I've done research everywhere and still couldn't find what this year of 04.5 really means. This is my understanding of the difference in hp for the past years of 350.

03: all 287 hp engine
04: all 287 hp engine
05: all 287 hp engine except for the 35th anniversary/track which has 300hp engine
06: 287 hp engine for Auto Transmission and 300 hp engine for Manual Trasmission
07: all 306 hp engine
08: all 306 hp engine

Now please correct me if I'm wrong but if I'm not, can someone please tell me what it means to have a 04.5 350z?

Thanks,
Yorick

 

2006 Auto tranny 287HP. Not sure about 2004.5 though. I think Nissan fixed a major discrepancy.

 

thanks blue..I changed it for the 2006 year. But I still have no clue what it means to have a 04.5 350z, lol. anyone? I'm assuming it's still just an 04 350z but something is different and hence adding the .5 to it....but what's different and why add the 0.5

Yorick

 

:d

 

.5 had changes, but the motor is the same. I believe it's air bags and some other ancillary changes.
Oh, and I think the 04.5 is when they introduced Wideband O2 sensors.

 

Complete specifications for each year and each model can be found here: http://www.nissanhelp.com/.

 

lol that site is kinda useless...can't relaly find the answer to my question.

Yorick

 

isnt the .5 rev-up

 

I have to agree with Yawick on that. Ever since they "redesigned" the site a few months back, it has become almost impossible to use. Even knowing what's there and what to look for, it's still tough to find anything. It's impossible for somebody who's not already familiar with it.

 

The 2004.5 is essentially the same as the 2004 Z was with some cosmetic changes along with the suspension change and the emissions update to ULEV.

 

The early 2004's don't have knee pads. The 2004.5's do.

 

haha it seems like everyone is just adding on to this list of differences between the 2004 and 2004.5. Well bottomline is the difference isn't the engine (which is what I'm most concerned about when shopping for a Z) and I'm assuming the following differences listed shouldn't really be a concern?

So when I shop for a Z should I choose the 04.5 over the 04? Are the changes done to the 04.5 also carried onto the 05+ versions?

1) air bags
2) ancillary changes
3) wideband O2 sensors
4) cosmetic changes
5) suspension changes
6) emissions update to ULEV
7) knee pads (what are knee pads anyway??)

Yorick

 

I just posted a new one about the 04 vs 04.5 woops.

I have to disagree with the knee pads. My Z was made in Dec 03 (on door jam) and I have them.

 

The airbags are different? I'm not so sure about that.

The knee pads are on the center console, on either side of the shifter. When looking at '04s, it's the easiest way to tell what variart it is. If you want, i'll take a picture.

 

The airbag change came in 2006, that's why there is a 2006.5 model.

Kneepad are not the tell-all for 2004.5, as there are some 2004's with them.

The only sure way you can tell is in the VIN numbers:

2004 Nissan 350Z Coupe/Roadster (Coupe VINs up to D*4T160000,E*4T060000) (Roadster VINs from D*4T102001 to D*4T110000 & from A*4T002001 to A*4T010000)

2004.5 Nissan 350Z Coupe/Roadster (Coupe VINs from D*4T160001, E*4T060001) ( Roadster VINs from D*4T110001, A*4T010001)

If the letter before the 6 digit serial number is "M" instead of "T", it's a 2004.5 because it was produced at the Oppama plant.


Over the years, there have been LOTS of discussions on the 2004 vs 2004.5 issue, check out some of them...


https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-nissan-350z/153241-is-there-a-way-to-tell-if-my-car-is-2004-or-2004-5-a.html
https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-nissan-350z/177919-2004-5-2004-a.html
https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-nissan-350z/120932-04-5-a.html
https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-nissan-350z/149067-differences-between-2003-and-2004-a.html

 

The engine isn’t what you need to be concerned with its the transmission, frankly that’s the only reason why I'd prefer the 04.5 is because it has the revised tranny, hopefully saves you a lot of headaches.

I haven't read too many engine problem threads, except for the 06 revups with the oil consumption problem.

 

D14T162090 - would be at 2004 right? And if so then I am one to make the saying about knee pads invalid.

 

04.5

to put it in simple terms...

D14T15.... is 04
D14T16.... is 04.5
DX4M....... is 04.5

 

Don't forget the significant drop in torque starting with the 300hp engine.

 

The 2004.5 gives you a seatbelt retainer for the passenger correct?