What makes the Z's engine sound so bad (to reviewers)?

GTRFAN · 08-05-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuct

this topic is really the only thing keeping me from wanting a Z. coming from a 2JZ-GE im used to a nice buttery smooth inline 6.... hmmm

I agree with all comments...this motor has nowhere near the smoothness of the RB26DETT or the Toyota 2JZ-GTE, but they are both inline sixes and this is a V6 which I think has a lot to do with it.

I am heading towards the last part of my break-in period so I have been letting it wind out little by little. At 5k it starts to make the sort of noise and vibration almost like it's out of balance. I haven't pushed it much further yet.

tru_Asiatik · 08-05-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuct

this topic is really the only thing keeping me from wanting a Z. coming from a 2JZ-GE im used to a nice buttery smooth inline 6.... hmmm

excuses excuses lol jk

datsunguy · 08-06-2009, 12:04 AM

This is my 5th Nissan with a VQ motor and I feel the real sweet spot for bore/stroke displacement in a VQ was 3.0 like in the 95-01 Maxima. That VQ was Honda smooth at the top end. The increase to 3.5 seemed to be the begining of the upper rev range coarsness that only got worse with the bump to 3.7

There are drivers who like to live at the redline all the time, and engines out there (you know who they are) that have to live at the redline to make enough torque to raise my garage door.

In my opinion give me what the current Z motor does best, a nice fat midrange for the real world driving that I do.

wolf41779 · 08-06-2009, 04:07 AM

Couldnt agree with you more...Im not the kinda person to be bouncing the tach off the rev limiter every other shift. I just want to punch it every once in a while and feel a solid pull, or be able to merge in traffic with out having to down shift 2 gears. All of which the Z provides to me, and it looks damn right sexy doing it...

kdoske · 08-06-2009, 09:18 AM

I think the new engine could use a little bit more low end torque but besides that I like the fact the the engine isn't a beast until after 4000rpm. It makes the a good daily driver. Then when you want that extra power just slame it above the 4000rpm range and go to town.

The engine reminds me of and old turbo car I use to have to be honest. All that power kicking in above 3000rpm. Having said that I can see why there is an apeal for a Supercharger rather then a Turbo in this vehicle.

semtex · 08-06-2009, 10:15 AM

I think the stock intake and/or exhaust has something to do with it. After reading through this thread yesterday, I deliberately ran up to redline several times this morning, and my car doesn't sound bad at all at high rpm, nor does it feel rough in any way. It gets louder, of course, but there is no qualitative change in the sound or smoothness. But equally, if not more, important, at redline my car doesn't feel like it's wheezing or running out of breath. If anything, it feels like it's begging for more. Now, I've got my entire intake and exhaust system swapped out, hence my suspicion that the stock components are what accounts for the reviewers' impressions. So the downside to all this is that, in stock form, the car sounds and feels a little unrefined at the top end. I'm sure there are those who will argue that Nissan could/should have done a better job in this area, and I'm not taking issue with that view. On the upside however, at least there's a fix -- upgraded components.

zZSportZz · 08-06-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

I think the stock intake and/or exhaust has something to do with it. After reading through this thread yesterday, I deliberately ran up to redline several times this morning, and my car doesn't sound bad at all at high rpm, nor does it feel rough in any way. It gets louder, of course, but there is no qualitative change in the sound or smoothness. But equally, if not more, important, at redline my car doesn't feel like it's wheezing or running out of breath. If anything, it feels like it's begging for more. Now, I've got my entire intake and exhaust system swapped out, hence my suspicion that the stock components are what accounts for the reviewers' impressions. So the downside to all this is that, in stock form, the car sounds and feels a little unrefined at the top end. I'm sure there are those who will argue that Nissan could/should have done a better job in this area, and I'm not taking issue with that view. On the upside however, at least there's a fix -- upgraded components.

You bring up a good point. I bet most of us who think it is REALLY harsh still has a stock exhaust...which is much more quiet allowing more of the engine noise to come through.

When I was at AAM, one of the guys said the same exact thing - that you WANT to get an aftermarket exhaust to cover the sound of the engine.

Anyone with upgraded exhaust still think is sounds really harsh? As I said above, I'm willing to bet all the the guys in this thread who think its really harsh as I do...are running stock.

fuct · 08-06-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tru_Asiatik

excuses excuses lol jk

my only excuse at the momment is loot!

Endgame · 08-06-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

I think the stock intake and/or exhaust has something to do with it. After reading through this thread yesterday, I deliberately ran up to redline several times this morning, and my car doesn't sound bad at all at high rpm, nor does it feel rough in any way. It gets louder, of course, but there is no qualitative change in the sound or smoothness. But equally, if not more, important, at redline my car doesn't feel like it's wheezing or running out of breath. If anything, it feels like it's begging for more. Now, I've got my entire intake and exhaust system swapped out, hence my suspicion that the stock components are what accounts for the reviewers' impressions. So the downside to all this is that, in stock form, the car sounds and feels a little unrefined at the top end. I'm sure there are those who will argue that Nissan could/should have done a better job in this area, and I'm not taking issue with that view. On the upside however, at least there's a fix -- upgraded components.

Excellent post Semtex. When I get my Z powerwise I will have the stock setup for about a year. I will be sure to test your theory out as the engine breaks in, then when I add the intake/exhaust stuff afterwards.

I bet a tune on top of the mods would make it want to rev even more so.

zZSportZz · 08-06-2009, 12:02 PM

So I decided to add a little bit of real data to this thread instead and let people decide for themselves. I just went out and made a little video...its with my blackberry so its a little shotty....but you get the point. Holding a phone, driving, and shifting all at the same time was hard haha......I shifted nice and slow so you could hear it.... I'm 100% stock at the moment...video is from inside with windows up leaving my house.

What do you think? Harsh or not?

Edit: I think a lot of people may have upgraded exhaust before their breakin period was over and may have never even heard the car at redline stock.

semtex · 08-06-2009, 12:07 PM

I don't think it sounds harsh. It sounds like a sports car.

semtex · 08-06-2009, 12:11 PM

Here's my car for comparison. I go to redline from about 1:15 to 1:25 in the video. You might need to turn the volume down a little, btw.

m4a1mustang · 08-06-2009, 12:48 PM

Could the stock exhaust and intake be so restrictive that the engine harshness is a result of it being so strained at high RPMs... kind of like breathing through a straw while running and trying to poop while extremely constipated at the same time? Sorry for the analogy, but it's the best I could come up with.

Given the gains we have seen with intake/exhaust, it may be the case.

marcussoori · 08-06-2009, 12:59 PM

I assume you all are only talking about the manual tranny cars, as mine is an auto and there is no harshness at all. The engine freely revs to redline on my car. Also, I don't know if this makes a difference, but I totally ignored the break-in procedure.

semtex · 08-06-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Could the stock exhaust and intake be so restrictive that the engine harshness is a result of it being so strained at high RPMs... kind of like breathing through a straw while running and trying to poop while extremely constipated at the same time? Sorry for the analogy, but it's the best I could come up with.

Given the gains we have seen with intake/exhaust, it may be the case.

That would be my guess. Mind you, I don't think it sounds all that strained even when stock, so I guess you guys should take my opinion on this with a grain of salt. Maybe years of driving cars with loud exhausts has damaged my hearing and I'm just not picking up on whatever the rest of you are hearing.

08-06-2009, 12:04 AM	#33 (permalink)
datsunguy Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nashville Posts: 27 Drives: 09 370Z PG/B 7AT Rep Power: 17	This is my 5th Nissan with a VQ motor and I feel the real sweet spot for bore/stroke displacement in a VQ was 3.0 like in the 95-01 Maxima. That VQ was Honda smooth at the top end. The increase to 3.5 seemed to be the begining of the upper rev range coarsness that only got worse with the bump to 3.7 There are drivers who like to live at the redline all the time, and engines out there (you know who they are) that have to live at the redline to make enough torque to raise my garage door. In my opinion give me what the current Z motor does best, a nice fat midrange for the real world driving that I do. __________________ 09 370Z Platinum Graphite/Black Touring Sport 7AT 93 Pathfinder SE V6 4x4 winter driver Last edited by datsunguy; 08-06-2009 at 12:25 AM.

08-06-2009, 10:15 AM	#36 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 33	I think the stock intake and/or exhaust has something to do with it. After reading through this thread yesterday, I deliberately ran up to redline several times this morning, and my car doesn't sound bad at all at high rpm, nor does it feel rough in any way. It gets louder, of course, but there is no qualitative change in the sound or smoothness. But equally, if not more, important, at redline my car doesn't feel like it's wheezing or running out of breath. If anything, it feels like it's begging for more. Now, I've got my entire intake and exhaust system swapped out, hence my suspicion that the stock components are what accounts for the reviewers' impressions. So the downside to all this is that, in stock form, the car sounds and feels a little unrefined at the top end. I'm sure there are those who will argue that Nissan could/should have done a better job in this area, and I'm not taking issue with that view. On the upside however, at least there's a fix -- upgraded components. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

08-06-2009, 12:07 PM	#41 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 33	I don't think it sounds harsh. It sounds like a sports car. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

08-06-2009, 12:11 PM	#42 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 33	Here's my car for comparison. I go to redline from about 1:15 to 1:25 in the video. You might need to turn the volume down a little, btw. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

08-06-2009, 12:48 PM	#43 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Could the stock exhaust and intake be so restrictive that the engine harshness is a result of it being so strained at high RPMs... kind of like breathing through a straw while running and trying to poop while extremely constipated at the same time? Sorry for the analogy, but it's the best I could come up with. Given the gains we have seen with intake/exhaust, it may be the case. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

08-06-2009, 04:07 AM	#34 (permalink)
wolf41779 Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Desert Posts: 83 Drives: PW 370 Rep Power: 16	Couldnt agree with you more...Im not the kinda person to be bouncing the tach off the rev limiter every other shift. I just want to punch it every once in a while and feel a solid pull, or be able to merge in traffic with out having to down shift 2 gears. All of which the Z provides to me, and it looks damn right sexy doing it...

08-06-2009, 09:18 AM	#35 (permalink)
kdoske Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 541 Drives: 800whp Unicorn FI Z Rep Power: 17	I think the new engine could use a little bit more low end torque but besides that I like the fact the the engine isn't a beast until after 4000rpm. It makes the a good daily driver. Then when you want that extra power just slame it above the 4000rpm range and go to town. The engine reminds me of and old turbo car I use to have to be honest. All that power kicking in above 3000rpm. Having said that I can see why there is an apeal for a Supercharger rather then a Turbo in this vehicle.

08-06-2009, 12:02 PM	#40 (permalink)
zZSportZz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,095 Drives: 370z Blk on Blk 6MT Rep Power: 18	So I decided to add a little bit of real data to this thread instead and let people decide for themselves. I just went out and made a little video...its with my blackberry so its a little shotty....but you get the point. Holding a phone, driving, and shifting all at the same time was hard haha......I shifted nice and slow so you could hear it.... I'm 100% stock at the moment...video is from inside with windows up leaving my house. What do you think? Harsh or not? Edit: I think a lot of people may have upgraded exhaust before their breakin period was over and may have never even heard the car at redline stock.

08-06-2009, 12:59 PM	#44 (permalink)
marcussoori Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 468 Drives: 09 370Z Red AT Sport Rep Power: 16	I assume you all are only talking about the manual tranny cars, as mine is an auto and there is no harshness at all. The engine freely revs to redline on my car. Also, I don't know if this makes a difference, but I totally ignored the break-in procedure.

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