Explain these numbers: Carrera S vs 370Z

spearfish25 · 09-11-2010, 02:28 PM

So according to Road and Track, theses are the performance stats for the Carrera S, Cayman S, and 370Z. I have trouble figuring out why the Z is so much slower than the other two, particularly the Carrera S. Aside from the benefit of a rear weight bias for the Carrera giving a quicker 0-60 (better rear traction), the 1/4mi times baffle me. Is the 70lbs and 20hp/25tq that significant? All theories welcome...!

Carrera S
355hp
295tq
wt 3295lbs
0-60 4.1s
0-100 10.3s
60-0 111ft
1/4 12.6@111.9

Cayman S
320hp
273tq
wt 3100lbs
0-60 4.6s
0-100 10.6s
60-0 117ft
1/4 12.9@108.8

370Z
332hp
270tq
wt 3360lbs
0-60 5.2s
0-100 12.8s
60-0 115ft
1/4 13.7@103.9

zman1910 · 09-11-2010, 02:35 PM

Those numbers are probably with porsches PDK dual clutch tranny. Aside from that Porsche's engines are a lot more efficient in terms of making power and the whole car was developed from the ground up as a sports car.

The Z was developed around a general platform that many Nissan's incorporate. Quality and consistency is probably much better with Porsche...but you figure your paying for it also.

As far as I'm concerned Nissan's NA engine has always been overrated. If the Nismo is 350 it'll probably be on par with any other 300 hp engine.

In other words there are many factors that contribute here....could go all the way down to the tires. I'm sure porsche's engines don't overheat either and go into limp mode after a couple of hot laps on the track.

In the end it's a classic case of you get what you pay for.

BLUESLATE · 09-11-2010, 02:37 PM

Power band? Weight difference? I mean, there are more than just numbers involved with "performance" figures.

Cjanik · 09-11-2010, 02:38 PM

theres tons of factors....wind resistance, downforce, weight distribution, suspension, power chart, tires,....nissan says 370z is 332hp....even though its really putting down 2xx, maybe the porsche says 355 and its really putting down 355?

ProfessorDave · 09-11-2010, 03:08 PM

I certainly am impressed by the performance of the Carrera S and the Cayman S (and thanks for posting the stats!). But I could buy 2 fully loaded Z's for the price of a Carrera, and a fully loaded Z and an Altima for the price of the Cayman S. That's alot of $$ for a second or so 0-60.

spearfish25 · 09-11-2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfessorDave

). But I could buy 2 fully loaded Z's for the price of a Carrera, and a fully loaded Z and an Altima for the price of the Cayman S. That's alot of $$ for a second or so 0-60.

Agreed. I just was curious about the numbers game. I really question if those types of stats are massaged by either the manufacturers (for the hp/tq) or the magazines. It's like automobile politics.

I'm sure I could tear out 200lbs worth of stuff from my car and then add the HFCs and CBE to make it 350-360 crank hp. The carrera and cayman will still probably smoke me.

G37Sam · 09-11-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfessorDave

I certainly am impressed by the performance of the Carrera S and the Cayman S (and thanks for posting the stats!). But I could buy 2 fully loaded Z's for the price of a Carrera, and a fully loaded Z and an Altima for the price of the Cayman S. That's alot of $$ for a second or so 0-60.

I'm sorry if you think the Cayman is "just a second quicker" than a 370Z, the interior quality and finish of the Cayman is centuries ahead of that in a Z. The smell of their leather was enough to get my pants wet lol

They also get a PDK gearbox an engine that can be driven all day on the track without going into limp mode. The only advantage the Z has is its price.

dad · 09-11-2010, 03:53 PM

Three different cars, but more than likely-"three different drivers"! That can make a difference in the results! Not to mention gear ratio, aero dynamics, different tires!

ProfessorDave · 09-12-2010, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G37Sam

I'm sorry if you think the Cayman is "just a second quicker" than a 370Z, the interior quality and finish of the Cayman is centuries ahead of that in a Z. The smell of their leather was enough to get my pants wet lol

They also get a PDK gearbox an engine that can be driven all day on the track without going into limp mode. The only advantage the Z has is its price.

I'm not Porsche hating. They are awesome cars. I can't afford one, but I'm not sure I would buy one even if I could. I can't see myself spending $80k+ on any car!

G37Sam · 09-12-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfessorDave

I'm not Porsche hating. They are awesome cars. I can't afford one, but I'm not sure I would buy one even if I could. I can't see myself spending $80k+ on any car!

But the Porsche isn't just "any car" haha

True, if you're looking for a wallet-friendly car, the Porsche's aren't the route to go, you know how much labor it takes to replace the sparks on those mid-engines?? lol

Zsteve · 09-12-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfessorDave

I'm not Porsche hating. They are awesome cars. I can't afford one, but I'm not sure I would buy one even if I could. I can't see myself spending $80k+ on any car!

If you were a Millionaire several times over I bet you would spend that much on a car, agains its about what your money level can afford.

cptspeed · 09-12-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zsteve

If you were a Millionaire several times over I bet you would spend that much on a car, agains its about what your money level can afford.

I would rather have a car that everyone thinks is slower, and is awed when they find that its not. I also find that its better to have a few different cars than one that I can afford.

Zaggeron · 09-11-2010, 03:28 PM

Check the numbers at the Dyno. I'd be willing to bet the Carrera S is better than 20HP above the Z at the tires

tbonesteak · 09-11-2010, 03:29 PM

Carrera S even leaves the e92 m3 in the dust. I've driven both and they are in different leagues. The new carrera s I believe has 380hp and with the pdk, it's domination. The way it drives cannot really be explained in words. I've never felt such a direct connection with the road and you can literally feel all the machinery working together to produce that experience, but not in a harsh, punishing way. There is a reason why porsches are regarded so highly. In the beginning, i felt they were just overrated overpriced sporty cars, but you really don't know until you drive one. As far as the acceleration goes, i think their engines are much much more efficient, underrated as shown via dyno charts, the car weighs less, rear engine, etc. There is a best motoring video floating around where the nismo 370z ran against cayman, cayman s, carrera, carrera s, etc. and obviously the nismo came in last and for a good reason.

spearfish25 · 09-11-2010, 03:43 PM

So I found a dyno for a 997 Carrera S 3.8i

Listed as 385hp, 420Nm tq
Dyno: 366hp, 408Nm tq

It's embarrassing that Nissan claims the Z makes 332hp and then only puts down 270-280.

09-11-2010, 02:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1857	Explain these numbers: Carrera S vs 370Z So according to Road and Track, theses are the performance stats for the Carrera S, Cayman S, and 370Z. I have trouble figuring out why the Z is so much slower than the other two, particularly the Carrera S. Aside from the benefit of a rear weight bias for the Carrera giving a quicker 0-60 (better rear traction), the 1/4mi times baffle me. Is the 70lbs and 20hp/25tq that significant? All theories welcome...! Carrera S 355hp 295tq wt 3295lbs 0-60 4.1s 0-100 10.3s 60-0 111ft 1/4 12.6@111.9 Cayman S 320hp 273tq wt 3100lbs 0-60 4.6s 0-100 10.6s 60-0 117ft 1/4 12.9@108.8 370Z 332hp 270tq wt 3360lbs 0-60 5.2s 0-100 12.8s 60-0 115ft 1/4 13.7@103.9 __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

09-11-2010, 02:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
zman1910 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: FL Posts: 361 Drives: 2011 Audi S4 Rep Power: 429	Those numbers are probably with porsches PDK dual clutch tranny. Aside from that Porsche's engines are a lot more efficient in terms of making power and the whole car was developed from the ground up as a sports car. The Z was developed around a general platform that many Nissan's incorporate. Quality and consistency is probably much better with Porsche...but you figure your paying for it also. As far as I'm concerned Nissan's NA engine has always been overrated. If the Nismo is 350 it'll probably be on par with any other 300 hp engine. In other words there are many factors that contribute here....could go all the way down to the tires. I'm sure porsche's engines don't overheat either and go into limp mode after a couple of hot laps on the track. In the end it's a classic case of you get what you pay for. Last edited by zman1910; 09-11-2010 at 02:37 PM.

09-11-2010, 02:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
BLUESLATE Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Top Secret Posts: 390 Drives: 13' Subaru BRZ Rep Power: 16	Power band? Weight difference? I mean, there are more than just numbers involved with "performance" figures. __________________ Special Thanks to Counterspace Garage, RareJDM LLC, and Dave's Garage. Rota wheels give me nightmare. Thus, it makes Rota wheels the wheels of my dreams. barf

09-11-2010, 03:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 19	I certainly am impressed by the performance of the Carrera S and the Cayman S (and thanks for posting the stats!). But I could buy 2 fully loaded Z's for the price of a Carrera, and a fully loaded Z and an Altima for the price of the Cayman S. That's alot of $$ for a second or so 0-60. __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

09-11-2010, 03:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 26	Three different cars, but more than likely-"three different drivers"! That can make a difference in the results! Not to mention gear ratio, aero dynamics, different tires! __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

09-11-2010, 02:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cjanik Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 578 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 17	theres tons of factors....wind resistance, downforce, weight distribution, suspension, power chart, tires,....nissan says 370z is 332hp....even though its really putting down 2xx, maybe the porsche says 355 and its really putting down 355?

09-11-2010, 03:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
Zaggeron A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,951 Drives: '10 370ZR '13 BRZ Rep Power: 19	Check the numbers at the Dyno. I'd be willing to bet the Carrera S is better than 20HP above the Z at the tires __________________ 2010 Platinum Graphite 370z Roadster:Touring/Sport 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited

09-11-2010, 03:29 PM	#14 (permalink)
tbonesteak Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 914 Drives: MY09 MB 6MT Rep Power: 376	Carrera S even leaves the e92 m3 in the dust. I've driven both and they are in different leagues. The new carrera s I believe has 380hp and with the pdk, it's domination. The way it drives cannot really be explained in words. I've never felt such a direct connection with the road and you can literally feel all the machinery working together to produce that experience, but not in a harsh, punishing way. There is a reason why porsches are regarded so highly. In the beginning, i felt they were just overrated overpriced sporty cars, but you really don't know until you drive one. As far as the acceleration goes, i think their engines are much much more efficient, underrated as shown via dyno charts, the car weighs less, rear engine, etc. There is a best motoring video floating around where the nismo 370z ran against cayman, cayman s, carrera, carrera s, etc. and obviously the nismo came in last and for a good reason.

09-11-2010, 03:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1857	So I found a dyno for a 997 Carrera S 3.8i Listed as 385hp, 420Nm tq Dyno: 366hp, 408Nm tq It's embarrassing that Nissan claims the Z makes 332hp and then only puts down 270-280. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

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