2009 Nissan 370Z: Not Quite Awesome Enough

Brent, gorgeous pic by the way. Gives me a twinge of regret for moving to Seattle.

Has this VQ37 gotten coarser than the VQ35? I just pruchased a 2005 G35 with the VQ35 REV-UP motor (revs to 7,000 rpm), and it is definitely coarser than the sweet VQ30 in my 1997 Maxima. The engine vibrates the clutch pedal, too. Interestingly, while a tad raspy, it has a wonderful burble at startup, and race-inspired bark above 5,000 rpm's. Still, it does make me appreciate the older VQ's sweetness...

The G35 is an entertaining car. My initial impressions are that it's a blend of the A4's solidity, with the 350Z's sense of wild-hare spirit, and a little below the well-calculated refinement and balance of the 3-series.

And, with any luck, it will be affordable to maintain compared with the German rivals!

I cannot stand the Nissan VQ exhaust note.

It's just an annoying buzz...it has no "voice".

I love the juxtaposition of the first two comments.

The VQ37 was supposed to be smoother than the VQ35, maybe these large displacements V6 engines are just not inherently balanced enough. I think the larger they get the less refined they are, because they are pushing more mass.

Perhaps an inline 6 would be the answer... maybe BMW is on to something.

On the other hand... the 4 in my Miata is not as pleasurable to rev as the larger displacement 4 in my TSX.

carguy- BMW's I6 is only 3 liters which is on the small side of all modern six cylinder engines. a 3.7L V6 spinning to 7600rpm is asking for trouble in terms of NVH if you don't know what you are doing (and apparently Nissan doesn't). Every time the VQ has increased in size there have been universal complaints of increased NVH so this is a pattern. Other companies don't seem to have this issue with they're larger V6s (Acura, GM and Ford/Mazda).

That artificial Nissan/Infiniti exhaust note is a little over the top if you ask me. The FX is the worst offender and how is it possible that the Fx35 and FX45 (first gen models) sound exactly the same from the outside? You can hear one driving past a block away.

Definitely no match for the sweet V8 exhaust clips from the 3 musclecars edmunds posted a few weeks ago. That aftermarket one sounds ok but still pretty raspy as the revs increase. Oh well, it's still a good car.

Never noticed the bunghole brakelight between the exhaust pipes. wonder why they needed a 4th brake light?

Brent, I would like to see the expanded list of, "Brent's Sports Car Awesome World". I think you need to write that in Edmunds Daily. :) Lately, I haven't been able to troll around the blogs as much since I've been working on development items here @ work, so I'm not sure if you've written a blog on that topic yet. Anyhow, I've driven the 370Z and kind of flogged it around Angeles Crest a few months back and I must say that I'm pleased with this car. The 350 was a bit of a porker and you could tell when you go through a series of esses or tight turns; the tendency to understeer due to weight was a little of a problem (though you COULD correct it). I haven't experienced that in this car; it's quite balanced. I know your issue is with the engine and I have to admit, I haven't noticed or paid attention to what you indicated above. I was just glad to drive it "freely". One nice thing about all of these JDM cars is the sheer abundance of aftermarket parts that can be added on. If you want a nice exhaust note, you can get the Powerhouse Amuse R1 Titan exhaust system. Beware, however, of the astronomical price. It should be around $3k. ;P

They all get worse as the models go on...the 944 2.7 wasn't as sweet as the 2.5, even the 1.8 '90 Integra wasnt as good as the original 1.6. And don't even get me started on the K20 Honda versus the old belt-driven VTECs...

@trackwerx
I didn't include the full list of BSCAW for fear of the post being sidetracked. It could be fun as a separate post sometime in the future, though. :) For the 370Z, its handling isn't in doubt, just the soul-stirring ability of the engine, which is sadly lacking. And for BSCAW, that quality is critical.

@cruiserhead
The "bunghole" is actually a rear foglight. On our car (and, presumably, all US spec cars) the location is blanked off with black plastic. Bunghole's a good term for it! :)

"The V6's coarseness and vibration at anything past 5,000 rpm are just plain bad."

This is nothing new as the first batch of VQ35's were harsh compared to other OHC V6s and Nissans own VQ30. That VQ30 was super SLICK.

"And don't even get me started on the K20 Honda versus the old belt-driven VTECs"

Elbee, Ive sampled numerous variations of Hondas B, H, F, and K series engines and all were refined. The K before the balance shafts were added was a tad boomy, since then its been as good as or better vs the B as far as refinement is concerned.

The B18C1 (Interga GS-R engine) however made the best sounds as the VTEC activation and dual intake runners opening was simply magnifico! The K in the Civic Si is good in the noise department also. Both engines are very refined.

Keep in mind noise and refinement are 2 very different things.

Ah a rear foglight. Audi simply hides the rear foglight inside one of the taillights.

I guess the 370z's bunghole looks like a hitch reciever too... odd styling detail there.

Some highly strung engines just don't sound that great... I'll take less weight and more power over engine/exhaust sound any day. How do you feel about the E46 M3 engine sound? It has amazingly smooth power delivery but mine always sounded like crap. When I had an E46 M3 my friends used to ask if there was something wrong with the exhaust because it was so raspy/rattly sounding.

Eville_Stu, I think the complaints stem from lack of refinement not exhaust notes. Im willing to bet that your M3's I6 was super refined while the VQ has became gritty.

Hondacura4,

Yet, to most drivers, refinement and exhaust notes go together, just as taste and smell. Therefore, maybe the tuned snorkus thingies will become more prevalent to amplify what is best about engine notes.

There's a reason BMW has stuck with the inline-6 for so long -- it has perfect primary and secondary balance, for inherent refinement without the need for balance shafts or other band-aids. The only thing smoother is a V-12, since it's essentially two inline-6s joined to a common crankshaft. Inline 6s are just more difficult to package under the hood, which is why V6s are more common.

Most V-8s are very smooth too, but it's due to the crankshaft design (cross plane). And it's the firing order necessitated by that crankshaft design which gives it the great rumble.

Engine design is a fascinating compromise of many conflicting objectives.

I'll admit that the VQ37 in my G37s is a bit harsh in the upper rpm range but I still don't get these complaints about engine sound. To me it is one of the sweetest engine noises I've ever heard, both inside and outside the car. Also, since when did supposed car enthusiasts get their panties in such a bunch about NVH in a SPORTS CAR?!?!? Hell some of the best sports cars ever made rattled around like tin cans and nobody complained about them. If you want something smooth and numb why not buy a Camry?

@majin_ssj_eric,

The VQ37 in your car is far more muted than the one in the new Z. Driving the G37 and the Z back to back, it's night and day. There must be a bunch more sound-deadening material on the G's firewall. Also, the G37 still has that distinctive 350Z/G35 quasi-exotic exhaust note, which I think is cool.

The 370Z, on the other hand, has the worst of both worlds: more engine racket, and as Brent mentions in the post, none of the old distinctive exhaust note (for some reason the Z guys took it away for this generation).

-Sadlier

I loved the exhaust sound of my '03 G35 Coupe (exact same as the 350Z's exhaust note). Some people don't like it, and think it sounds "artificial", but I really liked it. It was a unique sound, slightly exotic. One automotive journalist described it as if you could squint your ears, you can almost hear a faint howl of a V-12, and it's true.

There are no V-6's that have the soul-stirring sound of a V-8 or a V-12, but the last-gen 350Z's exhaust did the best possible with a V-6's voice, IMO.

If the new 370Z's exhaust doesn't have that unique growl that the 350Z had, I would say that is a big negative.

One of my friends once pointed out after driving my 05 G35 (revup like the other poster) that Nissans using the VQ35 in transverse (FWD) apps didn't seem to have nearly the vibration and coarseness issue that the RWD models do. So it might be a matter of not just internal balance, but how Nissan is mounting and damping the engine.

Perhaps Nissan needs to invest in some more exotic tuned mounts to help counteract the vibration. The mounts in my G35 didn't seem that stiff to begin with though, as there was plenty of shifter rocking under accel in low gears.

On the topic of other manufacturer V6s, Honda's J35 was definitely rougher around the edges than the ultra smooth J30. And while I've only driven the J37 in the MDX, there seems to be a bit more grit there vs. the J35. Between the transverse mounting and the automatic only application it doesn't seem objectionable, but it is there if you look for it.

Finally, I liked the VQ specific exhaust note. I only wish that it sounded as good in the car as it did outside the car. Strangely enough though, I work with several Hollywood sound guys who record cars for movies and they hate the VQ exhaust note. You mention it to them and their noses involuntarily wrinkle up like someone farted...

Well well well, if it isnt the famous Mr. Shawn Church. Its Patrick aka CivicB18 on TOV. Good to see you.

I'm so jealous. You guys get paid to drive this thing? I wish I had one and I'm sure someone will make a bad ass after market exhaust.

I think I mentioned this in another thread about the car.

I had a 350Z and when I put an intake and exhaust on it sounded beautiful. I think it does get a little harsh through the rev, but it's not as terrible as everybody here is saying. What are we comparing it to? An F430? Or one of the other BORING V6 engines that you don't hear? Is ACURA's V6 good sounding? Who knows you can't hear it.

I'd say put on the NISMO intakes and exhaust then make a decision.