Is the 370 "future proofed"?
 

Hey guys, I was reading an article in C&D today on the new 2011 Mustang and I came across something interesting in the article. They stated that Ford has "future proofed" the engine in the Mustang for applications such as direct injection. I'm guessing this means that DI can be added down the line? Doesn anyone know if Nissan did the same for the Z?

Anything can be "future proof," but does it mean they will use the same engine when they do go DI, maybe/maybe not.

"Future Proofed" a Ford? I think that's just a nice way of saying they finally went to an overhead cam standard...

lol they've had that for a long time.

It's GM that still runs the pushrods.

They added modern tech like free flowing heads, 4-valves per cylinder and variable valve timing.

The comment in the article regarding "future proofing" was mainly directed to the block being built tough enough to handle additional power upgrades such as DI and supercharging.

or just made one common design that can accomondate different orientations....

to save cost.

Nissan will most likely add DI when the 370Z gets a refresh in a year or two.

Ok look ... when you throw around terms like "future proof" its hard to infer what you are saying... look at cars today vs 10 years ago ... even 5 years ago - they are making amazing strides in how fast / cheap / well built / integrated they are... I for one feel that cars in 5 years will be blowing the doors off cars from today... however - the Z like some vehicles is a car that enthusiasts spot and appreciate for time immemorial - I still break my neck looking at nice 240s or 300s or even 350s... the same will be true of the 370... While it might not be future proof in the sense that in 5 years ill want to get the latest and greatest toy - I wont be replacing my Z...

unless someone else makes a better car that also has SRM, i wouldnt worry!

LMFAO ! ( +1)

It's amazing just how many buzzwords a company can think up with a certain amount of "spin" just to increase sales.

FWIW, C&D called it "future proofed," not Ford.

Try three or four yrs...

Future proof on a Ford means they are able to add technology to it today, so that it is on par with others... They just decided not to put in on and instead call it future proof...

To bad Ford's future is other OEM's past... So you don't win anything..

This is what I would do to future proof my new 5.0 motor :yum:

I'll be replacing mine with the twin turbo 400hp 400Z:icon17: here's hoping this isnt just wishful thinking...

May take a lot longer. Cars are not selling. No cash available to develop new cars, and credit is scarce. The auto industry is in big, big trouble. I think there will be many fewer and less frequent new cars in the future.

Even before the trouble, I believe they didn't plan to put DI in the Z until 2014..

FWIW, I think someone posted a few months back that they had "inside info" that the Z was getting DI for the 2011 model year. Judging from how Nissan handled the 350, I would expect at least a small bump in hp for the 2011 model year.

I think that was me, lol. The salesman at the Nissan delarship I went to said he "had it on good authority" that the Z was getting DI for 2011. Take it for what it's worth though since it's coming from a salesman.

I don't think that's true and I don’t' think sales people get any real info on this.
(which is unfortunate as they are the customer interface)

For October 2010 the Z is set for a minor interior and exterior update.

And in the third quarter of 2013 a major update is scheduled, where it moves to the replacement platform and all items will be updated. (Engine (DI), transmission (currently not scheduled to have a DCT), suspension, interior and exterior)

These are the current plans, of course everything could change if Nissan headquarters decided to change their mind.

well if they want the new Zs to keep up with the Jones's in HP/TQ then they will have to bump up the numbers and DI will help and DSG would help in the 0 60 and 1/4 miles times. Id love to see a stock SC Z that would be like the mustangs 427 SC, which is from what I read online is only .2 secs faster in the 0 60 than a stock GT, kinda sad for a SC.

On future proofing the Mustang
 

The new 5.0 looks to be a great step forward for Ford. However, it is not what everyone would want. Since it was built to a price as everything in the Mustang/370Z price range, the rods (powder I think) are seen as not strong enough for supercharging. That is one thing most builders are dissapointed about. I am sure some maker will make a charger at low boost that will run well with 11:1 compression and standard rods but the consensus is that the rods are the weak point of the engine. At 412 Hp it will be enough for some however, many are never safisfied and will want boost. Given that, they may have to redue some internals.

The Ford Engine Technology Good Enough For The Nissan GT-R
 

I'm not much of a car guy, but when I read your comments on Ford, like any patriotic American (who was born in Mexico :happydance:) I was compelled to post an article I read on Jalopnik.com in regards to plasma-transferred wire arc (PTWA).

The Ford Engine Technology Good Enough For The Nissan GT-R - Shelby GT500 - Jalopnik

It basically involves blowing a fine mist of molten steel at high speed onto a rough surface and then honing that surface into a perfect cylinder bore.

Apparently, Nissan was impressed enough with this technology that they obtained license from Ford to incorporate on its GTR.

I guess Ford still can compete on some levels.

Martin

I wasn't saying anything against their ability, but it was directed against their priorities. Which is fine, but not my choice of product.

As for the real story behind your article, somebody knocked on their door and told them they could save more money:

Plasma Transferred Wire Arc Thermal Spray Apparatus and Method, also referred to as PTWA. Developed over a decade by Kowalsky, Daniel Marantz and David Cook, Ph.D. of Flame-Spray, and James Baughman, a Ford Motor Company retiree, it is a unique process that deposits a molten metal coating on the inside of a cylinder, such as a pipe. Flame-Spray collaborated with Ford to create the mechanism to be placed in automobile engines as a solution to the industry’s need to replace expensive cast-iron liners commonly used in engines. The process benefits both economic and environmental concerns, by removing the need for dense cast-iron engine liners.

When Flame-Spray introduced the concept of PTWA to Ford, they decided to experiment. “Ford at that time said, ‘We’ll give you an engine, why don’t you give it a shot?’” says Kowalsky. “We gave it a shot and they did some evaluation on it and said ‘Oh my God, this looks great.’”