Why is the Z slower than comparable cars?

Wicked Daddy

So my first post here (other than the intro) is sure to spark a debate but I feel it's a legit question.
I have been doing a lot of research on the Nismo Z, as I'm 90% sure it will be my next car. But I can't understand why it's 0-60 performance is slower than other cars that have less power and/or lower HP to weight ratios.

The various magazines like the handling and that is a good thing. But most will complain that it's under-powered while also complimenting the VQ as one of the best V6's ever built (I agree). Years ago the Z was described as a beast. Now it doesn't even make the list of top sports cars. What happened?

Personally, I love the looks of the Nismo and I can always increase the performance. But I also wonder what happened to the once, almost legendary reputation of this car. I still want one.

birdman71

Most Newer cars that have less hp and less weight have a turbo or twin turbo. Which cars in general are you try to compare to the nismo z?

Trust me even though the 0-60 time is slower than say example as a 335i (My friend has one)

Me and my friend go to a track we known sometimes and race around, I have a touring base w/o navi plus upgrades I have put on. My friend has increased his turbo size on his beamer and done a lot of things like me and I still end up winning. the VQ has the legendary back end power.

I find that once you hit second gear it's a friggin rocket.

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njobe89

because since 2009 the engine hasn't been upgraded while on other cars it has. the z had 332hp or 350hp for the nismo and guess what... 2015 it still has the same.

think that answers your question.

you're welcome

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jshare1

Ya im intriqued as to what youre comparing the Z to

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mishuko

if all you care about is 0-60 go grab a 5.0 stang or something

in terms of comparison z is in a precarious position as there is no 'true' competitor. compared to the miata/toyobaru's it's over powered vs their lighter and lower out puts. then it's all sport luxury cars.

the Z was designed originally to compete with lower end porches at a fraction of the cost. if you use that mentality then ignore the critics. you get 90% the performance for half the price is what you look at.

Arctavis

I will chime in here as a newbie to the forum but a long time car guy, specifically Z's. Nissan likes to find something that works and stick with it. The VQ engine is amazing. They have not really felt the need to update its specs because its pretty well balanced and reliable. More HP/TQ = less reliable in most cases.

I read an article from a respected source claiming the new STI will have a TT motor from the factory at close to 500 HP and 455TQ. Nissan will need to start working on their performance to keep up with the other sports cars out there. However there is quite a large performance parts market out there for the zcar and it does not take much to get a 370Z to beat up on pretty much all of the stock turboed cars on the market.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few years.

sx moneypit

Akurei

I wouldn't say it is slower. If you look at stock statistics between 1/4 miles, the Z is in the middle still in the mid grade sports car section. It is not the fastest, however not the slowest. Also, the 5.0 mustang is only a .3 - .5 second difference from a Z in the 1/4 mile stock for 10k more, however it is more mod happy than the Z obviously.

STICK_SHIFT

Considering that a 370Z is about a half-second faster to 60 than a base Porsche Cayman (which costs twice as much!), I think that the Z's performance is more than adequate.

birdman71

As of right now there are two options that Nissan can go with. The globally economical car (like Fords Eco Boost engines) and they make the Z a 2.0L TT which will be very bad for Z owners. or go with a 3.0L TT and compete with all the other sports cars that are increasing in stock power.

Or what I personally believe they should do. the 350 make it the 2.0 TT so they have their globally economical car they can sell. Not only that the rest of the world likes smaller cars anyhow. For the 370z (non-nismo) they should make it the 3.0L TT and for the Z Nismo they should sweeten the pot even more and do a 3.8LTT like the newer Hyundai Genesis.

Of course whenever we look at TT'ing a stock car from a manufacture add another 10k to the sticker price if not more. So it would push the Z out of the affordability range compared to Porsches because it would be just as expensive

But that's just my $.02

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BC416

I'm curious as to what cars you are comparing it to. Most people will mention the muscle cars (5.0 & SS) as being faster but those have significantly more HP. Also, when the Z came out in 2009, the Mustang GT was only packing the 4.6 and the Z outgunned it by a good margin. The Z's powerplant just hasn't been updated since it's introduction. Most of the comparable cars have.

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ban25

As some other posters have mentioned, the true competitor for the 370z is the Cayman (S), with which it compared very favorably in 2009 when I bought my Z and still does today. That said, if Nissan ends up taking the Z in a radically different direction (boosted 4 cylinder or premium sports car/porche/GTR territory), then I can see a Cayman GT4 in my future.

jaedub

The VQ has a very linear power band, which is why the Z shines towards the end power. If you want to make it go fast off the line, then just add a 4.08 final drive.

birdman71

Suggestion of a good brand and est price?

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Felix 808

You can get Nissan factory gears in 4.08. They'll run you around $2000 installed by a shop, or about $800 if you know what your doing & have the proper tools, if you don't it will cost you a lot more later .

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