i dunno where the car's "signature" sound comes from, but wherever it is, its sounds damn nice

 

Yup, I believe it has alot to do with the VQ engine. Even the Nissan Pathfinder, which uses the 4.0VQ sounds very similar. (TV commercial)

 

You mean you guys never knew ... ??? They have a Big Wheel, rear wheel spring mechanism, that contacts the back rim as it rotates, which creates that special sound

 

Nissan sent out a release to all the preorder customers back in the day that had a cd and some info cards in it. You could rev the engine at the touch of a button. Best I remember they described that the Z exhaust note was inspired by 3 other cars. I know one was the Maserati. I dont recall the others, maybe someone here does. The note was tuned to sound that way and it was not necessarily a product of the engine type.

 

I love the the VQ on the 350Z, sounds like a very large beast. Unlike my prelude...

 

speaking of sound, why is it that the car sounds louder when the engine is colder?

 

the G's louder sound vs the Z is becuz of the extra weight

 

 

Here is the real story from Motor Trend:

The sounds of the Z's engine add some entertainment. Nissan engineers benchmarked the Maserati 3200GT and Ferrari 360 Modena V-8s, and although the straight runners in the 350Z aren't as rich-sounding as those in the Acura NS-X or Porsche 911 and Boxster S, there's some grain and grit to the Z's intake phonics in the 3500-6000-rpm range. It sounds like it means business. Likewise, Nissan planners worked the exhaust to impart some character-not something most Japanese cars are known for. What the 350Z has is certainly not the rumble of a Corvette or Mustang Cobra, nor the bark of a Honda S2000 or Toyota MR2 Spider, but more of a BMW-like throaty baritone in the 1000-3500-rpm window. It seems to fit.

So it is a combination of intake resonance, engine mechanicals, and exhaust....a veritable symphony of sound for our lucky ears!

 

Good find!

 

I took my Z out of storage this past weekend(since October!).......the engine note is so sweet, I have yet to put in any of my new CD's!!!!

 

Supposedly the engineers spent a lot of time getting the right tone. They did a good job I think. Sounds almost like a woodwind instrument. I just think most aftermarket exhausts (except for nismo) ruins it.

 

I knew there was a reason I got the NISMO exhaust! Many factors influence engine sound, as have been pretty well discussed before. I'm a motorcycle sound person, and "V" engines definitely speak to me...a raucous Ducati or Aprilia at about 9500 is MY music! Harleys are "potato-potato..."

FWIW, most auto V-6s sound pretty "raspy" compared to V-8s, which are much more mellifluous (huh?). Nissan did a very nice job getting the VQ to sound good. After I installed the NISMO exhaust, my son's Mustang-owner friend remarked "that sounds like a Ferrari." Maybe he meant Maserati...

 

Because air throughout the engine and pipes are more denser when it is cold, causing a stronger air pressure pushing out of the exhaust.

As heat rises, the air gets less dense.

 

SWEET!!!!

I get my NISMO exhaust w/ my HF Cats on Monday!

I hope the HF Cats dont ruin it.

 

So how much did you guys pay for your NISMO exhaust?

 

I got mine from Mynismo.com (sponsor of our great sight)

I got a butt load of stuff so not sure for that item alone but they do have a nismo special or something.

 

ROFL!!! Couldn't have said it better myself!

I do however love the sound of the engine and ehaust note! I ride almost everywhere with my windows down, just so i can hear the growl of the engine....

 

Everytime I hear one (Z, G, FX35) I get a grin on my face ear to ear.

 

Signature my @$$. Try driving next to an FX35 and you'll know what I mean.