I've seen some threads of people comparing the 07 to the previous year Zs. Well, I own a 06 Z, and a friend of mine got a new 07 z. I drove the 07 z for good amount of period throughout multiple days, trying to find all the differences between the new and the old. Here are some findings.

- Gearing is different. On my 06 z, 1st >>> 35mph 2nd >>>65mph 3rd >>> 95mph.... whereas on 07 z, gearing is a bit longer: 1st >>> 45mph 2nd>>>75mph 3rd>>>105mph. I can see why 07's are hitting much lower 1/4 numbers; i'm sure some of it has to do with new gearing (don't have to shift to 4th at the end)
- 07's definitely pull harder. We "raced" each other multiple times, and when he had at least a decent launch, he would gradually and steadily pull on my 06 every gear. He was ahead by a car by middle of my 4th gear.
- clutch feels stiffer. It could be that his clutch is new and mine is a year old, but it definitely felt different through shifting.
- engine sound is more.... refined(?). my 06 sounded more aggressive; 07 sounded more airy (hard to decribe... sorry haha)

there were some more minor differences, but these 4 were the noticeable ones. i just thought i'd share... =)

-jelly

 

Thanks - good info. Big difference in gearing (but also, I guess the higher redline helps a bit)

 

Only problem with this 07 is that when you have the mod itch (like I do) and realize after tint, springs, and exhaust, there's nothing else!! Oh the agony....

 

jelly, you modded or stock??

 

i love my 06 minus oil consumption

 

someone is bored at work today....yeah me too Jelly..

Funny, when i was reading this i didnt realize it was your post and i was thinking "all these differances are exactly right on....down to the "when he could get a decent launch" part."

Jelly mods:
hotchkis springs
Pop charger
Nismo exhaust

 

I think the longer gearing is what accounts for the increased MPG of the 07.. not from the engine itself.

 

Gotcha. And you must be the '07 owner .

 

im actually busy at work, but it's so damn boring. =)

 

yep, he's the one. =)

it took some time for him to get used to his car, but last night he won me fair and square from a dig. even though i got a good jump, he reeled in me slowly till end of 4th.... won by a good car length.

 

I found one reference for the 300 HP gear ratios. Looks like all the other transmission ratios to me. Is this an error?

 

hm... the image is blocked at work so I cannot see what you're referring to. sorry about that.

but i do know for a fact that 07 gears are longer than 06. utilizing the "new" engine and allowing the car to hit 1/4 mile before hitting 4th gear is a pretty smart ploy for Nissan, since our Zs are becoming more and more outdated... probably saved 0.1~0.2 seconds.

now... we know it does well from a dig... i wonder how it'll fare from rolling start. hm... =)

 

06/07 is close from a roll, no contest from a dig.

Gearing is the same, the redline is 500 rpm's higher, and you get into 4th in the 1.4 if you drive it right....2nd goes to 70 and 3rd to just over 100.

 

Thanks for verifying the gear ratios.

 

it goes to 75 on 2nd, 105 on 3rd I tell ya! that's a big difference! =)

but seriously... i doubt that a bone stock Z will trap any higher than 105mph on the quarter mile... even an 07 Z.

 

I dunno...we should find out.. :-P

 

+1

 

 

I tell you from experience that I was in 4th gear at 102.7 and had been there for 100 feet before I finished the 1/4.

Not to mention I have redlined the car in second using the digital speed readout and it shown 70. The dial speedometer is always a bit off - I'll use my GPS later to triple check. But I've had the car on the track and know 100% that it won't hit 105 in 3rd.

 

Motor Trend tested 13.7@104 on the 07 Z. With more breakin it should be 105 or better.