2009 Nissan 370Z: Truckin'

I know exactly what you mean Kurt, the VQ series engine in the Z is just too rough to enjoy, it is ok in a truck, not in a sports car. I had the exact same feeling as you, I like most sports cars, just not the Z, it took me a while to figured out why.

Somehow the VR engine in the GTR is not rough like the VQ, maybe more development money was spend on the VR.

Put the 2GR-FSE into the Z then problem solved.

A rev-matching 6-speed manual mated to a 332 hp V6, in a Frontier? Talk about a sleeper.

They did it in the 90s. I have a 1990 240SX with the 2.4L out of the old Hardbody pickup. Really takes away from the sports car feel.

the world is better with a sports car with a truck engine than with no sports car at all... the VG30DE lived life in a truck as well. they completely rebuilt the engine when they did the Twin Turbo, as they did with the GT-R's engine. it is the way of Nissan.

There's more of this truck-engine-in-a-sports-car business: The supercharged V8 in the Ford GT is from an SVT Lightning pickup.

And since we're coming up with other examples of this happening, let's not forget the original Viper V10 is from the Dodge Ram. Also the 2.3 liter Mazda/Ford pickup engine is actually a reasonably popular swap into the Miata, since it's the best option for naturally aspirated torque that readily fits without destroying the weight distribution like a 302 does.

I believe Kurt is referring to the VR motor's poor NVH properties at higher rpm.

The difference here is that most of the motors mentioned above are signficantly re-engineered for sports car duty, and due to their layout (except the mazda four cylinder) are inherently smoother than a V6.

BoooYA! I swore I could actually hear the rim shot as I read that. Thanks for the pre-fireworks laugh Mr Kurt.

I suppose I'm amazed that so many avowed car-guys (and gals) dislike what by rights should be a fantastic enthusiast car. I think it is sad. Was the 350 more popular?

You guys need to throw a short-ram or cold-air intake on that bad boy and then see if you still complain about the engine. The howl that envelops you at higher revs will make you fall in love with it and stop all this whining.

I guess I should have said throw TWO intakes on it.

"By sherief on July 2, 2009 6:22 PM
I believe Kurt is referring to the VR motor's poor NVH properties at higher rpm."

Exactly. There have been HUNDREDS of sports cars over the years that used derivatives of, or direct placement of, engines also found in trucks, by nearly every manufacturer. That's not the point - the point is what sherief wrote.

A truck engine in a sports car is not always a bad thing - as long as it's done right.

You guys should get a Frontier in the long term test fleet.

I wonder how much of the dislike for the Z stems from the high beltline. The car felt like a cocoon to me, with poor visibility to the rear and periphery. The Corvette was actually, surprisingly, quite a lot better.

I wonder as well if the Z's overwhelming competence doesn't detract from the day-to-day experience. How much fun would a GT-R be if you took away the ludicrous acceleration?

God I am so sick of all these namby-pamby complaints from you guys about the Z. Its a sports car whose only apparent offense is that you can feel the engine vibrating. You would think this was the single worst car ever built by reading your continual trashing of it. Nevermind its awesome performance, edgy styling, incredible value, and high quality interior; the engine vibrates so its a piece of crap, right? I don't see how any of you guys can call yourselves car enthusiasts...

Vibration is not the main problem. It's the sound and general feel you get when revving the engine to higher rpm. You should want to shift at redline every time just to hear and feel the engine.

"The supercharged V8 in the Ford GT is from an SVT Lightning pickup."

Merkava5, although the basic architecture is similar there are many...many major differences.

Out of the entire Ford modular engine family, the Ford GT's blown V8 actually resembles the 5.4L Navigator engine with the same bore, stroke, forged crankshaft, and DOHC layout. However, that's where the family resemblance ends. Unlike the cast-iron (block) Navigator engine, the Ford GT features an all-aluminum block that utilizes forged H-beam connecting rods, which are specifically built for Ford by Manley with a set of ARP bolts, and even comes equipped with boost-friendly forged 8.4:1 compression Mahle pistons.

The heads are a derivative of the '00 Cobra R Mustang heads that have been massaged for better airflow. To truly appreciate that this isn't just a Navigator engine with a blower, you must pay close attention to the factory dry-sump oiling system, twin injectors per cylinder and the ability to meet all current emissions and durability standards. An SVT Lightning V8 it is not.

hey I second the vote for a frontier in the long term fleet... you guys have no full size pick-ups right now! with the whole gas/full size truck necessity debate why don't you see what it's like to live with a 4 door midsize truck? see if it's worth the smaller size and does it actually still do what you need and save any fuel or money?

"Put the 2GR-FSE into the Z then problem solved."

louiswei, exactly, why is Toyota's V6 so amazingly smooth and Nissan's VQ V6 so rough? Actually the VQ engine is the main reason why I don't like the G35/G37 Infiniti. Come to think of it, I don't like any cars/trucks that got the VQ engine.

trentor, making the intake louder probably make it worse, as you can hear more of the roughness. The solution here is skip the Z and buy the GTR, the GTR's VR38 is smooth.

alexdi, the GT-R would be pointless without the ludicrous acceleration, it is the point of the car.

majin_ssj_eric, the engine is the heart of a sports car, if the engine is bad, the rest of the car can't make up for it.

"the engine is the heart of a sports car, if the engine is bad, the rest of the car can't make up for it."

Sounds like BS. If the engine were incompetent in terms of power or torque delivery, then it would be true. The performance is in no way compromised on this occassion. There are plenty of cars with relatively low power (RX8, S2000) and it doesn't make them any less enjoyable.

lazyhater,

Actually, it does not make it worse. The extra air actually smooths it out a tiny bit. Plus, the crazy scream of the intake at WOT eliminates most of the roughness you hear. :)