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

First, I have not seen/heard the new Z in person (I'm stuck in the middle east right now). And I did try to search.

All of the reviews that I have read so far say that the new VQ37 engine basically sounds like rubbish in the upper range. What gives? Have you all figured out what specifically causes it?

I suppose if it's just the intake or exhaust setup it's easily fixable, but the impression that I get is that it's something in the valvetrain.

Thanks!

Well my personal opinion on the engine harshness is that it "feels" like the engine is not suppose to rev that high (totally subjective person to person). Anything past 5.5-6k rpm sounds almost like its being over-revved even though it isn't. Thats the best way I can explain it.

Its almost like a mind-game to me lol. I have to force myself to ignore the sound and have faith the engine isnt going to explode and slap me in the head.

Edit: Mine is broken in and I've driven it hard.

EDIT: I added a video in post #40

basically what their talking about is the high rpm range (top end)...there is a lot of vibration in the motor as a whole on the top end...i couldnt tell you for certain myself, i am still in the break in period so ive been conservative on the rpms...

someone thats broken in theirs and has been in the upper rpm range could chime in to verify...

and welcome to the forum :tiphat:

The engine sounds and feels like it doesn't want to accelerate past 6k. Even still when I am going all-out I have to grit my teeth and force myself to go to 7500. It's very hard to push it all out because, even though it's not going to tear itself apart, it really makes you think it's going to tear itself apart.

Just a question here. I don't own a Z yet but I was wondering for those of you that do and have driven your cars pretty hard, do you think that putting eurethane motor mounts would help with the vibrations and harshness at higher rpms? It might just be a small fix to compensate for the harshness.

I don't think that would help much. I was always under the impression that aftermarket motor mounts minimize engine movement at the cost of more NVH.

this topic is really the only thing keeping me from wanting a Z. coming from a 2JZ-GE im used to a nice buttery smooth inline 6.... hmmm

shouldnt keep from it, this v-6 was built to scream! :driving:

It doesn't really scream, though. It cries for help above 6k. :icon18:

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 :)

:ugh2:

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:ughdance:

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

This could be a great thread.

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

this..

basically the motor at least in its z form is the opposite of what it should be. it should be inspiring as it revs up, yet it makes you cringe a bit instead. it is a major (and major is a good term based on just about every review and personal experience) drawback to an otherwise great car..

and sometimes thats how it is with a motor.. an otherwise well built piece just makes your teeth rattle as it spins up..

as to those who poo- poo its 'misely' 332 hp from 3.7L, it wasnt too long ago that c5 vettes came with v8s that produced 350hp and that was top hp from american iron NA motors..

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...

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.

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.

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!

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!"

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

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. :tup:

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.

I agree that over 6k RPM, it gets a little unsettling. You start looking at the tach thinking "almost redline, almost redline, get ready, get ready, SHIFT!!!". IMO, a high revving sports car should rev near the redline without you noticing much at all. It should PREFER to be in the high RPM range rather than lumbering under 4k RPM. Despite all that, I still love my car.

I do not share the feelings of most of yous guys. I get the chills whenever I run into the high rpms, the good kind. No fear of explosions or breaking anything.

Sometimes depending on the road my 19's are a little talkative but nothing worth bit*hing about.

I haven't been in a car that has the 19's but when they complain about the road noise, I think it's more of an "observation" rather than a complaint. I wouldn't let something like that affect my decision on getting a Z. Then again, one drive and I'm sure any complaints will be silenced :tup:

The way I view it is as I said earlier, I'm sure the engineers designed the car to easily handle the horsepower, again most japanese motors are way over-engineered so the noise is most likely a product of that design and nothing to worry about. If it becomes an issue, I'm sure we'll be hearing about it but in my own experience I never had a concern...actually I didn't really notice anything odd but I've owned several sports cars/and race motorcycles so I'm used to hearing motors make noise. For anyone freaking out...don't...these cars have been through some beatings in tests and as far as I know none of them have blown up ;)

For me, it's not concern about breaking the car. It's just the overall sensation when driving it. More expensive sportscars emit a sense of confidence, poise and control at high RPMs. You look down NOT realizing you're at 7000 rpm and they WANT to be in that range. The Z will do it, but it feels like you're twisting its arm to make it go over 6k rpm.

I agree with all comments...this motor has nowhere near the smoothness of the RB26DETT or the Toyota 2JZ-GTE, but they are both inline sixes and this is a V6 which I think has a lot to do with it.

I am heading towards the last part of my break-in period so I have been letting it wind out little by little. At 5k it starts to make the sort of noise and vibration almost like it's out of balance. I haven't pushed it much further yet.

excuses excuses lol jk:tup:

This is my 5th Nissan with a VQ motor and I feel the real sweet spot for bore/stroke displacement in a VQ was 3.0 like in the 95-01 Maxima. That VQ was Honda smooth at the top end. The increase to 3.5 seemed to be the begining of the upper rev range coarsness that only got worse with the bump to 3.7

There are drivers who like to live at the redline all the time, and engines out there (you know who they are) that have to live at the redline to make enough torque to raise my garage door.

In my opinion give me what the current Z motor does best, a nice fat midrange for the real world driving that I do.

:iagree:Couldnt agree with you more...Im not the kinda person to be bouncing the tach off the rev limiter every other shift. I just want to punch it every once in a while and feel a solid pull, or be able to merge in traffic with out having to down shift 2 gears. All of which the Z provides to me, and it looks damn right sexy doing it...

I think the new engine could use a little bit more low end torque but besides that I like the fact the the engine isn't a beast until after 4000rpm. It makes the a good daily driver. Then when you want that extra power just slame it above the 4000rpm range and go to town.

The engine reminds me of and old turbo car I use to have to be honest. All that power kicking in above 3000rpm. Having said that I can see why there is an apeal for a Supercharger rather then a Turbo in this vehicle.

I think the stock intake and/or exhaust has something to do with it. After reading through this thread yesterday, I deliberately ran up to redline several times this morning, and my car doesn't sound bad at all at high rpm, nor does it feel rough in any way. It gets louder, of course, but there is no qualitative change in the sound or smoothness. But equally, if not more, important, at redline my car doesn't feel like it's wheezing or running out of breath. If anything, it feels like it's begging for more. Now, I've got my entire intake and exhaust system swapped out, hence my suspicion that the stock components are what accounts for the reviewers' impressions. So the downside to all this is that, in stock form, the car sounds and feels a little unrefined at the top end. I'm sure there are those who will argue that Nissan could/should have done a better job in this area, and I'm not taking issue with that view. On the upside however, at least there's a fix -- upgraded components.

You bring up a good point. I bet most of us who think it is REALLY harsh still has a stock exhaust...which is much more quiet allowing more of the engine noise to come through.

When I was at AAM, one of the guys said the same exact thing - that you WANT to get an aftermarket exhaust to cover the sound of the engine.

Anyone with upgraded exhaust still think is sounds really harsh? As I said above, I'm willing to bet all the the guys in this thread who think its really harsh as I do...are running stock.

my only excuse at the momment is loot! :shakes head:

Excellent post Semtex. When I get my Z powerwise I will have the stock setup for about a year. I will be sure to test your theory out as the engine breaks in, then when I add the intake/exhaust stuff afterwards.

I bet a tune on top of the mods would make it want to rev even more so.

So I decided to add a little bit of real data to this thread instead and let people decide for themselves. I just went out and made a little video...its with my blackberry so its a little shotty....but you get the point. Holding a phone, driving, and shifting all at the same time was hard haha......I shifted nice and slow so you could hear it.... I'm 100% stock at the moment...video is from inside with windows up leaving my house.

What do you think? Harsh or not?

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RIRcMUu02Rc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RIRcMUu02Rc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Edit: I think a lot of people may have upgraded exhaust before their breakin period was over and may have never even heard the car at redline stock.