Life span of a VQ37?
 

Hey guys whats up maybe you can help me out with something thats been on my mind. I picked up a '10 NISMO 370z this weekend and it is rather high miles were talking 65000 and I traded in my '09 370 base model for it bascally because ive never seen a NISMO listed for $23000 :tiphat:....But anyways I leaned to drive on stick back when i was 16 so ive been driving them for a long time and i know how to shift and all but my question is With my base model 7at I could get the wheels to chirp even into 3rd...I cant even get the NISMO to chirp into 2nd. It almost feels like the engine is bogging me down after a shift even when VDC is off. Im wondering are these engines gone at 60000 miles or something whats the deal?????? IUts really frustrating cuz an eclipse beat me off the line for the same reason after an attempted launch. Talk about embarassing!! Never would have happened in the base model I had.

I don't know about chirping, never tried/cared to do it.

These engines last depending on how they are taken care of, like any other engine. Basic maintenance and it'll go a long way.

There's one member here with 100k + on his 370Z.

Sounds like it's in need of a good tune-up.

There's no mileage related issues that would cause what you're describing unless the previous owner did something stupid. The Nismo has wider stickier tires than the base model, so traction should be better than the base. You still should be able to break them loose on the 1-2 shift, though. Maybe get an oil analysis and have a compression test done?

Is this a VDC off fix?

thanks for the replies Im about to reset the ecu now I dont think the air filters have been changed ever so maybe its time for that? the previous owner was an older gentleman that had records of all oil changes and apparently didnt dog the car and all of the miles were highway miles apparently as he had a long commute to work. So i may have a compression test done I am about to change the oil because its was just changed before i bought it with standard 5w 30. I also cleaned the MAF's but the looked like they were in excellent shape and probably didnt need it. Maybe its time for new spark plugs as well...

I would start with wondering if the clutch is showing it's age, if original at 65k

Also knowing how to pop the clutch at the right rpm :ugh2:

Clutch is another good thing to check. Throw it in 5th at lower rpm and floor it. If the rpms jump without any acceleration, the clutch is slipping. 65k of highway miles wouldn't scream "fried clutch" at me, but it's easy to check. Change the filters asap. I personally change all the fluids when I buy a used car so I know that they've all been done.

Who knows where and how this car has been taken care of. I would start with maintenance. At 60k I’m not sure what the book (Manuel) in details but I would start there. Also check your rubber maybe there meaty performance upgraded tires. Fyi chirping the wheels maybe cool and sound nice. But in a race it slows you down.

Not only that, but your transmission is not a huge fan of it. Shifting that hard isn't great for any of the drivetrain componants.

Guy guys guys by the sound and look of his OP I'd put his age around 16..

Glad that this forum still has got its OG's.

new air filters, throttle body cleaned out, maybe new fuel filter too...

Yeah the tires look almost brand new Kumho ecsta le sports. Ill try the clutch check in 5th gear and report back. Im going to get some K&N filters now at the ole advance store. I know that its not ideal to chirp tires and really im more or less concerned about the lack of power i feel after a shift couldnt care less if the tires make noise. It just seems like if Im trying to make them slip i should be able to ya know? Also i know the nismos have a good bit more grip due to suspension upgrades and all too so maybe im just worrying about nothing. But damn that eclipse!...Ill let u know how the air filters and ecu reset works out.

Im 24 in case there is any concern...nothing else to say. Pretty sure thats in my info too. Glad there's more brain power on this forum than MY350z.

To those of you actually trying to help thanks :tup:

Just to address engine.

Nissan CAN make good engines, it's hit or miss, plenty of guys without problems above 60k miles... Me, 35k and my engine is on it's way out...


As for chirping the tires... It depends what tires!!! the Nismo comes with 285's right off the bat, the base, 245, the sport 275... And with the 7AT it's easier IMO to stay on the power because you mash the pedal and it shifts REALLY fast, but the Nismo, and the 6MT makes more power, but unless you really get used to it your shifts won't be as fast

I've seen a 350 with 220K miles. No issues.

Same :iagree:

Actually seen 300K on a VQ35 in a Maxima

Are you sure it wasn't an AWD turbo eclipse?

First off, I think you're already fully aware of the differences between an automatic and a manual. Your old car involved hitting the gas....and that's it. It's going to take some getting used to, especially with the Z's finicky transmission.

60k miles isn't a lot, but some basic maintenance will certainly improve things. Resetting the ECU might also help. I could be mistaken but I think ECU learns from driver input. If the previous owner was easy on the car, the ECU may have adjusted.

If all else fails, buy some mods and have it tuned with UpRev.

Yeah reset ecu and drive like you stole it :driving:

Most people forget to change the blinker fluid. Doing that can prolong the life of your engine by tens of thousands of miles.

Ecu reset and k&n filters installed...all I can say is WOW world of difference. No hesitation after a shift at all. Still cant get the tires to break loose but oh well. Im feeling a switch to 4.08 gears anyways. Ill never need to do 170 and i read that 0-60 time is around 4.5 or maybe lower with the swap. On a lighter note i walked into advance and there was a young couple coming out and the girl sayed wow wat is that and the guy ah its just a 350z haha she obv has better taste than he does.

A well maintained engine and not abused engine will last hundreds of thousands of miles. The rubber and plastics will break down before any mechanical failure baring any defects missed at manufacture.
My family drives a lot of highway miles and usually get over 200k miles with only one mechanical issues from the engine on about 7 cars. The one engine failure was in a 79 Camaro where a push rod broke. Everything is standard maintenance and 3k ish oil changes.
This is the main reason why so many manufacturers have been increasing their power train warranties.

I know the plugs are supposed to be good for like 100K or something asstronomical. It still might not be a bad idea to change them now. And here's why. I had a 2005 Frontier that was running like a$$ right around 70K. Figured I change out the plugs and give it a good tune up. When I pulled the wire off the #6 plug, the head was full of oil thus covering the top of the plug and wire boot in dino piss.

I googled the find and surprisingly enough, it is quite common among Nissans in general. A lot of hits on Frontiers and Maximas. Sure, some go forever with no issues but it was common enough to be found on various forums. If I recall, the fix was to replace the seal on the intake plenum but it was just short of ripping the top end of the motor apart on the truck. So I cleaned it out, changed the plugs, and ran it to the dealer to trade in. (Another reason why I never buy used).

Long story short, there is a guy on here with 100K and no issues. Not a lot of folks are racking up crazy miles just yet, so who knows what quirks might surface when more of these motors get higher miles.

Change plugs and filters. Get an oil analysis when you next change the oil. Change brake, diff, tranny and clutch fluids. Get an alignment. That's about everything I can think of when buying a used car.

Yeah i had a 350z and there was always oil in the plugs just bc of an o-ring that happens a ton. Im an engineer at a facility that makes seals and gaskets so thats where my expertise lies if you could call it that. I wasnt so much worried that the engine is worn out but that it may not be producing its peak hp anymore. Ill deal with it i can live with how it feels now haha. Thanks for all the support guys! I love how close knit this forum is.

And power steering fluid IMO

I knew I missed one.

115k here, no issues. still fast as **** and still original clutch... don't turn off your syncro-rev and your clutch will last forevaR

That might be part of your prob right there. Those tires aren't that great, especially compared to the Yokohama and Bridgestones that come stock with the Z

I would think less grippy tires would make it easier to chirp them shifting into second.

You hit 115! Thatta boy

I switched from 245's that were about 40% tread left. I was chirping into 3rd.

Then switched to 275s and what a world of difference in grip!

Oh that reminds me the VLSD fluid is shot and you have an open diff by now. That fluid breaks down in 30-50K miles and cannot be changed.

You can't get the tires to break lose? I find it very easy to do. The Z manual transmission takes some getting used to. Don't expect to be Michael Schumacher going from AT to this kind of MT. Practice makes perfect...but save the race for the track!

I'm selling spark plugs..................... Shameless plug :D
PM me if you're interested, have a new and used set. Can also click my sale thread in my sig too.

wait what? this cant be right. I dont mean to insult any experience you may have, but I can tell pushing it around a turn that its not an open diff...Can anyone else verify this?

It's a POS diff, it becomes open when the fluid slightly overheats and it wears VERY quickly. The forum consensus is that it becomes open around 60k miles

Good thing i changed my diff fluid at 4k heard the stock stuff turns bad fairly quick Redline in there too . :driving:

The LSD is sealed. You just changed the gear lube.