What makes the Z's engine sound so bad (to reviewers)?

zZSportZz · 08-05-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shabarivas

its because they are used to driving the VQ35 which sounds amazing at that range

I've never stepped foot inside anything with a VQ35 and I still think it sounds like its going to explode

fuct · 08-05-2009, 01:15 PM

SnakeBitten · 08-05-2009, 02:59 PM

Time for a V8 in the Z or a TT if its gonna struggle to put out 332hp. Maybe the VQ architecture has reached its limit for making smooth power and is being pushed beyond its NVH threshold for smoothness to make that 332hp. Dont really know but just saying

355890 · 08-05-2009, 03:29 PM

More thoughts needed. There is a build explanation out there somewhere..

This could be a great thread.

Diversion · 08-05-2009, 03:32 PM

I'll even admit that 6k onwards to 7.5k rpms kind of makes me feel uneasy, like something's going to give.. lol.

kdoske · 08-05-2009, 04:11 PM

im still in break in, only 120 miles to go, so I have yet to see what this is all about. I don't think 332 HP is small by any means though.

I thought for sure the 370z was going to have a Direct injection motor before I really looked into buying one though, oh well--maybe next time...

chris410 · 08-05-2009, 04:59 PM

I'm sure the engineers tested the motor at various rpms. Typically, the japanese motors are over-engineered so I'm sure the 332hp is only the tip on what the motor can really do. I've opened mine up a few times and the motor is loud but that's what a sports car is supposed to do...make noise when you get to the upper rpms.

Most of the noise complaints are from the tires on the 19's rather than the motor itself. Basically, the road noise, I have the 18's which do not have much of any road noise.

Of course, I race motorcycles so I'm used to the sound of a motor screaming so passing up the car based on noise? Personally, I'd rather hear the motor than floor it and have the car be quiet. Also, keep in mind that I'm sure as the rpms increase your noise is coming from all the parts that are increasing in movement...that is not a bad thing.

zZSportZz · 08-05-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris410

I'm sure the engineers tested the motor at various rpms. Typically, the japanese motors are over-engineered so I'm sure the 332hp is only the tip on what the motor can really do. I've opened mine up a few times and the motor is loud but that's what a sports car is supposed to do...make noise when you get to the upper rpms.

Most of the noise complaints are from the tires on the 19's rather than the motor itself. Basically, the road noise, I have the 18's which do not have much of any road noise.

Of course, I race motorcycles so I'm used to the sound of a motor screaming so passing up the car based on noise? Personally, I'd rather hear the motor than floor it and have the car be quiet. Also, keep in mind that I'm sure as the rpms increase your noise is coming from all the parts that are increasing in movement...that is not a bad thing.

I would tend to agree if it was just sound, but its vibration as well and overall harshness that makes you feel like its going to explode at any minute. It just feels unnatural. That and the paint are my only 2 gripes about the car. I still LOVE it though, but I have to be honest about the things I don't like.

chris410 · 08-05-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zZSportZz

I would tend to agree if it was just sound, but its vibration as well and overall harshness that makes you feel like its going to explode at any minute. It just feels unnatural. That and the paint are my only 2 gripes about the car. I still LOVE it though, but I have to be honest about the things I don't like.

The vibration could be a product of engine position since this is a V6 VS an I-6.
Can you tell where the vibration coming from the motor or drive train? I've only gotten on it hard a few times just to run up the rpms and did notice the noise a some vibration but nothing I would be inclined to be worried about.

I'll pay more attention next time I get a chance to dip into the upper rpms.

TheWeatherman · 08-05-2009, 05:16 PM

Yeah, but there is something about this motor that is a little scary. I now have 8,000 miles on it, so things are plenty broken in. I always compare this thing to my '09 FX35 with the VQ35HR motor that also has a 7,500 redline. The Z rattles and rolls above 6,000. It does scare me, and I actually rely on my flashing tach light because the sound of the engine almost puts me in a panic mode to even glance down at the tach numbers. I know that sounds a bit extreme, but those of you that find this thing harsh up top know what I mean. It's a lot of drama when not much is going on drama-wise. A distraction, but I still love the car.

Oh, and holy cow does the vibration come through the shifter! Wow!

need4speed · 08-05-2009, 05:26 PM

If u driven any of the older ricers it won't be anything new. Rx 7's supraz n silvias all had that high revving scream that muscle car enthusiasts hate. And 1st time import sports car drivers get weary about.
But its really nothing more than a loud whine that sounds like u gotta shift when u don't.
You can avoid that sound by shifting at the normal 3.500 to 4,500rpm's. Or get used to the sound if ur not used to it already from past jap sports cars.

TheWeatherman · 08-05-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by need4speed

If u driven any of the older ricers it won't be anything new. Rx 7's supraz n silvias all had that high revving scream that muscle car enthusiasts hate. And 1st time import sports car drivers get weary about.
But its really nothing more than a loud whine that sounds like u gotta shift when u don't.
You can avoid that sound by shifting at the normal 3.500 to 4,500rpm's. Or get used to the sound if ur not used to it already from past jap sports cars.

Yeah, sorry Need. I would never "NOT recommend" the car to anyone. I love this thing to death. I remember my first car... my '93 Ford Probe GT with it's 7K redline that never was that harsh. It's really minor for anyone that is looking for one, and like Need said, just hold out on the RPM's even though it sounds like you have to shift. We have a cool "blinky" light that you can set to whatever RPM you want it to come on at. That means, "Okay, shift you idiot!"

zZSportZz · 08-05-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by need4speed

If u driven any of the older ricers it won't be anything new. Rx 7's supraz n silvias all had that high revving scream that muscle car enthusiasts hate. And 1st time import sports car drivers get weary about.
But its really nothing more than a loud whine that sounds like u gotta shift when u don't.
You can avoid that sound by shifting at the normal 3.500 to 4,500rpm's. Or get used to the sound if ur not used to it already from past jap sports cars.

Yeah, I love the car too...don't get me wrong. I would recommend it to anyone. Maybe you are 100% correct since this is my first import I've owned and I'm not used to the sound and vibrations. It really does make my butthole pucker above 6500 rpm though.

Edit: I quoted the wrong person....
Edit2: Fixed

OMGWTFBBQ · 08-05-2009, 06:15 PM

If you want a nice sounding car after 6000 RPM, go buy a 2006+ Civic Si. Oh man I LOVED hearing that thing scream at 8000 RPM.

earwicker7 · 08-05-2009, 06:26 PM

I'm still not sure what everyone is up in arms about. It's never crossed my mind for a second that the engine sounded like it would blow up.

Maybe the point about it being from people used to domestic sports cars is valid; they have a very different sound. It's kind of like what happened with my old 911; I lived in a tiny town in Indiana at the time and NOBODY drove Porsches. When they heard it, they all laughed... my uncle said "That damn thing sounds like a go-cart!" I quickly had offers from people who were going to "smoke me" in their Monte Carlos and Crown Victorias. They seemed genuinely dumbfounded when I left their cars in my rearview.

08-05-2009, 02:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
SnakeBitten Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Midwood Posts: 232 Drives: 05 DBZ M6 Rep Power: 18	Time for a V8 in the Z or a TT if its gonna struggle to put out 332hp. Maybe the VQ architecture has reached its limit for making smooth power and is being pushed beyond its NVH threshold for smoothness to make that 332hp. Dont really know but just saying __________________

08-05-2009, 03:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
355890 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 416 Drives: GP Z Base+Sport (6m) Rep Power: 543	More thoughts needed. There is a build explanation out there somewhere.. This could be a great thread. __________________ *"Burnley Football Club supporter" ENGLAND...ENGLAND...ENGLAND*

08-05-2009, 03:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Diversion Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 393 Drives: 09 370Z Silver/Persi Rep Power: 286	I'll even admit that 6k onwards to 7.5k rpms kind of makes me feel uneasy, like something's going to give.. lol. __________________ 09 370Z Touring + Sport + Nav (Status Elite Intakes) (Berk HFCs) (Invidia Q300 CBE) (Nismo Swaybars) 99 Civic Si (Daily Driver, completely unmolested stock rarity)

08-05-2009, 06:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
OMGWTFBBQ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: the OC Posts: 1,886 Drives: 08 SGM IS350 Rep Power: 4551	If you want a nice sounding car after 6000 RPM, go buy a 2006+ Civic Si. Oh man I LOVED hearing that thing scream at 8000 RPM. __________________ Zele Performance \| Varis \| Powerhouse Amuse \| Craftsquare \| Tommy Kaira \| Top Secret \| HKS \| Defi \| Volk Racing \| Cusco \| SPL \| Never ending build thread.. PM me if you have rare JDM parts for sale!

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08-05-2009, 01:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 26

08-05-2009, 04:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
kdoske Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 541 Drives: 800whp Unicorn FI Z Rep Power: 19	im still in break in, only 120 miles to go, so I have yet to see what this is all about. I don't think 332 HP is small by any means though. I thought for sure the 370z was going to have a Direct injection motor before I really looked into buying one though, oh well--maybe next time...

08-05-2009, 04:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
chris410 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 345 Drives: 10' GT500 Rep Power: 18	I'm sure the engineers tested the motor at various rpms. Typically, the japanese motors are over-engineered so I'm sure the 332hp is only the tip on what the motor can really do. I've opened mine up a few times and the motor is loud but that's what a sports car is supposed to do...make noise when you get to the upper rpms. Most of the noise complaints are from the tires on the 19's rather than the motor itself. Basically, the road noise, I have the 18's which do not have much of any road noise. Of course, I race motorcycles so I'm used to the sound of a motor screaming so passing up the car based on noise? Personally, I'd rather hear the motor than floor it and have the car be quiet. Also, keep in mind that I'm sure as the rpms increase your noise is coming from all the parts that are increasing in movement...that is not a bad thing.

08-05-2009, 05:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
TheWeatherman Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 265 Drives: 2009 370Z 6MTw/Sport Rep Power: 18	Yeah, but there is something about this motor that is a little scary. I now have 8,000 miles on it, so things are plenty broken in. I always compare this thing to my '09 FX35 with the VQ35HR motor that also has a 7,500 redline. The Z rattles and rolls above 6,000. It does scare me, and I actually rely on my flashing tach light because the sound of the engine almost puts me in a panic mode to even glance down at the tach numbers. I know that sounds a bit extreme, but those of you that find this thing harsh up top know what I mean. It's a lot of drama when not much is going on drama-wise. A distraction, but I still love the car. Oh, and holy cow does the vibration come through the shifter! Wow!

08-05-2009, 05:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
need4speed Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: tx Posts: 199 Drives: 08 altima 3.5se Rep Power: 18	If u driven any of the older ricers it won't be anything new. Rx 7's supraz n silvias all had that high revving scream that muscle car enthusiasts hate. And 1st time import sports car drivers get weary about. But its really nothing more than a loud whine that sounds like u gotta shift when u don't. You can avoid that sound by shifting at the normal 3.500 to 4,500rpm's. Or get used to the sound if ur not used to it already from past jap sports cars.

08-05-2009, 06:26 PM	#15 (permalink)
earwicker7 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 265 Drives: 09 370Z (maxed out) Rep Power: 18	I'm still not sure what everyone is up in arms about. It's never crossed my mind for a second that the engine sounded like it would blow up. Maybe the point about it being from people used to domestic sports cars is valid; they have a very different sound. It's kind of like what happened with my old 911; I lived in a tiny town in Indiana at the time and NOBODY drove Porsches. When they heard it, they all laughed... my uncle said "That damn thing sounds like a go-cart!" I quickly had offers from people who were going to "smoke me" in their Monte Carlos and Crown Victorias. They seemed genuinely dumbfounded when I left their cars in my rearview.