The second curve in your quote is a classically linear HP curve: HP is a straight line (remember y=mx+b ?) and torque is flat. Not peaky at all. If the torque curve is not flat, but rises, that gives you peaky HP: rather than building linearly with RPM, it accelerates (rises disproportionately with RPM) and gives you a strong kick in the backside. A peaky engine can be kind of fun, but is usually weak at low RPMs (like small-displacement sport bikes). I prefer the nice linear feel of the 350Z with predictable power everywhere, but I could really enjoy driving a peaky engine too if the peak had wild-*** amounts of power!

 

Even though I'm still under 4000 RPM, I do think the power curve (line) feels very odd. Even if I'm flying by other cars like they're standing still, there's no throw-you back-in-the-seat feel to it. I'm still in the "liking it" camp, because it's fun to drive.

The only thing I don't like is that the engine doesn't feel smooth like my parents' M-Coupe. It feels more like a V-8 Mustang, or truck even, and sounds sort of like a pod-racer in Star Wars. The engine sort of clunks along. In a way, that's cool too, I just prefer smoothness.

 

Ok, I see what you're saying. Your definition of peaky (which is probably more correct) is different from mine. Here is an old dynochart of my friend Andi Baritchi's Supra at stock + exhaust and BPU. It is the posterchild of my definition of peaky: http://boostaholic.com/supra/bpu_dyno.jpg

However, I can reassure you that power delivery in my 300 is as smooth as my 350.

Michael.

 

Can I interest you in an earthing system?

Michael.

 

: Can I interest you in an earthing system?

Yeah, if it works.

 

I am kind of disappointed. I thought i was getting a car that was really quick but the more i read of owners, the more is sounds like a car that is peppy but not really fast. I wish I could test drive one before i get mine. I hope i am not going to be disappointed. I know when I test drove a 300zx without the turbo, i thought it was a joke. I like the 300TT and I was hoping the 350ZX was going to give me the same feeling of accelleration. I know the 350zx is a better handling car than the 300TT, thank goodness! I am just wondering if i will have to put a turbo or SC on it to be happy?

How many of you that already got your 350Z disappointed in the acceleration?

 

Jeff, Jeff, Jeff I am offended that you made me think of a toyota celica when referring to the 350z!


I think that you selected the WRONG message from this thread...If any one thought this car was just "peppy" then those people need to give their 350z to someone who deserves it and go buy a WRX or 300zxtt.

The message from this thread:

The Z is fast. The Z is fast...oh lord all mighty the Z is FAST. Nobody ever said it wasnt, and if they did, Id race their 300zxtt any day and make some pretty hefty wagers. The only advantage the TT has is its ability to be modded. THEN you have a faster car.

What Im saying is that the Zxtt feels faster and thats it! Look at the times I posted and look at the available times for the 350z. They have the same range and appear statistically identical. The whole first year, the 300zxtt got a best 13.9 1/4 mile. What was the best 350z? 13.9 (discouting g-tech times).

Oh my gosh Im gonna rant till the sun goes down, so Im gonna get out of here

 

Jeff, I didn't pre-order a 350 because: 1) I was afraid I would get laid off, and 2) I couldn't imagine the 350 being better than the 300. After getting a ride in one (not even a test drive) in early Sep, I was still afraid for a lay off, but the car exceeded all my expectations and I _had_ to get one.

The 350 is fast enough and rivals the competition.

Michael.

 

oh yeah, and dont forget, that the turbo cars and cars like the s2000 are so difficult to get fast times out of, that the 350z will be consistenty faster that the 300zxtt during "normal" driving.

 

I am surprised how many people are complaining of the 350's acceration. I only know the hp and 0-60 times (5.4 to 55.8 depending on the tester). Actually what attracted me to the car was it's all around performance (o-60, hnadling, and braking) as well as good looks, dependability, and great price. The reason I open this thread was to get a idea how it compares to other cars I have driven and because most of us have driven a 300TT, I thought it was a good referenace point to open a relative discussion on it performance.

Trust me, I love the car and I cannot wait to get it. It was all I can do to cancel my fisrt order and chaqnce color but as with most of you, we want to get exactly what we want.

It seems like thus far, there are 3 things that divide how3 people rate acceleration on the car. First being if they are use to the gas pedal having a different feel then many other cars. Secondly, some people feel the 300TT is quciker form the basis of its surge when the turbo kicks in. Finally, people are comparing it to cars they have driven. If you sold a C5 vette to buy this car, it might seem relatively slow. If your last car was a 240Z then the over 2 second jump in 0-60 should make it seem quick.

Again, I cannot compare yet because I do not have mine and most delaers will not let you test drive yet. I hope this thread is giving those of us that are waiting for our cars a better perspective of how the car handles. That was my goal. I hope it is helping others as well as hleping me.

Finally, don't worry Mike. If the 350Z was a Celica, many of us would not be buying it or be on this webpage.

 

FINALLY, somebody made this point. Low-end torque is GOOD.

 

Wow, I see what you mean about the peakiness of that Supra! The power actualy goes down from 3-4k until it shoots up again wildly. That would be hard to drive!

For those concerned about the Z's power: The 350Z has gobs of power all over, where and when you need it. But if you want to deliver a hard kick in the pants, cruise to a constant speed in second gear at around 4500RPM and then jab the pedal to the floor. (If the tires try to lose traction and TCS spoils the fun, try it with TCS/VDC turned OFF.) Linear power delivery and linear throttle action means you can control the power delivery any way you like -- using your right foot. No waiting for turbos to spool, VTEC to kick in, or for the engine to get "on the cam". Just nail it and GO! (In case you haven't been paying attention, I think this is a good thing!)

 

Well here is my .02 I owned a 93 Z32TT & a 94 Z32 2+2 (at different times). The Z33 is lightyears ahead of the Z32 as far as handling, braking, steering, gear box, fit/finish, and looks. The Z32 is set up for some easy modding. But stock for stock the Z32 is no match, sorry. It isn't. I've race Two different Z32's stock, one 91 and one 94. I beat them both through third from a launch several times. And as far as "feeling" fast. I don't care how fast a car "feels", I care if it actually IS fast. I guess it's weird that people are so obssesed with 0-60, 1/4 etc. Isn't handling as equally important, if not more? Also, like I said we are talking about STOCK please, seeing as how the Z33 handles so much better and is newer and is as fast why is there confusion?

 

when you said you raced a z32 2 times and beat them, was it a non-turbo or TT?

 

Because we've got a few folks here obsessed over a single aspect of performance. If a person only cares about is 0-60 times they might as well buy a Camaro or Mustang cobra. Appreciating a sports car is about a a lot more than that. I learned more about driving and enjoying sports cars from my old Porsche 944 than anything I've ever owned. That car could only do 0-60 in 8.5 seconds. But it was incredibly well balanced, and had amazing brakes. Driving it fast in a sustained way required you actually learn how to drive a car instead of just pushing hard on the go pedal. It required you to learn shift points and throttle management, how to hit apexes, and downshifting to keep the engine in it's power band. I learned how to steer a car through a sweeper with the throttle in that car and thats a hell of a lot more fun than going fast in a straight line any day - because it actually takes skill.

In my experience, most people who buy cars that go fast don't have the slightest idea what to do with them and never learn to appreciate what they are capable of. And 0-60 times are a lousy surrogate for measuring the total capablities of such cars.

joe

 

Joe:

I hope all of use know that there is much more to performance than 0-60 because it is only one aspect. All I am trying to do is look at each aspect individually, otherwise, when asking someone how there Z performs, they will be describing one aspect as compared to another aspect. I just want to make sure we are all talking apples to apples. I do not feel 0-60 is the only aspect nor do I feel it is the most important aspect.

The reason I started out asking people about 0-60 times is a number of people that have already recieved their Z's were expressing disappointment in the acceration of the car. I was concerned with their disappointment so I wanted to create a thread that would give a lot of input into that issue alone. Maybe it was only one or two people that felt it was too slow?

Remember, many of us have not got our cars yet so the only reference we have to its performance and handling is what you guys tell us. I think I am typical in that I have ordered it but not been able to drive one yet.

 

Joy!

So you mean we can now look forward to more threads on each and every aspect of the performance of the car like this one?

I can't wait.

And FYI, I ordered mine in May and waited 6 months for it without driving it too. Just a hint - people can't tell you how it will feel to you.

joe

 

They were both Twin Turbos. And to finish kicking the dead horse, even if the Z33 isn't as fast in the 0-60 or 1/4 as a stock Z33TT (which they are ) the handling, braking, responsivness, gear box, weight, ease of driving, looks, cost of upkeep, and many more are all superior. I really don't think anyone can argue this. And ladies, we are talking about stock cars here, no Well I can mod my car to be 600 HP. Good for you. Buy a civic and have a blast.

 

Thanks for the input. I ws reading people posting the car was so slow. It really had me worried. If it can at least keep up or close to keeping up with a 300TT, that is pretty good (especially for 26-35k in 2002 money!). Add great braking, looks, and handling and I am a happy camper again!