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

Superjoe · 08-05-2009, 06:22 AM

First, I have not seen/heard the new Z in person (I'm stuck in the middle east right now). And I did try to search.

All of the reviews that I have read so far say that the new VQ37 engine basically sounds like rubbish in the upper range. What gives? Have you all figured out what specifically causes it?

I suppose if it's just the intake or exhaust setup it's easily fixable, but the impression that I get is that it's something in the valvetrain.

Thanks!

zZSportZz · 08-05-2009, 08:04 AM

Well my personal opinion on the engine harshness is that it "feels" like the engine is not suppose to rev that high (totally subjective person to person). Anything past 5.5-6k rpm sounds almost like its being over-revved even though it isn't. Thats the best way I can explain it.

Its almost like a mind-game to me lol. I have to force myself to ignore the sound and have faith the engine isnt going to explode and slap me in the head.

Edit: Mine is broken in and I've driven it hard.

EDIT: I added a video in post #40

kdo2milger · 08-05-2009, 08:08 AM

basically what their talking about is the high rpm range (top end)...there is a lot of vibration in the motor as a whole on the top end...i couldnt tell you for certain myself, i am still in the break in period so ive been conservative on the rpms...

someone thats broken in theirs and has been in the upper rpm range could chime in to verify...

and welcome to the forum

m4a1mustang · 08-05-2009, 08:31 AM

The engine sounds and feels like it doesn't want to accelerate past 6k. Even still when I am going all-out I have to grit my teeth and force myself to go to 7500. It's very hard to push it all out because, even though it's not going to tear itself apart, it really makes you think it's going to tear itself apart.

tolnep · 08-05-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

The engine sounds and feels like it doesn't want to accelerate past 6k. Even still when I am going all-out I have to grit my teeth and force myself to go to 7500. It's very hard to push it all out because, even though it's not going to tear itself apart, it really makes you think it's going to tear itself apart.

this..

basically the motor at least in its z form is the opposite of what it should be. it should be inspiring as it revs up, yet it makes you cringe a bit instead. it is a major (and major is a good term based on just about every review and personal experience) drawback to an otherwise great car..

and sometimes thats how it is with a motor.. an otherwise well built piece just makes your teeth rattle as it spins up..

as to those who poo- poo its 'misely' 332 hp from 3.7L, it wasnt too long ago that c5 vettes came with v8s that produced 350hp and that was top hp from american iron NA motors..

rreign · 08-05-2009, 08:46 AM

Just a question here. I don't own a Z yet but I was wondering for those of you that do and have driven your cars pretty hard, do you think that putting eurethane motor mounts would help with the vibrations and harshness at higher rpms? It might just be a small fix to compensate for the harshness.

tranceformer · 08-05-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rreign

Just a question here. I don't own a Z yet but I was wondering for those of you that do and have driven your cars pretty hard, do you think that putting eurethane motor mounts would help with the vibrations and harshness at higher rpms? It might just be a small fix to compensate for the harshness.

I don't think that would help much. I was always under the impression that aftermarket motor mounts minimize engine movement at the cost of more NVH.

fuct · 08-05-2009, 09:46 AM

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

kdo2milger · 08-05-2009, 11:48 AM

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

shouldnt keep from it, this v-6 was built to scream!

m4a1mustang · 08-05-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdo2milger

shouldnt keep from it, this v-6 was built to scream!

It doesn't really scream, though. It cries for help above 6k.

GTRFAN · 08-05-2009, 09:58 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.

datsunguy · 08-05-2009, 11:04 PM

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.

tru_Asiatik · 08-05-2009, 10:03 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

fuct · 08-06-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tru_Asiatik

excuses excuses lol jk

my only excuse at the momment is loot!

shabarivas · 08-05-2009, 12:49 PM

its because they are used to driving the VQ35 which sounds amazing at that range

08-05-2009, 06:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Superjoe Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 3 Drives: None for now Rep Power: 17	What makes the Z's engine sound so bad (to reviewers)? First, I have not seen/heard the new Z in person (I'm stuck in the middle east right now). And I did try to search. All of the reviews that I have read so far say that the new VQ37 engine basically sounds like rubbish in the upper range. What gives? Have you all figured out what specifically causes it? I suppose if it's just the intake or exhaust setup it's easily fixable, but the impression that I get is that it's something in the valvetrain. Thanks!

08-05-2009, 08:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
zZSportZz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,095 Drives: 370z Blk on Blk 6MT Rep Power: 19	Well my personal opinion on the engine harshness is that it "feels" like the engine is not suppose to rev that high (totally subjective person to person). Anything past 5.5-6k rpm sounds almost like its being over-revved even though it isn't. Thats the best way I can explain it. Its almost like a mind-game to me lol. I have to force myself to ignore the sound and have faith the engine isnt going to explode and slap me in the head. Edit: Mine is broken in and I've driven it hard. EDIT: I added a video in post #40 Last edited by zZSportZz; 08-06-2009 at 11:05 AM.

08-05-2009, 08:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 60	basically what their talking about is the high rpm range (top end)...there is a lot of vibration in the motor as a whole on the top end...i couldnt tell you for certain myself, i am still in the break in period so ive been conservative on the rpms... someone thats broken in theirs and has been in the upper rpm range could chime in to verify... and welcome to the forum __________________ Project *NISMO*

08-05-2009, 08:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	The engine sounds and feels like it doesn't want to accelerate past 6k. Even still when I am going all-out I have to grit my teeth and force myself to go to 7500. It's very hard to push it all out because, even though it's not going to tear itself apart, it really makes you think it's going to tear itself apart. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

08-05-2009, 11:04 PM	#12 (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; 08-05-2009 at 11:25 PM.

08-05-2009, 08:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
rreign A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Age: 41 Posts: 2,341 Drives: 03 Evo 8 Rep Power: 710	Just a question here. I don't own a Z yet but I was wondering for those of you that do and have driven your cars pretty hard, do you think that putting eurethane motor mounts would help with the vibrations and harshness at higher rpms? It might just be a small fix to compensate for the harshness.

08-05-2009, 09:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	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

08-05-2009, 12:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 915	its because they are used to driving the VQ35 which sounds amazing at that range

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