How much more hp does the 350Z need?
#81
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Originally Posted by ken350z
Where would they take the weight from? What part don't you want? Ok, a lighter crank pully, throw out the rear wiper. That's what, 20lbs? It's already has only two seats, the engine and hood is already aluminum.
What's left? AC, electric windows, Heater core, carpets.
What's left? AC, electric windows, Heater core, carpets.
weight reduction.. Aluminum roof/hatch doors, composite fenders, lighter wheels (even the cheapest range rovers use 10gauge alum. body pannels)
, also has rust proof benifits.
power: intake/ exhaust mods, cams, ecu...
mabey $5k more???
of course those would cost abit more.. (expected)
kindof like they did with the EVO MR
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Originally Posted by kinyu
If they did bump the 350z to 350hp, I would consider trading my z06 in for one. Your interiors are much better, handling is equivalent, and it would probably lower my car payment by $350 a month. And to answer the question earlier, I use 100% of my car every time I drive it :P
#84
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There are a lot of interesting comments being made, but the two most important things that ANY car manufacturer looks at when designing a car are being overlooked here.
1. Profitability
2. Avoidance of law suits
The Z returned to the market after a 6 year hiatus for one reason, and one reason alone: it was a brand image leader that led to increased sales of the entire Nissan line. Without it, sales slumped. Last year, I my wife bought a Maxima SE. I don't think that I if I didn't own a Z, we would have looked at the car.
The last Z outpriced itself from it's target marget. Nissan won't make that mistake again. To make the Z 300lbs lighter and give it 30-50 more hp, would increase costs to the point where it would eat into sales, and decrease reliability at a given cost level.
My guess: 320hp and the same overall weight with about a $2k price hike.
1. Profitability
2. Avoidance of law suits
The Z returned to the market after a 6 year hiatus for one reason, and one reason alone: it was a brand image leader that led to increased sales of the entire Nissan line. Without it, sales slumped. Last year, I my wife bought a Maxima SE. I don't think that I if I didn't own a Z, we would have looked at the car.
The last Z outpriced itself from it's target marget. Nissan won't make that mistake again. To make the Z 300lbs lighter and give it 30-50 more hp, would increase costs to the point where it would eat into sales, and decrease reliability at a given cost level.
My guess: 320hp and the same overall weight with about a $2k price hike.
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Originally Posted by Speedracer
There are a lot of interesting comments being made, but the two most important things that ANY car manufacturer looks at when designing a car are being overlooked here.
1. Profitability
2. Avoidance of law suits
The Z returned to the market after a 6 year hiatus for one reason, and one reason alone: it was a brand image leader that led to increased sales of the entire Nissan line. Without it, sales slumped. Last year, I my wife bought a Maxima SE. I don't think that I if I didn't own a Z, we would have looked at the car.
The last Z outpriced itself from it's target marget. Nissan won't make that mistake again. To make the Z 300lbs lighter and give it 30-50 more hp, would increase costs to the point where it would eat into sales, and decrease reliability at a given cost level.
My guess: 320hp and the same overall weight with about a $2k price hike.
1. Profitability
2. Avoidance of law suits
The Z returned to the market after a 6 year hiatus for one reason, and one reason alone: it was a brand image leader that led to increased sales of the entire Nissan line. Without it, sales slumped. Last year, I my wife bought a Maxima SE. I don't think that I if I didn't own a Z, we would have looked at the car.
The last Z outpriced itself from it's target marget. Nissan won't make that mistake again. To make the Z 300lbs lighter and give it 30-50 more hp, would increase costs to the point where it would eat into sales, and decrease reliability at a given cost level.
My guess: 320hp and the same overall weight with about a $2k price hike.
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Originally Posted by FatBoy1
Good points, I say 325 HP and 2K... JMO
you have people now crying that they got busted by a Volvo sedan offering(I personally do not see how...but)...
And I tell you.....let the best in the legendary sports car line get busted by a Jeep.....boy that will work wonders for your brand...
I'm sticking to my earlier statement...
Touring>>>up the HP to 400hp (midlife crisis segment likes to roll large)
Track >>>>up to 400+hp
Enthisiast>>350hp
This allows exceptional offerings and can be differentiated by price point if they wish
Track >>>>up to 400+hp
Enthisiast>>350hp
This allows exceptional offerings and can be differentiated by price point if they wish
Last edited by JoneZZZ; 01-08-2006 at 03:59 PM.
#87
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Originally Posted by JoneZZZ
And what about the damage to the brand that occurs when you have a medeocre(sp) product on the market........for crying out loud, the average sport sedan is running close to 300hp..........
you have people now crying that they got busted by a Volvo sedan offering(I personally do not see how...but)...
And I tell you.....let the best in the legendary sports car line get busted by a Jeep.....boy that will work wonders for your brand...
I'm sticking to my earlier statement...
you have people now crying that they got busted by a Volvo sedan offering(I personally do not see how...but)...
And I tell you.....let the best in the legendary sports car line get busted by a Jeep.....boy that will work wonders for your brand...
I'm sticking to my earlier statement...
#88
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Originally Posted by lw3
The jeep is tuned by srt and the Z is just made by nissan.A more fair comparison would be the srt8 jeep vs a nismo tuned Z. I would expect the jeep to win since it is being tuned by chrysler's performance division and the Z is just a factory made nissan. I would be concerned if nismo made a Z and it got smoked by the srt8 jeep.
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Originally Posted by lw3
The jeep is tuned by srt and the Z is just made by nissan.A more fair comparison would be the srt8 jeep vs a nismo tuned Z. I would expect the jeep to win since it is being tuned by chrysler's performance division and the Z is just a factory made nissan. I would be concerned if nismo made a Z and it got smoked by the srt8 jeep.
Just as the "M" or "AMG" offerings are clearly above average.....the Nissan/NISMO brand would be helped by a standard setting offering....Tell me if I am wrong....but does NISMO provide a competitive offering to the SRT8?
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If the history of the Z is any indicator (240Z to 300ZX), the 350Z will increase incrementally in displacement. It will also get heavier. We’re also beginning to see more bells and whistles (audio controls on the steering wheel). In years ahead, the Z will be a fat luxury grand touring 2-seater. Its called progress.
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Originally Posted by JoneZZZ
I understand ......I would like to see a competitive NISMO offering......to help the brand.
Just as the "M" or "AMG" offerings are clearly above average.....the Nissan/NISMO brand would be helped by a standard setting offering....Tell me if I am wrong....but does NISMO provide a competitive offering to the SRT8?
Just as the "M" or "AMG" offerings are clearly above average.....the Nissan/NISMO brand would be helped by a standard setting offering....Tell me if I am wrong....but does NISMO provide a competitive offering to the SRT8?
#92
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Originally Posted by kinyu
What I would change about the car is the track version. When I think of an actual track car, it doesn't have all the amenities that a regular car has. A track version of a car should be completely stripped to save weight (cobra r, firebird formula), when in reality, there is not much of a difference between them.
They should definitely have a real "track version".
Strip all of the sound deadening material they added ON TO the 2003 chasis that made the 2006's that much heavier.
Keep the brembos, lightweight wheels and delete the VDC or any electronic nannies that would get in the way of the track car.
Throw in the Nismo LSD, (maybe clutch and flyweel) and lightweight Nismo seats and sell it for marginally more than the rest of the lineup. If they price it right, I don't see where they'll bite into profits.
Unlike the existing "Nismo" cars or upgrades, Nissan doesn't need to drastically modify or equip all their Z's, they just need a moderately produced and affordable (sub 40k) "Halo" Z in their lineup to represent the car's potential. Just a good hand of cards to open on the new players that will come on the market.
They'll please the enthusiasts all while working with what they've already got.
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Sorry to bust any bubbles but the stock Z is not a fast car, maybe quick at most. But with all the great things about the Z once you double the HP from the factory it's one of the funnest, most exciting cars to drive out there.
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Originally Posted by kinyu
I never said all the time, just every time I drive it. If I went from stoplight to stoplight at full speed, id eventually kill myself. Damn thing gets squirly into third gear
But I didnt buy the thing to be a show car either, so as I get to the more empty roads on the outskirts of Phoenix, then I will let it rip.
By the way, Ive noticed when I drive the 350z, everyone always wants to challenge me to a race. It seems every other stop light there is some import guy revving at me. It's not the same in the Vette. I have owned two different Vettes in the last year and a half, and only one person in that entire amount of time ever challenged me. It's almost like you guys are being forced to drive fast
But I didnt buy the thing to be a show car either, so as I get to the more empty roads on the outskirts of Phoenix, then I will let it rip.
By the way, Ive noticed when I drive the 350z, everyone always wants to challenge me to a race. It seems every other stop light there is some import guy revving at me. It's not the same in the Vette. I have owned two different Vettes in the last year and a half, and only one person in that entire amount of time ever challenged me. It's almost like you guys are being forced to drive fast
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Originally Posted by trefling
Sorry to bust any bubbles but the stock Z is not a fast car, maybe quick at most. But with all the great things about the Z once you double the HP from the factory it's one of the funnest, most exciting cars to drive out there.
I have always thought that a 13sec 1/4 mile car was quick at a track. I know we have other cars out there that are quicker because of technology. But, come on guys/gals a 13sec 1/4 mile car is quick .... maybe not the quickest .... but still quick.
I have a low 11, high 10 Camaro for the strip. Looking for 9's. I still consider the 350Z to be a quick street car. Not a quick race car .... but a quick street car. All in all it's what you want and need.
Now for fast ..... 158mph with limitter and 175+ without a limitter .... THAT IS A FAST CAR !!!! However, the Camaro stated above is a faster car down the quarter mile.
Does this make sense to you guys/gals?
Last edited by Z_Driver; 01-08-2006 at 09:32 PM.
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I love the Z, and everything about it, yet we all are going for power upgrades and Im sure everyone can agree more power is nice, for those of you that leave your cars stock, more power to you for not getting bitten by the mod bug. But for me, well, I was bitten about 5 years before I bought the car lol. On that note, I think, that 100 hp/liter has been a fairly old somewhat easy technology by todays standards, and I really feel that Nissan should've employed that in the 350Z. Is it possible to do this with mods, yes, but it costs alot of money to have an NA 350Z at 350hp, I think to attain a 320 -330 hp NA Z is more feasible.
#98
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Originally Posted by trefling
Sorry to bust any bubbles but the stock Z is not a fast car, maybe quick at most. But with all the great things about the Z once you double the HP from the factory it's one of the funnest, most exciting cars to drive out there.
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if i were doing the 07/08 Z:
1. rev-up engine would get a tune-up:
-variable intake geometry
-higher compression
-7.5k redline
-325hp
2. instead of brembos which are likely expensive, id do 13" stoptech oem supplied with nissan badging on the brake calipers. nismo oem brakes would be 14" stoptech bbk oem kit. there would be no track model, just a nismo model.
3. weight 3000lbs via lighter weight materials.. more aluminum use on body panels/chassis for example...also aluminum exhuast
4. lightly restyled exterior
5. completely restyled interior
6. improved handling via more rigid/lightweight chassis
7. improved aerodynamics to make 170mph doable w/ 325hp and 150mph much more stable.
8. better nvh. not that expensive and should be possible to do a good job and still get to 3k lbs
Base model would be $29,999.. max price wouldn't exceed $35,999.
This car is designed to be the affordable sports car, and nothing more. I think that this would best fit those needs and still give the z a very competitive edge in the marketplace
1. rev-up engine would get a tune-up:
-variable intake geometry
-higher compression
-7.5k redline
-325hp
2. instead of brembos which are likely expensive, id do 13" stoptech oem supplied with nissan badging on the brake calipers. nismo oem brakes would be 14" stoptech bbk oem kit. there would be no track model, just a nismo model.
3. weight 3000lbs via lighter weight materials.. more aluminum use on body panels/chassis for example...also aluminum exhuast
4. lightly restyled exterior
5. completely restyled interior
6. improved handling via more rigid/lightweight chassis
7. improved aerodynamics to make 170mph doable w/ 325hp and 150mph much more stable.
8. better nvh. not that expensive and should be possible to do a good job and still get to 3k lbs
Base model would be $29,999.. max price wouldn't exceed $35,999.
This car is designed to be the affordable sports car, and nothing more. I think that this would best fit those needs and still give the z a very competitive edge in the marketplace
Last edited by tekk; 01-09-2006 at 07:52 AM.