Is Nismo Really Worth It?

JoeD · 10-06-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dszombiex

If you're gonna leave it stock then it may be worth it to go Nismo. If you're gonna mod and replace everything then obviously you're paying for stuff you're just gonna replace so go base model.

Care to explain what advantages the NISMO has over the Base/Sport when both are left stock?

dszombiex · 10-07-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

Care to explain what advantages the NISMO has over the Base/Sport when both are left stock?

Uh... lets see if I can remember...
350 hp, 276 lb-ft of torque, 3.7-liter V6 engine (vs 332hp and 270 torque)
NISMO-tuned dual exhaust with H-pipe configuration
NISMO 19" super-lightweight forged alloy wheels by RAYS® (just a stylistic difference from Base + Sport)
NISMO aerodynamic body design (mostly visual, with a tiny bit of reduced drag from the chin spoiler I think...)
NISMO-tuned suspension
NISMO front strut brace and body dampers
NISMO signature interior trim (NISMO written on the floor mats or something)

JoeD · 10-07-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dszombiex

Uh... lets see if I can remember...
350 hp, 276 lb-ft of torque, 3.7-liter V6 engine (vs 332hp and 270 torque)
NISMO-tuned dual exhaust with H-pipe configuration
NISMO 19" super-lightweight forged alloy wheels by RAYS® (just a stylistic difference from Base + Sport)
NISMO aerodynamic body design (mostly visual, with a tiny bit of reduced drag from the chin spoiler I think...)
NISMO-tuned suspension
NISMO front strut brace and body dampers
NISMO signature interior trim (NISMO written on the floor mats or something)

Like I said...what advantage does the NISMO have over the Base/Sport? Not difference...

JoeD · 10-07-2009, 02:42 PM

The whole "Buy a Base and mod it" argument to justify the difference in price makes little sense. Sure, a Base will out-perform a NISMO with the price delta spent on modifications, but then again...so will a Honda Civic. Or a 335i vs. an M3. Or a base Corvette vs. a Z06. It's a moot point.

Focus on comparing the cars stock, which in that case all the evidence presented supports the argument that a Base/Sport Z out-performs the NISMO as they are. Not taking into consideration price, I think many people would have still chosen a Base/Sport over the NISMO.

Lug · 10-07-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

The whole "Buy a Base and mod it" argument to justify the difference in price makes little sense. Sure, a Base will out-perform a NISMO with the price delta spent on modifications, but then again...so will a Honda Civic. Or a 335i vs. an M3. Or a base Corvette vs. a Z06. It's a moot point.

Focus on comparing the cars stock, which in that case all the evidence presented supports the argument that a Base/Sport Z out-performs the NISMO as they are. Not taking into consideration price, I think many people would have still chosen a Base/Sport over the NISMO.

But then again, the 7AT outperforms the 6MT in bench test racing.

I have to assume they will eventually figure out what the problem is with the NISMO. On paper, the 18 hp bump more than makes up for the slight weight gain. The poor acceleration results have been attributed by some to the fact that every NISMO we've seen tested was far under recommended break in miles. What they can't explain is the handling, that's NOT effected by any break in period. Stiffening the chassis doesn't normally cause lateral grip to drop from .97-.99 to .91-.95. In fact, I've never seen this result, ever. I still suspect there is something wonky with the tires used on the NISMO.

JoeD · 10-07-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

But then again, the 7AT outperforms the 6MT in bench test racing.

Correct. And it's not bench-racing...no one with a 6MT has yet to match or beat the times a few people with 7ATs have run. The quickest Zs thus far have shown to be automatics.

Perhaps as time goes on and more people make to a drag-strip providing more conclusive data. This will either disprove or further solidify this sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

On paper, the 18 hp bump more than makes up for the slight weight gain. The poor acceleration results have been attributed by some to the fact that every NISMO we've seen tested was far under recommended break in miles. What they can't explain is the handling, that's NOT effected by any break in period. Stiffening the chassis doesn't normally cause lateral grip to drop from .97-.99 to .91-.95. In fact, I've never seen this result, ever. I still suspect there is something wonky with the tires used on the NISMO.

The break-in excuse is cute, although laughable. We still have yet to see baseline dyno-charts to compare, so I'm still curious to see where that 18 extra HP is. I'm guessing the ECU tuning and exhaust either does nothing or shifts the power around in the rev-range to effectively do nothing. The deficit in handling, both in terms of grip and slalom-speed, can definitely be explained by tires, but suspension-tuning also has a lot to do with it. Yes, I have a lot of faith in NISMO, but u can't just stiffen the suspension (careful...the suspension is stiffer, not the chassis) and automatically expect to have a better handling car. Throw in the fact that the Yokos perhaps don't perform up to the level of the RE050As and you have your answer.

Equinox · 10-07-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

Correct. And it's not bench-racing...no one with a 6MT has yet to match or beat the times a few people with 7ATs have run. The quickest Zs thus far have shown to be automatics.

Perhaps as time goes on and more people make to a drag-strip providing more conclusive data. This will either disprove or further solidify this sentiment.

The break-in excuse is cute, although laughable. We still have yet to see baseline dyno-charts to compare, so I'm still curious to see where that 18 extra HP is. I'm guessing the ECU tuning and exhaust either does nothing or shifts the power around in the rev-range to effectively do nothing. The deficit in handling, both in terms of grip and slalom-speed, can definitely be explained by tires, but suspension-tuning also has a lot to do with it. Yes, I have a lot of faith in NISMO, but u can't just stiffen the suspension (careful...the suspension is stiffer, not the chassis) and automatically expect to have a better handling car. Throw in the fact that the Yokos perhaps don't perform up to the level of the RE050As and you have your answer.

as you can see in my signature, I only manage 274whp at 2000 miles.

dszombiex · 10-07-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

The whole "Buy a Base and mod it" argument to justify the difference in price makes little sense. Sure, a Base will out-perform a NISMO with the price delta spent on modifications, but then again...so will a Honda Civic. Or a 335i vs. an M3. Or a base Corvette vs. a Z06. It's a moot point.

Focus on comparing the cars stock, which in that case all the evidence presented supports the argument that a Base/Sport Z out-performs the NISMO as they are. Not taking into consideration price, I think many people would have still chosen a Base/Sport over the NISMO.

I agree completely.

I was thinking more along the lines of I'm gonna mod anyway so why should I pay more money for things I'm gonna replace. In that case even going base + sport is a bit of a waste instead of just base only.

But I don't know if OP is gonna want to mod.

TurboDreamZ · 10-08-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dszombiex

I agree completely.

I was thinking more along the lines of I'm gonna mod anyway so why should I pay more money for things I'm gonna replace. In that case even going base + sport is a bit of a waste instead of just base only.

But I don't know if OP is gonna want to mod.

I said I was going to be.

Also the MAIN reason people go base + sport is because the LSD. (Limited Slip Differential)

It is way more than worth it to go ahead and get the base+sport for the LSD,
there will be no need to replace it, the gearing ratio is much better than stock
and is still a good DD ratio. On the other hand if you are going to try and break
a land speed record you would want something with a much lower gearing ratio.

JoeD · 10-08-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboDreamZ

I said I was going to be.

Also the MAIN reason people go base + sport is because the LSD. (Limited Slip Differential)

It is way more than worth it to go ahead and get the base+sport for the LSD,
there will be no need to replace it, the gearing ratio is much better than stock
and is still a good DD ratio. On the other hand if you are going to try and break
a land speed record you would want something with a much lower gearing ratio.

WTF are you talking about...the gear-ratios and final-drive is the same in every 6MT or 7AT, Sport package or not.

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10-07-2009, 02:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
JoeD Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: CA Posts: 495 Drives: Z Rep Power: 0	The whole "Buy a Base and mod it" argument to justify the difference in price makes little sense. Sure, a Base will out-perform a NISMO with the price delta spent on modifications, but then again...so will a Honda Civic. Or a 335i vs. an M3. Or a base Corvette vs. a Z06. It's a moot point. Focus on comparing the cars stock, which in that case all the evidence presented supports the argument that a Base/Sport Z out-performs the NISMO as they are. Not taking into consideration price, I think many people would have still chosen a Base/Sport over the NISMO.