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

Superjoe · 08-05-2009, 06:22 AM

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!

zZSportZz · 08-05-2009, 08:04 AM

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

kdo2milger · 08-05-2009, 08:08 AM

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

m4a1mustang · 08-05-2009, 08:31 AM

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.

rreign · 08-05-2009, 08:46 AM

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.

tranceformer · 08-05-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rreign

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.

fuct · 08-05-2009, 09:46 AM

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

kdo2milger · 08-05-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuct

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!

m4a1mustang · 08-05-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdo2milger

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

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

shabarivas · 08-05-2009, 12:49 PM

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

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.

08-05-2009, 06:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Superjoe Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 3 Drives: None for now Rep Power: 16	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!

08-05-2009, 08:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
zZSportZz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,095 Drives: 370z Blk on Blk 6MT Rep Power: 18	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 Last edited by zZSportZz; 08-06-2009 at 11:05 AM.

08-05-2009, 08:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 59	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 __________________ Project *NISMO*

08-05-2009, 08:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	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. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

08-05-2009, 02:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
SnakeBitten Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Midwood Posts: 232 Drives: 05 DBZ M6 Rep Power: 16	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, 08:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
rreign A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Age: 40 Posts: 2,341 Drives: 03 Evo 8 Rep Power: 709	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.

08-05-2009, 09:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	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

08-05-2009, 12:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	its because they are used to driving the VQ35 which sounds amazing at that range

08-05-2009, 01:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23

08-05-2009, 03:29 PM	#14 (permalink)
355890 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 416 Drives: GP Z Base+Sport (6m) Rep Power: 541	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	#15 (permalink)
Diversion Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 393 Drives: 09 370Z Silver/Persi Rep Power: 284	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)

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