Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post

scottgas · 02-24-2015, 07:33 PM

I am new here and don't have a Z yet. I am coming from the MR2 world. I have read a good bit of this thread though. I see people saying that there are limitations to what can be done N/A and still be streetable. On the MR2 board I am on, there is an interesting N/A build. There is an N/A Toyota 2GR being built for big power. The 2GR is Toyotas 3.5 liter V6. In fwd configurations it is rated at around 270hp. In rwd configurations (Lexus), it is rated at 306hp. The rwd engines do receive direct injection as well as some other mods. The owner is using a fwd engine to start with. Originally the owner of the engine was shooting for 400 hp at the crank. As he got into the build and after discussing with his builder, he started thinking 500hp/crank might be possible and streetable. On his engine he bored it to 3.6 liters. They have also tried different intake manifold set ups. THIS, seems to be a bottle neck for the 2GR as well as exhaust manifolds. So far they are seeing big gains on the top end with some of their intake manifold configurations. I do have to say that this engine seems to be choked off pretty badly from the factory. When dropped in a 2nd gen MR2 with custom headers, exhaust and intake system (stock intake manifold), they put out an additional 40-50 hp on the stock ecu. I will say that the 2GR heads are known to flow really well.
My point is, on paper, the VQ engines seem to be pretty close to Toyota's 2GR. If big N/A power can be made with the 2GR why not the VQ. the VQ37 already has more displacement to start with as well as a lot of R&D work. The Toyota engine isn't really know as a "performance" engine.
I don't know much about these Nissan engines beyond the basics but if they really pick up the gains in power that I read about with typical bolt on mods and a tune, that tells me they are pretty choked off from the factory. Probably to keep them quiet. The Toyota engine is QUITE loud when uncorked. If decent gains can be made with bolt ons and a tune, it would seem like these engines like to make power they just need help. If the heads flow well, it shouldn't be too hard. Has anyone experimented with individual throttle bodies on a VQ engine. From what I have seen on other modern engines, ITBs really wake up the top end.
1 difference that I am aware of is that Zs are new cars and MR2s are OLD! Not too many people will to experiment with new cars. I get it. Just my 2 thoughts.
If all goes right over the next year, I'll have my own lil Z. I can't wait.

02-24-2015, 07:33 PM	#36 (permalink)
scottgas Base Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Covington, LA Posts: 4 Drives: '86 Toyota MR2 Rep Power: 10	I am new here and don't have a Z yet. I am coming from the MR2 world. I have read a good bit of this thread though. I see people saying that there are limitations to what can be done N/A and still be streetable. On the MR2 board I am on, there is an interesting N/A build. There is an N/A Toyota 2GR being built for big power. The 2GR is Toyotas 3.5 liter V6. In fwd configurations it is rated at around 270hp. In rwd configurations (Lexus), it is rated at 306hp. The rwd engines do receive direct injection as well as some other mods. The owner is using a fwd engine to start with. Originally the owner of the engine was shooting for 400 hp at the crank. As he got into the build and after discussing with his builder, he started thinking 500hp/crank might be possible and streetable. On his engine he bored it to 3.6 liters. They have also tried different intake manifold set ups. THIS, seems to be a bottle neck for the 2GR as well as exhaust manifolds. So far they are seeing big gains on the top end with some of their intake manifold configurations. I do have to say that this engine seems to be choked off pretty badly from the factory. When dropped in a 2nd gen MR2 with custom headers, exhaust and intake system (stock intake manifold), they put out an additional 40-50 hp on the stock ecu. I will say that the 2GR heads are known to flow really well. My point is, on paper, the VQ engines seem to be pretty close to Toyota's 2GR. If big N/A power can be made with the 2GR why not the VQ. the VQ37 already has more displacement to start with as well as a lot of R&D work. The Toyota engine isn't really know as a "performance" engine. I don't know much about these Nissan engines beyond the basics but if they really pick up the gains in power that I read about with typical bolt on mods and a tune, that tells me they are pretty choked off from the factory. Probably to keep them quiet. The Toyota engine is QUITE loud when uncorked. If decent gains can be made with bolt ons and a tune, it would seem like these engines like to make power they just need help. If the heads flow well, it shouldn't be too hard. Has anyone experimented with individual throttle bodies on a VQ engine. From what I have seen on other modern engines, ITBs really wake up the top end. 1 difference that I am aware of is that Zs are new cars and MR2s are OLD! Not too many people will to experiment with new cars. I get it. Just my 2 thoughts. If all goes right over the next year, I'll have my own lil Z. I can't wait.