The Quest Continues...
 

<a target="_NEW" href="http://www.the370z.com/members/pushing_tin.html">Pushing_Tin (PT)</a> was the first to ask this question, and ever since there has been a group trying to pursue a solution. PT had thought that <a target="_NEW" href="http://www.linex.com/">Line-X</a> might work so I took the Z in to have them take look. Two things: 1) The estimate they quoted me was expensive, and 2) they stated that they were unsure of the noise reduction (they said some) as the Line-X material itself dries very hard. A forum vendor, <a target="_NEW" href="http://www.the370z.com/second-skin-automotive-insulation/">Second Skin</a> is working up a comprehensive solution, and I might be interested in their Spectrum Sludge for the wheel wells.

The <a target="_NEW" href="http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2005-Mazda-RX-8-SHINKA-Special-Edition.htm">Mazda Shinka RX-8</a> had a felt lining in the wheel wells to stop the noise.

Yes, I've read this many times here, and elsewhere around the net. However, there are those of us who prefer the 370Z for other reasons and were captivated by this latest styling. This is where Nissan has failed with its North American model. The 2009 JDM model has many a feature that my wife and I would like: Electrically folding and heated mirrors, additional interior lighting, front and rear cameras, etc. Another aspect is that we would much prefer going to an Infiniti dealer for service versus a Nissan dealer (although I would still like find a good Nissan dealer in SoCal). There are the true hardcore owners (a handful of members here I respect and follow) that use the Z to its full potential and have built theirs for the track.

With this model Nissan opened its market to a larger social/economic customer base (whether they planned it or not) and Nissan's future Z sales will depend on how they cater to their expanded market. Maybe my wife and I would like to drive to each and every State in the Continental US of A. And maybe we wish to do in the Grand Touring style versus the racing to every stoplight style. Lastly, please don't tell me what to purchase...I'll purchase whatever I damn well please for whatever reason I damn well please. I also want tell you what to purchase. Deal?

i was kidding haha, but it'd be a good idea right? i mean, all that's needed is a thin foam liner that keeps the rocks from hitting the wells. it wouldn't add a huge amount either. the Z has very sticky tires (just look at how many pebbles are stuck to it when its parked one day) and it flings up everything. it'd be great if there was some sort of well lining that could do this.

SoCal, im with ya on the JDM features. The side mirrors i'm a little indifferent about, but i would love a backup camera. I know we have a few DIY's on this site that I've read, but I'm far too scared to attempt of that myself.

:iagree: Something relatively soft and pliable to absorb the impact of the rocks is in order but could still stand up to the wear. Maybe a thin foam rubber mat custom fitted and glued to the inner fender well?

Yeah something like that...i wonder if anyone has ever sprayed a few layers of rhino-lining on the inside of their wheel wells lol. i dont expect all the sound to go away, but it would be nice to kill some of it, at least soften the sound a bit so you dont get so much of the "pebbles rattled in a can" sound....

I pulled my spare tire and all the foam surrounding when I went to the track the other day. Now THAT was loud lol. Still didn't notice it once things got going though.

Y'all need to drive on cleaner roads..... I'm just sayin...

little difficult to do when there's snow and ice...takes forever to get rid of all the crap even after everything's melted...can't wait for the spring and summer when the roads are all clear.

or maybe i just need to live on a track.

You wanna hear something loud sit in your car with no radio or a/c when it's raining real hard. First time it happened I thought I was going to have some dings lol.

Adios fellas, and children

This forum is filled with too much sacasim for my tastes.

I'm going to :gtfo2: of here

Later rich! :hello:

Guess I missed the failings of others that irked you, although I don't see anything in this particular thread that should've.

holy crap yes! i've been in a few storms where i swear i heard something dent my Z hahaha.

The road noise doesnt bother me to much. Im not really too anal on it. I live in Las Vegas and the roads here are full of dirt and rocks. I simply just turn up the radio and it goes away. It is by all means a sports car.

i don't even

edit:

(inc nissan :nutswinger:)

I mean, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everything and I understand why you dislike the road noise, but...

It's a car that starts at $29,000 that focuses on performance. You could pin a lot of things on Nissan for the 370 -- some of the brake issues people had, the lack of an oil cooler, etc. -- but road noise? One of the big things that Nissan pushed as a selling point for the new Z was a reduction in weight. In order to keep the price low and the weight down I imagine that sound dampening material was one of the first things on the list. Not to mention... Infinity! I mean, the G37 is a luxury Z, pretty much.

Look at other similar cars that aim for performance in this price range or slightly higher. The Corvette comes to mind instantly. Even on the newer ones (and ZR1) the interior is just not up to par at all -- obviously because that was a secondary thought to GM when they designed it. Same to things closer to our range like the Evo X and STi. The thing is, the Z has better interiors than these cars -- and from personal experience in all three -- equal interior noise.

but tl;dr -- I can understand you not liking the road noise and thinking it is excessive, but I would hardly call it a failing.

Thats a little difficult when you live in the desert lol