Nissan 370Z Forum  

Japanese and the Z - Sound

I'm gonna post up some of the more interesting things that I ran across during my trips to Nissan Japan and hope they are entertaining to some of you. The

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Nissan 370Z General Area > Nissan 370Z General Discussions


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-22-2010, 09:34 AM   #1 (permalink)
Base Member
 
fastsach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 20
Drives: Honda CBR1100XX
Rep Power: 14
fastsach will become famous soon enough
Default Japanese and the Z - Sound

I'm gonna post up some of the more interesting things that I ran across during my trips to Nissan Japan and hope they are entertaining to some of you.
The Japanese are incredibly into touch, feel and actually the 5 senses in general to a much higher degree than anybody else I have ever ran into. They can all draw, are extremely observant and notice little things about people they are around and communicating with. Hard to explain but it's like Japan was colonized by a band of artists.
A good example is that when Admiral Perry visited them in the 1800s he left a cartridge firing rifle with them as gift. When he returned several years later they had made another just like it even though that was the only rifle they had ever seen. They gave him the copy. Tom Cruise alludes to this in The Last Samurai.
A peek into the future I think..............

While there to train on large Japanese built plastic injection molds I was in a class and the subject of sound came up and my group was informed of the following to show us how far they go to finesse something.

Notice the sound of your engine when you mash the throttle and you year that soothing sound of internal combustion power. Several things affect this sound but the most important is the intake which is number one and the exhaust which is secondary.
Designers are given a certain amount of real estate under the hood for their given parts so look at your intake. I am not familiar, yet, with the Z but most cars have a type of plenum that is blow molded plastic where air enters before the air filter container. This is the source of your intake sound and it is tuned like a musical instrument by a man that is blind. At that time Nissan had one man that went to different areas to do just this. This was his job even though he was an accomplished musician of some sort.
He was very high paid and famous in the company. He would listen in the car, direct changes, report back to the PPM (Principal Project Manager) and together they would acquire the proper sound. But the blind guy's hearing was the tool for the job.
After the intake was tuned the same guy would do the same for the exhaust and later would choose tire type and brand using the same logic. In Purchasing it used to kill us that he would choose a tire that cost $50 each when we could get the same quality of tire for $35 from another manufacturer. But this guy ruled. Yes, Nissan gets tires that cheap.

If this is of interest let me know and I'll lay out some more stuff later.

I just thought it was fascinating.
fastsach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 09:49 AM   #2 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Jordo!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: nirvana
Posts: 6,394
Drives: 2023 NATM
Rep Power: 418
Jordo! has a reputation beyond reputeJordo! has a reputation beyond reputeJordo! has a reputation beyond reputeJordo! has a reputation beyond reputeJordo! has a reputation beyond reputeJordo! has a reputation beyond reputeJordo! has a reputation beyond reputeJordo! has a reputation beyond reputeJordo! has a reputation beyond reputeJordo! has a reputation beyond reputeJordo! has a reputation beyond repute
Default

That is very intersting!

Suddenly the weird resonators on the intake and the counter weights on the exhaust make sense.

Shame that the musican's hard work hasn't translated into good reviews on the engine note -- Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson saying he'd rather hear the sound of his own firing squad than the VQ37 approaching redline.
__________________
Enjoy it. Destroy it.
Jordo! is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 09:51 AM   #3 (permalink)
Premium Member
 
bullitt5897's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: North GA
Posts: 6,831
Drives: Twin Turbo Z34
Rep Power: 3682
bullitt5897 has a reputation beyond reputebullitt5897 has a reputation beyond reputebullitt5897 has a reputation beyond reputebullitt5897 has a reputation beyond reputebullitt5897 has a reputation beyond reputebullitt5897 has a reputation beyond reputebullitt5897 has a reputation beyond reputebullitt5897 has a reputation beyond reputebullitt5897 has a reputation beyond reputebullitt5897 has a reputation beyond reputebullitt5897 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

He is the most interesting blind man in the world and he drinks Saki!!! lol definitely interesting!
__________________
Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z *SOLD*, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054
bullitt5897 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 09:51 AM   #4 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
theDreamer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 30,879
Drives: 370z
Rep Power: 4210
theDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond repute
Default

This might be for another thread, but how does Nissan (per your experience) handle contracts on things. So they want X tire for a car (370z), do they do a contract with a company to get a good deal and if so what happens if they alter a few things and want to change the tires?
__________________
theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN
theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY
Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram
theDreamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 10:19 AM   #5 (permalink)
Base Member
 
fastsach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 20
Drives: Honda CBR1100XX
Rep Power: 14
fastsach will become famous soon enough
Default

The Dreamer
That's an easy one for me. When a car is in development each part is given a budget or cost target which add up to a total that will translate into an acceptable MSRP. You can't go over target without God's approval
Tires are same and every effort is made to use an existing tire so it is speced and then put out for bid and an award is given to a company.
When a prototype starts to roll the actual tires start to be tested and this can go in many directions including changing the tires and making them model unique which is expensive as hell.
It's all between the designer, the blind dude, marketing and the PPM with the blind dude having priority.
Kind of a left handed answer but it's not an exact process. Usually the tire maker will provide a "guest" engineer to work beside the Nissan designer to finalize things.

It should be noted that in the old days tire makers would practically give tires to us so that consumers would replace them with same which is really where their money is. But they figured out that that is not what consumers do and could not care less whether the OEM chooses their product or not. This equals higher prices.

Does that help?
fastsach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 10:25 AM   #6 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
theDreamer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 30,879
Drives: 370z
Rep Power: 4210
theDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Yep, I know the Japanese work a lot on hand shake basis and will pick item A or B because of what you described. Though I was curious how Nissan has adapted to the idea of contracts and budgets.
__________________
theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN
theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY
Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram
theDreamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 10:29 AM   #7 (permalink)
Base Member
 
fastsach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 20
Drives: Honda CBR1100XX
Rep Power: 14
fastsach will become famous soon enough
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by theDreamer View Post
Yep, I know the Japanese work a lot on hand shake basis and will pick item A or B because of what you described. Though I was curious how Nissan has adapted to the idea of contracts and budgets.
All has changed since the French (Renault) bought controlling interest of Nissan. The handshake is gone and replaced with what's called a Master Purchase Agreement. Very complex. Have no doubt, the French call the shots at Nissan these days.
fastsach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 10:42 AM   #8 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 76,801
Drives: N/A
Rep Power: 141521
kenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond repute
Default

ive also had the pre-french guy G20 and wat a mess that was.
kenchan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 10:47 AM   #9 (permalink)
Lug
A True Z Fanatic
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,926
Drives: 2006 350Z
Rep Power: 19
Lug is a splendid one to beholdLug is a splendid one to beholdLug is a splendid one to beholdLug is a splendid one to beholdLug is a splendid one to beholdLug is a splendid one to beholdLug is a splendid one to behold
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bullitt5897 View Post
He is the most interesting blind man in the world and he drinks Saki!!! lol definitely interesting!
To be accurate, he doesn't always drink saki....but when he does, he prefers dosSaki. Stay thirsty, my friends.
__________________
keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs
Lug is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 10:48 AM   #10 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
ImportConvert's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SWMO
Posts: 4,454
Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve
Rep Power: 7627
ImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kenchan View Post
ive also had the pre-french guy G20 and wat a mess that was.

Little did you know, the 370Z also hails from the pre-french era. It was once called an "Altima"...

Then the French came along, blended a few lines...

...and the 370Z was born!

Last edited by ImportConvert; 12-22-2010 at 10:59 AM.
ImportConvert is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 10:54 AM   #11 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
phelan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: CA
Age: 38
Posts: 9,513
Drives: Scoobaroo
Rep Power: 3406
phelan has a reputation beyond reputephelan has a reputation beyond reputephelan has a reputation beyond reputephelan has a reputation beyond reputephelan has a reputation beyond reputephelan has a reputation beyond reputephelan has a reputation beyond reputephelan has a reputation beyond reputephelan has a reputation beyond reputephelan has a reputation beyond reputephelan has a reputation beyond repute
Default

wtf is this saki stuff?

Quote:
Originally Posted by fastsach View Post
All has changed since the French (Renault) bought controlling interest of Nissan. The handshake is gone and replaced with what's called a Master Purchase Agreement. Very complex. Have no doubt, the French call the shots at Nissan these days.
lol, Ghoswned. ugh.

i really can appreciate the work that goes into tuning the sound of the cars and all that. it's nice to see attention to details. still...if our VQ37VHR is 'tuned for sound', i think we've got serious problems. maybe the blind guy is going deaf.

and honestly, they should probably get that intern going on figuring out how to get some more low end torque out of this damn engine!
__________________

凛 ('Rin') - 2009 Nissan 370Z
With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

Last edited by phelan; 12-22-2010 at 10:56 AM.
phelan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 10:54 AM   #12 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 76,801
Drives: N/A
Rep Power: 141521
kenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ImportConvert View Post
I heard the pre-french 370Z was called "Altima".
i think importconvent was rubbed the wrong way.


... back to topic.
kenchan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 11:05 AM   #13 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
ImportConvert's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SWMO
Posts: 4,454
Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve
Rep Power: 7627
ImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kenchan View Post
i think importconvent was rubbed the wrong way.


... back to topic.


Similar mirror design? Check.
Similar Fender bulges? Check.
Similar headlight shape? Check.
Totally uninspired offering of multiple shades of gray? Check.

Last edited by ImportConvert; 12-22-2010 at 11:12 AM.
ImportConvert is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 11:08 AM   #14 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
theDreamer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 30,879
Drives: 370z
Rep Power: 4210
theDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond reputetheDreamer has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ImportConvert View Post
Nah, just pointing out the obvious:

__________________
theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN
theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY
Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram
theDreamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2010, 11:24 AM   #15 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
spearfish25's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Naples, FL
Posts: 4,117
Drives: to work
Rep Power: 1856
spearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to spearfish25
Default

A blind guy designing the engine/exhaust sound makes sense. His heightened hearing would lead to quieter exhausts....hence our nearly silent stock exhaust.

Now did this blind guy lay a hand on the car during testing? The V and H in NVH surely didn't get aprpeciated.
__________________
2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

Last edited by spearfish25; 12-22-2010 at 11:29 AM.
spearfish25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Japanese Culture and the Z fastsach Nissan 370Z General Discussions 54 01-03-2011 05:22 PM
Semtex's Japanese Twin SoCal 370Z Nissan 370Z General Discussions 8 03-25-2010 06:27 AM
My first Japanese car! Diocletian New 370Z Owner 1 03-06-2010 04:14 PM
Zymol Especially for Our Japanese Car OldGuy Nissan 370Z General Discussions 19 02-16-2010 03:23 PM
high frequency sound/annoying as hell sound Santent Nissan 370Z General Discussions 4 12-22-2009 09:59 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:48 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2