general esthetics of 370z are good, they are ruined by how high Z seats and how hidden are the rims inside of wheel arches - upgrade to swift springs, they not only greatly improve handling, but looks as well and match it with 15mm spacers all way round, and you will get the look your 370z deserves
6) bouncing up and down differential while launching, especially noticeable on wet surfaces. Fix for these are urethane diff bushings, diff brace and rear traction arms. Solves this issue completely
7) too quiet exhaust and engine sounds coming from speakers - pretty self-explanatory
8) terrible clutch pedal feel out of stock clutch pedal assembly - fix for this is RJM Clutch pedal assembly, kind of hard to describe the difference, but with it installed I never missed any gear during fast shifts. Amazing modification, highly recommend to everyone.

If you think I've missed some important solvable issues with stock Nismo, be sure to share it in the comments.

Instagram (nismo_fairlady)

All Z's 2012+ have an oil cooler. It's not great, but it's there. Also, I thought the 2015+ Nismo was a 3.9 rear end?

SPDKING · 06-13-2019, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

All Z's 2012+ have an oil cooler. It's not great, but it's there. Also, I thought the 2015+ Nismo was a 3.9 rear end?

No they do not. There are several 12+ 370Z's I've looked into their front bumper and only see a power steering cooler that sucks, not a oil cooler. My 2014 included. I bought my 14 thinking the same thing over a 2010 and looked in the bumper to see no oil cooler.

Rusty · 06-13-2019, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDKING

No they do not. There are several 12+ 370Z's I've looked into their front bumper and only see a power steering cooler that sucks, not a oil cooler. My 2014 included. I bought my 14 thinking the same thing over a 2010 and looked in the bumper to see no oil cooler.

The so called oil cooler on the 12+ models is different from what you think you will see. It's an oil to coolant heat exchanger. Not an oil to air heat exchanger like the aftermarket ones like Z1, FI, etc. It has what looks like a sandwich plate at the oil filter, with 2 coolant hoses going to it. The coolant circulates through the sandwich to cool the oil. In the right conditions, it's a great set-up if you can hold the coolant at a constant temperature. In a car, it's kind of so-so because you can not hold a steady coolant temperature. Too many variables with engine load.

SPDKING · 06-13-2019, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

The so called oil cooler on the 12+ models is different from what you think you will see. It's an oil to coolant heat exchanger. Not an oil to air heat exchanger like the aftermarket ones like Z1, FI, etc. It has what looks like a sandwich plate at the oil filter, with 2 coolant hoses going to it. The coolant circulates through the sandwich to cool the oil. In the right conditions, it's a great set-up if you can hold the coolant at a constant temperature. In a car, it's kind of so-so because you can not hold a steady coolant temperature. Too many variables with engine load.

Ahh, I never knew that. Or, I never noticed that in the oil temps lol. I don't get why they didn't just make it a exchanger out front like most cars? I would imagine a little 10 or 15 row would've been ok for regular non aggressive street use and wouldn't really cost them much in the production process. They could've even have it as a option you can order it with. The stock cooler is like there's none on there at all

BettyZ · 06-13-2019, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDKING

Ahh, I never knew that. Or, I never noticed that in the oil temps lol. I don't get why they didn't just make it a exchanger out front like most cars? I would imagine a little 10 or 15 row would've been ok for regular non aggressive street use and wouldn't really cost them much in the production process. They could've even have it as a option you can order it with. The stock cooler is like there's none on there at all

Lot of discussion on this.. my dos centavos is, the warranty cost to Nissan far outweighed the benefits of an oil cooler. Bringing the oil outside the motor probably presented too many possibilities of loss.

The heat exchanger works great in warming the engine up faster in the winter though! Only good thing I can say ab it.

Rusty · 06-13-2019, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDKING

Ahh, I never knew that. Or, I never noticed that in the oil temps lol. I don't get why they didn't just make it a exchanger out front like most cars? I would imagine a little 10 or 15 row would've been ok for regular non aggressive street use and wouldn't really cost them much in the production process. They could've even have it as a option you can order it with. The stock cooler is like there's none on there at all

Crash testing might have to do something with it. Along with some other engineering /cost benefit decisions.

05-27-2019, 06:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
StanPoland Base Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Poland Posts: 15 Drives: Nissan 370Z Nismo'17 Rep Power: 7	My list of 7 biggest, but solvable issues with stock 370Z Nismo I'm the owner of 2017 370Z Nismo 6MT and over that two year period I've made this list of 8 things that have disappointed me the most about factory 370z nismo, although you can easily fix them with few aftermarket parts. I've made this list, because when people make those videos "5 things I hate about my 370z", in my opinion they miss on some very important things and they don't provide with solution, so I decided to complement them with list of my own. 1) lack of factory oil cooler - since Nismo is theoretically a performance version of stock 370z, it's just super disappointing how hot oil gets while aggressive driving and if your right foot is as heavy as mine, you will kill your engine in no time without oil cooler installed. Although beware that even with biggest possible oil cooler out there which is 34 row Setrab, your Zee will still get hot on track days - during 15 minute session, I still have to make one slow lap in between the session for the oil to cool down to normal operating temperature. 2) lack of proper LSD - stock Vicious LSD is just not good enough and causes hell lot of one wheel fire on corner exits. There is a cheap way to modify stock VLSD, in order to give you proper diff lock (around 40%) with some under tray in the diff, but unfortunately it's my mechanics trademark secret and I'm not exactly sure how they do it, all I know it provides with tremendous results and Z is just so much faster on corner exit while accelerating and in general car feels much more rigid. Cheap alternative for proper LSD, but provides with similar results. There must be some information how to do it somewhere, I just don't believe my mechanic is the only one to know this technique, but personally I couldn't find any more info about it. 3) Lack of adjustable upper control arms - there is absolutely no better handling modification then -3 negative camber up front. No more super heavy nose and no more understeer. If you care how your car handles turns, this is should be first modification on your list (-3 front outwards 0.1, - 2.5 rear inwards 0.1 - optimal geometry IMO) 4) too high final gear for stock power - Z just feels so much slower than it actually is with stock 3.7 final gear. Upgrade to 4.08 and your car will finally start to feel alive, but beware of increased fuel consumption 5) looks without lowering springs and spacers - although general esthetics of 370z are good, they are ruined by how high Z seats and how hidden are the rims inside of wheel arches - upgrade to swift springs, they not only greatly improve handling, but looks as well and match it with 15mm spacers all way round, and you will get the look your 370z deserves 6) bouncing up and down differential while launching, especially noticeable on wet surfaces. Fix for these are urethane diff bushings, diff brace and rear traction arms. Solves this issue completely 7) too quiet exhaust and engine sounds coming from speakers - pretty self-explanatory 8) terrible clutch pedal feel out of stock clutch pedal assembly - fix for this is RJM Clutch pedal assembly, kind of hard to describe the difference, but with it installed I never missed any gear during fast shifts. Amazing modification, highly recommend to everyone. If you think I've missed some important solvable issues with stock Nismo, be sure to share it in the comments. Instagram (nismo_fairlady) TheMinel, bunk, dts3 and 5 others like this. Last edited by StanPoland; 05-27-2019 at 08:06 AM.

05-27-2019, 09:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
bunk A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,077 Drives: 2010 370z Roadster Rep Power: 2684370	Most of these issues apply to all 370z models. Ill add one.. -Blind spots behind the rear view mirrors... torpedo2k, simul8r and BettyZ like this. __________________ -Drop in K&N Filter -Invidia Gemini CBE -Z1 Oil Cooler -Swift Springs - EcuTek -Forgestar F14 -SPL Camber Links -Akebono BBK Upgrade -Z1 Premium SS Lines -SPL Diff Bushings -SPL FUCAs - BellRaceworks Diff Brace

05-27-2019, 11:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 69 Posts: 35,390 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684438	I would love to know what your mechanic did to the VLSD. Inside the VLSD, it's filled with silicone fluid. The VLSD acts like a torque converter with the fluid acting like a transfer medium. Once the fluid gets hot. It loose that ability. My opinion is that once you drop the diff and open it up. You're better off installing a proper LSD. Because you're already there. I have an OS Giken 1.5 way set to 70 percent lock. Held in place with a SPL solid diff bushing and a Bell diff brace. gbrettin and Felix 808 like this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

05-27-2019, 09:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
BettyZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Chicagoland Age: 38 Posts: 5,261 Drives: A Garage Queen Rep Power: 2684371	Or that the underpart of the front bumper that we scratch the ** out of costs $250 more than the actual front bumper. That's either some seriously space-age plastic or Nissan giving the ** to the insurance companies. wideglideleon and JamesTheBrain like this. __________________ '14 MB Nismo \| Boost Lab 6870 1.32 AR 553 HP / 471 ft.-lbs. Betty Mods

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
2014 370z Nismo - Any Issues?	SINISTER	Nismo 370Z	22	02-11-2017 06:35 PM
just added a NISMO 370z to my Cars List	bluej20	New Nismo 370Z Owner	7	07-02-2015 08:48 AM
biggest rotors and calipers that fit the nismo.wheels	chii370	Brakes & Suspension	2	08-20-2012 01:05 PM
Trading in an 11 370z sport for a 12 Nismo, price issues.	JDV500	Nismo 370Z	17	02-22-2012 03:37 PM
What's your biggest beef with your 370z/any other car?	Phrausty	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	118	05-17-2010 03:00 PM