Former Z Owner's Rant about the 370z

Nismodean · 04-19-2012, 12:21 AM

I read eleven pages and I am shocked to see that not one single person mentioned the 4.5L stroker kit. People spend thousands on some carbon fiber and save a few pounds here and there (not including the full CF body pieces).
No one is willing to fork the money out to see what almost a full liter of extra displacement will do for an N/A Z? I can't imagine the performance gains you would get out of a Z with the full CF treatment and a 4.5L engine that can safely spin to 8,000 RPM (maybe bump the CR to 12.xx:1) with all the bolt on mods!

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-19-2012, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nismodean

I read eleven pages and I am shocked to see that not one single person mentioned the 4.5L stroker kit. People spend thousands on some carbon fiber and save a few pounds here and there (not including the full CF body pieces).
No one is willing to fork the money out to see what almost a full liter of extra displacement will do for an N/A Z? I can't imagine the performance gains you would get out of a Z with the full CF treatment and a 4.5L engine that can safely spin to 8,000 RPM (maybe bump the CR to 12.xx:1) with all the bolt on mods!

Wow... sounds like the worlds crappiest sounding v6 that guzzles a lot of gas for gains that will rival a v8 using double the amount of fuel. After stroking out a VQ, you better use some type of forced induction to control fuel consumption. I rather just buy the GTR engine and drop it in a Z for that money.

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-19-2012, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUFFSTUFF

Hey NYBladeZ, if there was one mod (mechanical or otherwise) that you would not do again, what would it be?

This is probably the best question in this whole thread..

Nismodean · 04-19-2012, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

you better use some type of forced induction to control fuel consumption.

That statement is just...wow. Let me turbo my car to save on fuel!

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-19-2012, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nismodean

That statement is just...wow. Let me turbo my car to save on fuel!

Uhhh you can use forced induction to add power and control fuel consumption if you program the ecu for such. A very low boost would add power and control consumption better under light driving than a car that bored out naturally aspirated. Of course if you get on that same car you will lose fuel, just like with intakes and exhaust mods.

mhcoss · 04-19-2012, 01:03 AM

I don't think anyone boring out their engine is really concerned about fuel efficiency

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-19-2012, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhcoss

I don't think anyone boring out their engine is really concerned about fuel efficiency

True but my point is it costs $8000 to bore it out. How much power you think a v6 will get on a naturally aspirated 4.5L V6? What would torque be on a 4.5L v6? I imagine torque ratio would be horrid without FI. At least with FI and a boost controller you would at least get the amount of power that's warranted for the amount of fuel used.
So let's say after boring it out, you decide to FI to level things out some. You are looking at 12k minimum to the 8k. At 20k+ you can get a factory GTR motor that will give you less problems overall. Then other supporting mods... that will be a 30k engine to make it run well. It would be more efficient and cost effective to attempt an LS1 swap. (If possible in the Z)
Not worth it imho but that's just me though. I guess thinking like someone who just likes experimenting with shyt? It might be a fun thing to do for some?

mhcoss · 04-19-2012, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

True but my point is it costs $8000 to bore it out. How much power you think a v6 will get on a naturally aspirated 4.5L V6? What would torque be on a 4.5L v6? I imagine torque ratio would be horrid without FI. At least with FI and a boost controller you would at least get the amount of power that's warranted for the amount of fuel used.
So let's say after boring it out, you decide to FI to level things out some. You are looking at 12k minimum to the 8kAt 20k+ you can get a factory GTR motor that will give you less problems overall. Then other supporting mods... that will be a 30k engine to make it run well.

Not worth it imho but that's just me though. I guess thinking like someone who just likes experimenting with shyt? It might be a fun thing to do for some?

Yea I'd be curious what kind of NA numbers are possible from it. I think the point of this kit though is for high end setups. If you bore the engine and FI your going to be far ahead of the GTR in terms of power...

GTM’s 1000HP Z

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-19-2012, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhcoss

Yea I'd be curious what kind of NA numbers are possible from it. I think the point of this kit though is for high end setups. If you bore the engine and FI your going to be far ahead of the GTR in terms of power...

GTM’s 1000HP Z

True

I can only see it being worth it with fI though. NA 4.5 v6? Why? Just go to v8 from there and save the trouble.

wstar · 04-19-2012, 01:25 AM

Is anyone really installing dry carbon replacements for all the major body panels? It would be insanely expensive (totally not worth it), and honest anything less would be silly from a weight drop point of view (with the "looks only" carbon bits you might save 0.4 lbs for thousands).

Much cheaper to leave the body alone and gut all the excess weight inside the car for racing. Or just leave it all alone and enjoy a nice street car :P

The Z's hp:weight ratio is perfect NA, IMHO, and scales well to a nice low-end track car if you do all the bolt-ons and the obvious weight-stripping. It's just enough to push the tires around and make a decent lap times, and not so much that it wants to fly out of control at the slightest throttle bump from a ripple in the road like some cars.

Would I take an extra 50whp for free? Sure, but it's fine where it is, too. If your primary goal is to accelerate harder, there are much better options than the Z. Try one of those little 80s mustang bodies with a blown LS1 in it. You can probably put the whole package together for cheaper than a stock Z and blow the doors off just about anything. I didn't buy the Z looking for that, or looking to compete with it :P

NYBladeZ · 04-19-2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUFFSTUFF

Hey NYBladeZ, if there was one mod (mechanical or otherwise) that you would not do again, what would it be?

Honestly, if I had to pick, I would say the braille battery but only because of reliability issues in the long term. For the weight savings, well lets just say that even after the carbon work the braille was a significant difference I felt it immediately. After that I regret the installer for my headers, using liquid gasket and not even mentioning it to me was a big no no.

onzedge · 04-19-2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Is anyone really installing dry carbon replacements for all the major body panels? It would be insanely expensive (totally not worth it), and honest anything less would be silly from a weight drop point of view (with the "looks only" carbon bits you might save 0.4 lbs for thousands).

Much cheaper to leave the body alone and gut all the excess weight inside the car for racing. Or just leave it all alone and enjoy a nice street car :P

The Z's hp:weight ratio is perfect NA, IMHO, and scales well to a nice low-end track car if you do all the bolt-ons and the obvious weight-stripping. It's just enough to push the tires around and make a decent lap times, and not so much that it wants to fly out of control at the slightest throttle bump from a ripple in the road like some cars.

Would I take an extra 50whp for free? Sure, but it's fine where it is, too. If your primary goal is to accelerate harder, there are much better options than the Z. Try one of those little 80s mustang bodies with a blown LS1 in it. You can probably put the whole package together for cheaper than a stock Z and blow the doors off just about anything. I didn't buy the Z looking for that, or looking to compete with it :P

NYBladeZ · 04-19-2012, 11:41 AM

I really thought about going N/A and 4.2-4.5L but frankly all that $ for what is more likely than not be less than 420whp...I couldn't justify it. Moreover, its not like you can then change your mind, you would need to swap out to low comp pistons and that's without mentioned the standalone EMS which fast and furious quotes for $10g's hahaha.

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-19-2012, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYBladeZ

I really thought about going N/A and 4.2-4.5L but frankly all that $ for what is more likely than not be less than 420whp...I couldn't justify it. Moreover, its not like you can then change your mind, you would need to swap out to low comp pistons and that's without mentioned the standalone EMS which fast and furious quotes for $10g's hahaha.

What would torque on a NA 4.2/4.5 be though? 300 lbs? Lol. These VQ's seem to produce low torque ratios as you bore out the engine.

cossie1600 · 04-19-2012, 01:46 PM

The 3.7L VQ is already rough. A 4.5L VQ will send vibration up your a$$hole and shake all your stools out.

04-19-2012, 12:21 AM	#166 (permalink)
Nismodean Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Washington Posts: 313 Drives: 2009 RIP Now 2012 Rep Power: 15	I read eleven pages and I am shocked to see that not one single person mentioned the 4.5L stroker kit. People spend thousands on some carbon fiber and save a few pounds here and there (not including the full CF body pieces). No one is willing to fork the money out to see what almost a full liter of extra displacement will do for an N/A Z? I can't imagine the performance gains you would get out of a Z with the full CF treatment and a 4.5L engine that can safely spin to 8,000 RPM (maybe bump the CR to 12.xx:1) with all the bolt on mods! __________________ The Truth, it hurts sometimes. FI LTH & FI CF CBE. This is a 370Z forum, if I want to fling poo at another brand of car and your feelings get hurt, then you're hanging out in the wrong forum (cry elsewhere).

04-19-2012, 01:25 AM	#175 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	Is anyone really installing dry carbon replacements for all the major body panels? It would be insanely expensive (totally not worth it), and honest anything less would be silly from a weight drop point of view (with the "looks only" carbon bits you might save 0.4 lbs for thousands). Much cheaper to leave the body alone and gut all the excess weight inside the car for racing. Or just leave it all alone and enjoy a nice street car :P The Z's hp:weight ratio is perfect NA, IMHO, and scales well to a nice low-end track car if you do all the bolt-ons and the obvious weight-stripping. It's just enough to push the tires around and make a decent lap times, and not so much that it wants to fly out of control at the slightest throttle bump from a ripple in the road like some cars. Would I take an extra 50whp for free? Sure, but it's fine where it is, too. If your primary goal is to accelerate harder, there are much better options than the Z. Try one of those little 80s mustang bodies with a blown LS1 in it. You can probably put the whole package together for cheaper than a stock Z and blow the doors off just about anything. I didn't buy the Z looking for that, or looking to compete with it :P __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

04-19-2012, 11:41 AM	#178 (permalink)
NYBladeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 2,158 Drives: Lotus Exige S Rep Power: 20	I really thought about going N/A and 4.2-4.5L but frankly all that $ for what is more likely than not be less than 420whp...I couldn't justify it. Moreover, its not like you can then change your mind, you would need to swap out to low comp pistons and that's without mentioned the standalone EMS which fast and furious quotes for $10g's hahaha. __________________ 2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold 2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

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04-19-2012, 01:03 AM	#171 (permalink)
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