or is this a myth? Several people I've spoken too said their Z seemed to get "faster" when they had a few thousand (5-9k) on the odometer. Right now I have 2000 something and would like to look forward to something

 

Yes as the motor breaks in its gets stonger and from all of my previous Maximas and Z, the 3.5 is by far the best. I have noticed in both the 03 Max(9,200 miles) and 350 (11,200 miles) that they are so much stronger than when they had 2,000 miles and mainly up top.

 

so you're saying the motor isn't fully broken in til around 6k? If thats the case, maybe I shouldnt be doing full throttle runs on my 2k motor!

 

I noticed that my Z started being able to break the tires lose in 3rd gear at about 2500 miles. I think the answer to your question is YES !

 

YES. And after 1200 you are fine to go to town on her. The engine just matures and works more efficetly as the miles add up.....at least to a point.

 

I heard that the computer chip makes the car's performance change at 5,000 miles. I'm guessing that it just collects data on how the individual is driving for that period of time, and adjusts various things accordingly. I do believe it impacts the 5AT much more than it does the 6MT since if the driver always drives like a bat out of hell the computer can tell the tranny to switch gears later on in the RPM range.

 

No its broken in at around 1,200-1,300 miles but the motor is still "new" as it gets older and everything is settle it just becomes stronger. Its hard to explain sort of like EnthuZiast said.

 

I noticed the sound of the engine change somewhere between 2500 and 3000 miles. I thought something was up. It does have a bit more juice than when I got the car, It also shifts better now than it did. Too bad it's starting to get cold out. I hate Winter in Cheeseland.

 

Just a day or two ago I remember reading the post here about people not feeling as much power now compare to how it was in the beginning. I wonder if it's all mental. I also don't really think that computer is collecting data on your driving habbits, but don't know for sure.

 

When Car & Driver does their long term tests on cars (usually at 40,000 miles) the cars, trucks, SUV's or whatever always get about half a second quicker to 60 and 1/4 mile than when new. Im sure at some point after 40,000 miles that performance will begin to decrease as engine wear and age become a factor.

 

13K Feelin' stronger every day!

 

perhaps the extra power their feeling is like some say, they can now break traction in 3rd. just a correlation to the colder temps giving more HP and less traction than the hot summer heat?

just a scientificly proven observation that may be mistaken for more hp.

I do believe cars increase HP from 0-1200miles or whatever, but I dont think it continues on forever. Id also bet car and driver gets better times cause they have continously more experience with the car, and thus better times.

 

Dyno the car at 0 miles, 1200miles and 10000miles.
On the same car with same temperature and atmosphere pressure.
Then we'll have a Hard Fact answer.

Anyone doen that?

....but Dyno machines gets old over time
TOO many variables to shut everyone up, including myself.

 

Pulled apart a VQ30DE with 170K on it last year....you could still see the factory etching in the cylinder bores. These engines literally are capable of outlasting the rest of the car assuming proper care.

I used to have a Maxima with the VQ30 and it ran it's strongest at OVER 100K on the odo. In fact, the quickest normally aspirated VQ30DE maxima has nearly 150K miles on the clock....other maxs with similiar mods can't touch it.