Living With It: 2009 Nissan 370Z (MotorTrend)

sbsmoov · 12-10-2008, 10:22 AM

I'm not happy about what was said about Nissan's VQ V6. Seems like Nissan has pushed it to the limit in the 370z. My question now is where does Nissan go from here performance wise with this motor? It appears to be maxed out and stressed out--and not in a good way.

I'm interested to hear everyone's thoughts.

Here's a quote from the article:

Quote:

My old friend, Nissan's VQ family V-6, is more powerful than ever, but it's also gotten noisy and harsh in its old age. Rev it to 5000 rpm and hold it there, and it'll vibrate your fillings. And it's not a pretty noise -- its just noise, like an industrial blender with bad bearings. This engine was creamy smooth at 3.0-liters, still nice from an NVH standpoint at 3.5, but unacceptable in this configuration, at least in this car. Nissan can and should do better.

Full article can be found here:
Living With It: 2009 Nissan 370Z | Car News Blog at Motor Trend

AK370Z · 12-10-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

There was a lot to like about the 350Z, and it was a huge success for Nissan when the brand and the company really needed one. I liked that it was a real two-seater, rear drive, and packed a lion-hearted motor. At the same time, to me, it was never fully baked. The styling was clunky, the interior was cheap, and the car had a heavy "muscle/sports car" kind of feel that was contrary to its mission as a road missle.

Nissan has put its sports car back in the oven, and the result is the new 370Z. By now, you know the basics, and you've probably read Ron Kiino's first test story as well as Arthur St. Antoine's blog entry, here on MTOL. So here's my nickel's worth.

Overall, the new car is an improvement over the model it replaces. It's faster, better looking, structurally stiffer, has a much improved cabin, higher limits, and some trick new technology. The 370Z is a squeege shorter and wider than the old one, and really looks the business.

The 370's face, with its overstyled headlights and "fangs" in the grille, resembles a catfish, but otherwise, the Z offers an arresting shape, especially in this brilliant yellow paint color. It's too bad the front end is so low, as the lower front fascia scrapes on everything, even moderate speed bumps.

The 350's door handles were strange-looking and felt unnatural to use. The new ones are still an obvious styling statement, but look better to my eye and feel better to the fingers.

Things inside move well upscale, yet is still businesslike and focused on driving. One touch that St. Antoine griped about is the "glowing dots" readout in the left IP pod for the temp and fuel levels. I agree. Besides looking contrived and asymmetrical, these gauges are hard to read. It's like the whole thing was done for styling sake, with no real benefit. Function shouldn't follow form.

My old friend, Nissan's VQ family V-6, is more powerful than ever, but it's also gotten noisy and harsh in its old age. Rev it to 5000 rpm and hold it there, and it'll vibrate your fillings. And it's not a pretty noise -- its just noise, like an industrial blender with bad bearings. This engine was creamy smooth at 3.0-liters, still nice from an NVH standpoint at 3.5, but unacceptable in this configuration, at least in this car. Nissan can and should do better.

Our tester had the optional 19-inch rolling stock. These forged alloys are light and beautiful. The low profile rolling stock adds an element of road rumble to the mix, but its the same in other cars, and it's likely that the person who wants max performance and orders this package knows what they're in for. But it works well in the grip, response, and braking standpoint. The Z is a performer, no doubt.

I'm not yet ready to order a Z for me. I (selfishly) hope that Nissan will address these issues with the 370's mid-life update a few years down the road. Then it will be the Z I know it can be, and will once again have this portion of the marketplace largely to itself. The '09 model represents an improvement after after the Z's time in the fire, but in my view, detailed recipe adjustments, and yet more bake time, are required.

AK370Z · 12-10-2008, 10:34 AM

Great article.

Quote:

My old friend, Nissan's VQ family V-6, is more powerful than ever, but it's also gotten noisy and harsh in its old age. Rev it to 5000 rpm and hold it there, and it'll vibrate your fillings. And it's not a pretty noise -- its just noise, like an industrial blender with bad bearings. This engine was creamy smooth at 3.0-liters, still nice from an NVH standpoint at 3.5, but unacceptable in this configuration, at least in this car. Nissan can and should do better.

This is not the first time it's been said that the new VQ almost seems maxed out to many automotive reviewers. Nissan is def reading these reviews and I think they are going to put a TT engine in their next Z update. With the GTR, they already have the technology in their hand. All they have to do is make a smaller (or detuned version of the GTR engine) engine with turbo and we will have our first TT factory ____Z

sbsmoov · 12-10-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK370Z

Great article.

This is not the first time it's been said that the new VQ almost seems maxed out to many automotive reviewers. Nissan is def reading these reviews and I think they are going to put a TT engine in their next Z update. With the GTR, they already have the technology in their hand. All they have to do is make a smaller (or detuned version of the GTR engine) engine with turbo and we will have our first TT factory ____Z

Yes. We have heard other reviewers say it seems maxed out. But I don't recall them using such negative statements like those in the article. "Rev it to 5000 rpm...it'll vibrate your fillings..noisy and harsh...not a pretty noise -- its just noise, like an industrial blender with bad bearings...unacceptable in this configuration...Nissan can and should do better". Thats waaaaay more than just saying it seems maxed out--the statements made here are more akin to saying this motor is garbage.

shizzawha · 12-10-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Yes. We have heard other reviewers say it seems maxed out. But I don't recall them using such negative statements like those in the article. "Rev it to 5000 rpm...it'll vibrate your fillings..noisy and harsh...not a pretty noise -- its just noise, like an industrial blender with bad bearings...unacceptable in this configuration...Nissan can and should do better". Thats waaaaay more than just saying it seems maxed out--the statements made here are more akin to saying this motor is garbage.

That does sound pretty harsh. I got to rev one at the nashville z rally and I personally was curious on how bad the engine vibration and noise was at the redline. I held it there for a good while and I will say it was slightly worse than the 3.5, but by no means horrible, or even bad. There was another guy there that did the same and he didn't notice any difference. This was in a yellow base model they had their personally at the Nissan headquarters and not the yellow touring they have as a part of the z rally. Maybe the z rally 370s and the demos have been beaten to death, I'm not quite sure.

Quote:

This is not the first time it's been said that the new VQ almost seems maxed out to many automotive reviewers. Nissan is def reading these reviews and I think they are going to put a TT engine in their next Z update. With the GTR, they already have the technology in their hand. All they have to do is make a smaller (or detuned version of the GTR engine) engine with turbo and we will have our first TT factory ____Z

I would love to see a TT Z again, but for now I've been pretty impressed with the Z34.

UNKNOWN_370 · 08-13-2012, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbsmoov

Yes. We have heard other reviewers say it seems maxed out. But I don't recall them using such negative statements like those in the article. "Rev it to 5000 rpm...it'll vibrate your fillings..noisy and harsh...not a pretty noise -- its just noise, like an industrial blender with bad bearings...unacceptable in this configuration...Nissan can and should do better". Thats waaaaay more than just saying it seems maxed out--the statements made here are more akin to saying this motor is garbage.

Actually, if you were reading reviews in 2009-2010. This was the normal. Its what inspired Z hate and killed the sports car sales aside from Bush's wars and econ plans. The Z's NVH was grossly overexaggerated by many. NVH is above average and only slightly abnormal for a sports car of this caliber. Also, NVH issues decrease to normal for a sports car in the automatic Z.

sbsmoov · 12-10-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK370Z

Great article.

Nissan is def reading these reviews and I think they are going to put a TT engine in their next Z update. With the GTR, they already have the technology in their hand. All they have to do is make a smaller (or detuned version of the GTR engine) engine with turbo and we will have our first TT factory ____Z

What's odd is that he's saying the motor is having issues at only 5000 RPM--that doesn't make sense.

As you say, maybe they will TT it in the next update or sooner in a special edition/upscale version. Hopefully they will follow BMW in what they did with their M3 (E46 version)--that motor was maxed out. And what's amazing is that the current M3 (E92) motor is 33 pounds lighter than the smaller straight six of the old car.

Nissan's VK Engine (VK50VE) comes to mind as a possible parallel to what BMW did with the M3. The VK is based on Nissan's VQ V6. The 5.0 L engine uses a 95.5 mm bore and 87.7 mm stroke. The VK50VE has Nissans VVEL technology (390HP & 369 lb-ft)

A version of the VK50VE would be awesome IMO especially with that impressive torque number.

HERE'S A LITTLE INSPIRATION FOR NISSAN:

TheManTheMyth · 12-10-2008, 11:55 AM

Gimme a break ....I have driven my friends G37 94018084230 times and the G37 has the same motor....car drove like a dream and believe me I was rippin it way above 5000 rpms in several gears....Motor Trend is a buncha haters....Car and Driver and Road and Track are where its at anyway

Endgame · 12-10-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheManTheMyth

Gimme a break ....I have driven my friends G37 94018084230 times and the G37 has the same motor....car drove like a dream and believe me I was rippin it way above 5000 rpms in several gears....Motor Trend is a buncha haters....Car and Driver and Road and Track are where its at anyway

I was just going to ask why do we not hear this bashing on the G37!?!? I have heard there was vibration in the higher revs, but not at 5k...

Has anyone else heard if the G37 is horrible??? I have not read anything but praise for the VQ37. Could an improper break in cause some of the issues they experienced?? Could excessive vibration be 'corrected' with a recall if it gets that bad?

RCZ · 12-10-2008, 01:54 PM

guys, this vibration is in part due to the Z's more focused materials and transmission. The chassis is stiffer, the bushings they use all over the place are more than likely stiffer as well. The steering rack bushings and the shift linkage bushings must be harder on the Z because they wanted it to feel more awake and direct. All those little things add up to possibly make a big difference in the way engine vibration and noise is transmitted into the cabin and into the driver. Don't be upset if you sports car vibrates a little, its a small price to pay for more direct steering and agility. if you care so much then buy a lexus because you shouldn't be buying a Nissan sport coupe.

It's not the end of the world, stop bitching. If I'm going to 5k RPM, I don't care if the car vibrates a little, I'm probably not cruising around the city at this point.

sbsmoov · 12-10-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

It's not the end of the world, stop bitching. If I'm going to 5k RPM, I don't care if the car vibrates a little, I'm probably not cruising around the city at this point.

Nobody's bitching...we are just having a discussion as to why such negative comments were made about the motor in the MotorTrend article. If anyone's bitching its the author of the article--no one on this forum is bitching about it.

RCZ · 12-10-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbsmoov

Nobody's bitching...we are just having a discussion as to why such negative comments were made about the motor in the MotorTrend article. If anyone's bitching its the author of the article--no one on this forum is bitching about it.

I was talking about the article.

370zgrl · 08-13-2012, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbsmoov

Nobody's bitching...we are just having a discussion as to why such negative comments were made about the motor in the MotorTrend article. If anyone's bitching its the author of the article--no one on this forum is bitching about it.

'10Anamoly · 08-13-2012, 02:42 PM

I'd say they could easily make more power with the VQ motor. Maybe a better balancer and some fine tuning to fix the vibrations, add in Direct Injection to cure the lower torque from the competition and even improve the intake manifold and intakes for more standard power. Could easily pull 370hp at the motor out to match the 370z designation.

KERMIT · 08-13-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zgrl

08-13-2012, 02:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
'10Anamoly Track Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: GA Posts: 882 Drives: 2010 370Z BS M6 Rep Power: 17	I'd say they could easily make more power with the VQ motor. Maybe a better balancer and some fine tuning to fix the vibrations, add in Direct Injection to cure the lower torque from the competition and even improve the intake manifold and intakes for more standard power. Could easily pull 370hp at the motor out to match the 370z designation. __________________ 2013 Ford Mustang GT 374rwhp, 360rwtq SAE / GT500 Axle-Backs / Brembo Pack / Track Pack / Recaros / 6spd

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12-10-2008, 11:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
TheManTheMyth Base Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 113 Drives: 05 Mazda 6 Rep Power: 281	Gimme a break ....I have driven my friends G37 94018084230 times and the G37 has the same motor....car drove like a dream and believe me I was rippin it way above 5000 rpms in several gears....Motor Trend is a buncha haters....Car and Driver and Road and Track are where its at anyway

12-10-2008, 01:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	guys, this vibration is in part due to the Z's more focused materials and transmission. The chassis is stiffer, the bushings they use all over the place are more than likely stiffer as well. The steering rack bushings and the shift linkage bushings must be harder on the Z because they wanted it to feel more awake and direct. All those little things add up to possibly make a big difference in the way engine vibration and noise is transmitted into the cabin and into the driver. Don't be upset if you sports car vibrates a little, its a small price to pay for more direct steering and agility. if you care so much then buy a lexus because you shouldn't be buying a Nissan sport coupe. It's not the end of the world, stop bitching. If I'm going to 5k RPM, I don't care if the car vibrates a little, I'm probably not cruising around the city at this point.