And Turbo's don't? I would be embarrassed in a turbo V6 making 400hp in today's age of sports cars. A NA 380-400 hp V6 would still be something special. I'm pretty sure the first year Corvettes came with a wimpy a$$ straight 6. It made the jump. May not have been legendary at the time, but it still made the change. Look what happened in the 60's when they started shoehorning massive engines in small cars. I'm pretty sure manufacturers are doing the equivalent, but with turbo's. The Mustang gained 100hp from one model year to the next. I'm not saying your wrong, but I'm arguing the absurd statement. :)

The Mustangs jumped about 100 hp for the 2011 MY. 500 HP Z isn't happening any time soon, especially with the GT-R sitting around 550 HP currently. I think at most we'd see something around 400 HP. The current Nismo is at 350 HP right now so 400 HP would be a decent sized jump without being too crazy.

i would be surprised if it made it to 400 hp. maybe 370-380 would be my guess.

i would take that and be happy

Honestly, 300HP at the wheels is more than enough for the current chasis for the Z. Anymore and we'll be in overkill territory for all around stock package for around $30k range. I mean, it would be nice to be labeled "Corvette Killer" again like the 90s, but decrease weight would be more beneficial than increase power right now.

I would be fine with no power increase...

As long as they correct the: piss poor throttle mapping, lack of a "real" oil cooler, and the annoying over-compensating traction control system.

Listen...I've had to live with the thing and I can tell you this: it is a very good CONCEPT with some major flaws. There are little to no engines out there that put out the HP per liter this does in NA format. 1.3L 234HP is nothing to be ashamed about. They simply put that engine in the wrong car or it should have been turbo'd. Also, there are plenty of engines that burn oil on the market today and flooding issues were all elimiated in 2006 and above versions of the engine.

Now consider this Piston engines have more then 40 years advantage compared to rotary technology. It is very easy to complain about a dirty engine when there is more advanced technology. Now roll back piston engine tech 40 years and the rotary suddenly becomes impressive.

Keep in mind this is coming from someone who wishes he had an LSx powered Corvette. It's easy to dis technology based on bad press regardless if it was well deserved or not the technology is getting much better. The newest version if the engine is supposed to eliminate many of the issues mentioned but we shall see how much of that is true.

The new 1.6L 300HP NA is a rediculous achievement and in my opinion should be put in a Miata sized car with a hardtop. It's supposed to be cleaner with better gas mileage and more torque.

Is it outstanding? Depends...for the money and what you get out of the package...Hell Yes! Knowing they could have designed it better...then not really outstanding. I love my car but coming from a slightly built car previously I can tell you it handled better then the 370z (puts on flame suit). This not to say if I do a little work to the Z I can bring it up and beyond that level though. MY BIGGEST point here is dropping a heavier engine in a car that is already front heavy is a mistake. Can the heavier weight be compensated with suspension? Yes...crap load of negative camber up front with an expensive suspension. However, it is not the right way to do things dude sorry. THE ONLY 2 ways I would agree with a v8 is if they also install a rear mounted transmission like they do in the Corvette's and other Super Cars to compensate for engine and passenger weight or they redesign the current Nissan v8 to be lighter then the 3.7 VQ but we all know this is impossible with the current price point.

Look I am not saying that your views are wrong. I will say they are misguided. An engine to engine comperison is not valid here. Nissan engineers total packages and thus all components need to work together in harmony to create something special. I WISH they would install the 5.6 v8 WITH a rear mounted transmission to even out weight distribution. The Z would be marveled all over the world in it's bad arsedness! This wont happen...too much money (Nissan please prove me wrong here!!!!).

With Nissan making the chasis lighter a ligher motor is mandatory or else chasis and suspension engineering will be a pain in the butt and much more expensive. If the engine goes heavier you run the risk of crappy mustang handling (not including Boss 302).

Really!?!? LOL!! Comeon dude! :roflpuke2:

Let's name some examples of value (Price point is the key here) V8 sports cars that fall in the handling category:

- Base Corvette - $49,600
- Mustang Boss 302 - $42,995 - $49,990

Thats it...Dont include the Pontiac GTO's or the Holden's or even a Camero (ZL1 is way to expensive) cause they all suck handling wise with exception to the ZL1 which is way out of this price point.

Now what do those cars have that we dont?

Vette: rear mounted transmission with epically expensive suspension and really lightweight v8 (lighter then the VQ).
Boss 302: expensive adjustable suspension, they had to add a multilink suspension in the rear, it's a heavy car (3632 lbs).

The point here is Nissan spent it's money on the chasis instead of adding horse power and extensive suspension improvements compared to the Mustang and the Vette well they did it right but both cars cost on average between $10k and up to $17k more then the Z does today. Thats the cost of v8 power and handling the way you want it. If Nissan can keep the Z under $40k and do what corvette has done then go for it I'll be there to buy it.


Just say it...your a muscle car guy. It's ok. :happydance:

I refer back to my previous agrument above regarding this is not about power on it's own.

What happened when they put in bigger engines?
- Tire companies started making more money
- Muscle car fans were happier going in a strait line
- Drifting could have REALLY taken off if they knew what it was
- Cars became poorly balanced and had shitty handling

The Cobra was the only exception but that car was engineered to the best ability and technology available those days. Even then that car was impossible to drive considering how easily it could kill you...I want one! LOL!

You know the funny part? We agree but for different reasons. I agree with you a v8 would be epic but not if Nissan can't afford to do it right. You agree a v8 would be epic and think Nissan could do it right at the current price point. Someone please prove me wrong or else a low displacement turbo engine will be in our future.

(Looks for Rotary Troll Spray)

I disagree. I think they can sound like crap with the wrong setup but with the right setup sound awesome. Nothing like a 3 rotor though...screamer :eekdance:

Haha. I don't think they can maintain the current price point. The V8 would be a $40k+ car. Thats why I still vouch having a V6 option. I just want to :driving: moar faster!

You're forgetting that the 5.0 Mustang handles well enough compared to the Z and comes with 100 HP more with a V8 at around the same price point.

The next gen 5.0 is supposed to be 250 lb lighter, have IRS, and even more power. That is what the new Z may be competing with. Minor improvements will only put it further behind if the new 5.0 really gets all of those things.

Yeah I know it probably will, but since it hasn't been 100% confirmed yet, I'm still trying to keep some bit of hope for it :p

This is probably why I won't be looking at a Z for my next car. I want to take a step up in class in terms of performance, not to the side or down.

I don't think so, why would they downgrade it and decrease hp, displacement, etc.

I see Nissan making a mini-Z model to compete with the FRS. The Z will probably get either Forced Induction from the factory or get a much larger engine. Perhaps two engine variants?

EDIT: additionally just think carbon fiber is getting cheaper, meaning they can use more of it to decrease weight while maintaining price. Then they will probably add direct injection which will increase power.

Here's a link that talks about down sizing the engine.
I know it's just one link but i've read a couple of others and it still talks about down sizing the engine to 4cyn turbo.

I'm surprised nissan hasn't used DI for the 370Z yet. Other than having minor exterior changes over the yrs and price creeping up and haven't been able to have the same success as the 350z (probably due to the economy), it seems they will down size and make it cheaper. :shakes head::shakes head:

2015 Nissan Z May Be Lighter, Leaner

From what i read and from the link i provided, the boss from nissan wants to appeal to a wider range of people.
It seems more than likely i think they want the FRS/BRZ market instead of competing with the stangs, cameros and genesis.
I hope they keep the v6 and use di.

The author used the word "probable" for reduced engine size and type, but that was not what Shiro Nakamura stated. Paragraph below:

And that won't be achieved by making it bigger. "It cannot be any larger," he says. "It's at its maximum size now and should go leaner." By that he means lighter too, with the new model to feature a down-sized engine, probably a four-cylinder turbo rather than today's 3.7-liter V6. "It needs to be lighter, and more accessible to open the door to more people," he adds.

So I ask, why wasn't Shiro Nakamura quoted saying the most controversial statement in the entire article? This is hearsay from an author spinning words. I'll wait till I see the new G arrive, that will give us the best idea for what direction they want to go.

For all the guys wishing for turbo's, they had the 2.5L in the G they discontinued that might make a viable candidate, would take some reworking as it's just a mini VQ37VHR.