Car and Driver Crashes a Nismo 370Z

pulpz

With the Z its issue with the pads more so than the entire braking system.

...I don't think there is an explanation. lol.

....now hold up there. Take the Nismo Z out and enter the Base Sport Z, and the LL1 goes to Nissan.

__________________

2016 Cayman GTS 6MT / 2017 Q60 Sport / 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD / 2015 Lexus IS 350 AWD F-Sport (Sold) / 2009 PG 370Z Sport 6MT, (Sold) / 2003 SS 350Z Enthusiast 6MT (Sold)

MightyBobo

I know full well what the cause is, and it can be blamed almost directly on whiney 350Z owners


Im assuming this is an admission of the fact that the Boxster isnt a bad car. Because if you think so, I think its fair to note the Caymen S MATCHED the time of the 911, with 65 LESS horsepower. I know some people are into the whole, "911 is the best Porsche zomg" mentality. Sad truth is, their mid-engined offerings are far more balanced, and the Boxster is an excellent example of that.

How do you figure? 1st: LL1 is $30K or less. A Base+Sport MSRPs for more than 30K, and they always go off of MSRP. 2nd: even if you go with base non-sport...the GT ran a 3:13.3, and the Nismo's best was 3:12.0. I can almost guarantee the less-sticky and smaller tires on the Base, not to mention the small horsepower deficit and even WORSE brakes, would handicap the Base even more. Winner: Mustang GT.

Long and short, its obvious the stock braking system (and of course, oil cooling) in the 370 is its Achilles heel at the moment. Fix those, and its perfectly track ready.

__________________
I don't own a car anymore.

pulpz

.....let me tell ya....on my '03 350Z the brake dust was ridiculous. But I'd gladly tolerate it for performance....but I swapped to Hawk pads, better performance and reduced brake dust.

No question....I was holding out for a Cayman,...but after a test drive, I realized it wasn't for me. Its not for people over 6'. Not comfortable at all. Otherwise, it was everything as advertised. I was really dissapointed, but felt alot better about not spending the extra money and staying with a Z.

The LL segment grouping is based on base price, not "as tested". If the Sport package is considered an option on the Base 370Z (as is the Track package - and any other options on the Mustang GT contribute to $6K over base price) then the Base Price for the 370Z price becomes <$30k.

I think they should group by "as tested" price and not base price. And I think they could do a better job of logically grouping looking at how the costs are distributed.

__________________

2016 Cayman GTS 6MT / 2017 Q60 Sport / 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD / 2015 Lexus IS 350 AWD F-Sport (Sold) / 2009 PG 370Z Sport 6MT, (Sold) / 2003 SS 350Z Enthusiast 6MT (Sold)

MightyBobo

I was just poking fun really, but thats my mentality too. I'll take a bit of dust/squeaks for good performance.


Well, either way - that begs the question...could the Base+Sport make up the 1 second difference between the Nismo and itself? It'd run into the same braking issues, thats for sure...and it only has less horsepower/softer handling...

Personally, I dont think so.

__________________
I don't own a car anymore.

370Zsteve

That really has not been addressed. But read this and tell me it doesn't add weight to the theory. This is not the first time the Nismo has lost to it's brother in a comparison, btw:

Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.


As factory track models go, the 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z is not the most hard-core beast ever built on a production line. Then again, it's no sticker-and-stripe-job either. Underneath the aggressive new bodywork is a substantially revised suspension and a slightly more powerful version of Nissan's latest 3.7-liter V6.

So how does it all work, you say? Well we wanted to find out too, so we took the new Nismo out to our test facility to run some numbers. Then we compared the results to our long-term 2009 370Z Touring.

It was a moderate day in terms of temperature for both tests, but both of the 370s had auxiliary engine oil coolers so all the track work wasn't much of a problem. Once the results started to come in, however, the Nismo continually failed to deliver any better numbers than our standard car. Whether it was braking (worse), acceleration (same) or handling (same, but scarier), the Nismo never came out ahead. Actually, it did beat the standard 370Z in one category -- full-throttle decibel level. See the full results and explanations after the jump.



Vehicle: 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z

Odometer: 1,027
Date: 06/16/09
Driver: Josh Jacquot
Price: $39,340

Specifications:
Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: 6-speed manual
Engine Type: V6
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 3,696cc (226 cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 7,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 350 @ 7,400
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 276 @ 5,200
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): Ventilated disc
Steering System: Speed-proportional power steering
Suspension Type (front): Double-wishbone
Suspension Type (rear): Multilink
Tire Size (front): 245/40R19
Tire Size (rear): 285/35R19
Tire Brand: Yokohama
Tire Model: Advan Sport
Tire Type: Summer performance
Wheel Size: 19-by-9.5-inches front; 19-by-10.5-inches rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): Alloy
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,356

Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.1
0 - 45 (sec): 3.6
0 - 60 (sec): 5.3
0 - 75 (sec): 7.7
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.6 @ 103.2
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 5.1
30 - 0 (ft): 28
60 - 0 (ft): 115
Braking Rating: Poor
Slalom (mph): 70.4
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.91
Handling Rating: Very Good
Db @ Idle: 47.1
Db @ Full Throttle: 84.8
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 72.9

Acceleration Comments: More than enough power to blow off its tires at launch. Best launch from about 4,800 rpm with some wheelspin. Gnarly rubber going into 2nd. Can't try too hard, however, or you'll miss entirely. It hates fast shifts.

Braking Comments: Clearly, pad bedding is important on the Z and this car doesn't appear to have had this done properly. Standard Z stopped shorter; this car feels like it has wooden pads. There's no fade, but also no effectiveness. Wildly inconsistent pedal feel, too.

Handling Comments: (Slalom) Added stiffness makes Nismo harder to handle in our slalom which isn't very smooth. I'm confident this car is quicker on a racetrack, but the sharp bump at cone 3 makes it a challenge here. Same speed as the normal car, but a lot more work to get there. (Skid pad) Communication is good, but overall this doesn't seem like a great street setup, and grip is inexplicably less than the standard Z.

Vehicle: 2009 Nissan 370Z

Odometer: 1,971
Date: 03/03/09
Driver: Josh Jacquot
Price: $40,320


Specifications:
Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: 6-speed manual
Engine Type: V6
Displacement (cc / cu-in): 3,969cc (226 cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 7,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 332 @ 7,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 270 @ 5,200
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): Ventilated disc
Steering System: Speed-proportional power steering
Suspension Type (front): Double-wishbone
Suspension Type (rear): Multilink
Tire Size (front): 245/40R19
Tire Size (rear): 275/35R19
Tire Brand: Bridgestone
Tire Model: Potenza RE050A
Tire Type: Summer performance
Wheel Size: 19-by-9.0-inches front; 19-by-10-inches rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): Alloy
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,374

Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.0
0 - 45 (sec): 3.5
0 - 60 (sec): 5.2
0 - 75 (sec): 7.6
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.5 @ 103.7
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 4.9
30 - 0 (ft): 26
60 - 0 (ft): 108
Braking Rating: Very Good
Slalom (mph): 72.0
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.94
Handling Rating: Very good
Db @ Idle: 49.2
Db @ Full Throttle: 82.7
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 70.3

Acceleration Comments: More revs are required here to get a sub 5.5-second 60-mph time, but I essentially use the same technique. The Z doesn't seem to like a lot of wheelspin -- it only gets slower. So getting the clutch out quickly and using WOT early is the key. This engine doesn't inspire at high rpm, but it does make power and lends itself to hard driving.

Braking Comments: Very good distance and pedal feel. We're not anywhere near approaching the thermal limits of these brakes in the succession of stops completed for this test.

Handling Comments: The more time I spend in the Z, the more comfortable I become. As of now, I've yet to drive it on the street -- only track testing. This is a communicative, direct-responding, focused sports car and it shows when it's asked to turn. Fun and fast. Around the skid pad there's immense grip, which seems to increase in direct proportion to how hard it's pushed. The rear doesn't want to step out and won't until something drastic (like instantly snapping off the throttle) is done. Even then, it's asking the driver if he really, really wants to do this. But it will play tail out it you want. And it's fun.

__________________
SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

Joehand1

How is a car with 20 plus less HP and almost identical otherwise faster from 0-60 and with better braking numbers????????????

Sport -30 - 0 (ft): 26
60 - 0 (ft): 108
Braking Rating: Very Good
Nismo-30 - 0 (ft): 28
60 - 0 (ft): 115
Braking Rating: Poor


Is this just a Nismo problem???????

Well, until I have a chance to replace the pads, I'm not taking a chance on tracking it.

__________________
2009 370 Z
2006 Ford GT
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera

ricky bobby

__________________
If you ain't first, you're last!

Zguy

they didnt have the most important mod of all.....





The Driver Mod.....

kekermahoney

true story! the article did mention a retest so I hope the Z fairs better the next time around...

LaSeeno

IDK man, I've owned a GSX, S4 and now a Z. I would never want an AWD vehicle for recreational use again. Not sure how you crash a Z and blame the car though. A good driver uses his tools to either avoid or get out of a crash.

dad

What are you saying?

LaSeeno

I guess that.