What gives the VQ its unique sound?
Ever since I first bought my Z, I've always wondered what it was about the VQ that gave it its signature "bubbly whop" sound.
I always thought it was the exhaust. But after I installed my custom magnaflow, it still retained its "bubbly whop-ness".
My friends actually refer to it as the 350z mating call.
I kept the stock tips for my exhaust. Is that what makes it's unique sound?
Is it the way the cams are designed? Intake?
I'm dying to find out.
I love how the engine has that tinny sound, kinda like an M3. But still has this great unqiue bubbly sound.
I always thought it was the exhaust. But after I installed my custom magnaflow, it still retained its "bubbly whop-ness".
My friends actually refer to it as the 350z mating call.
I kept the stock tips for my exhaust. Is that what makes it's unique sound?
Is it the way the cams are designed? Intake?
I'm dying to find out.
I love how the engine has that tinny sound, kinda like an M3. But still has this great unqiue bubbly sound.
about the "VQ" ?? you just answered your own question...the vq is unique thats why it sounds good
Registered User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Orange County
I recently installed the Bassani TD and I don't think it's that much different than the stock. Just a little deeper, slightly louder, and I always get compliment on how my Z sounds.
I didn't say anywhere it sounds like a VQ motor, I implied that there's hints of the VQ sound somewhere in that sound clip and that's thanks to the exhaust, so yes the exhaust does have something to do with it as well.
did you ever run open headers yourself, or you talkin just from hearsay ???
because I took off my rear muffler piece at one time and ran everything stock with the rear muffler piece missing for a few months, and it was a big difference, a lot louder but the VQ sound and gurgle was there, but it was to the point of being barely recognizable, I think only VQ motorists would have recognized the sound....
So yea the muffler doesn't make ALL the difference, but definitely a big one.
so if the muffler alone changes up the sound that much, I can't imagine what the car sounds like without cats and no resonator.
did you ever run open headers yourself, or you talkin just from hearsay ???
because I took off my rear muffler piece at one time and ran everything stock with the rear muffler piece missing for a few months, and it was a big difference, a lot louder but the VQ sound and gurgle was there, but it was to the point of being barely recognizable, I think only VQ motorists would have recognized the sound....
So yea the muffler doesn't make ALL the difference, but definitely a big one.
so if the muffler alone changes up the sound that much, I can't imagine what the car sounds like without cats and no resonator.
dunno how to explain it... But I have guys complement me left and right on my exhaust note so, it's obviously still recognizable as a VQ, even to those that don't drive one... You can definitely hear the bubbly whop-ness a lot more pronounced now... this thread made me wanna go for a drive
... I've played around w/ several rpm ranges, and thats the one that's best worked for me so far... cops don't like it, but meh, it's still below 93 decibels (barely 
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Registered User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Ever since I first bought my Z, I've always wondered what it was about the VQ that gave it its signature "bubbly whop" sound.
I always thought it was the exhaust. But after I installed my custom magnaflow, it still retained its "bubbly whop-ness".
My friends actually refer to it as the 350z mating call.
I kept the stock tips for my exhaust. Is that what makes it's unique sound?
Is it the way the cams are designed? Intake?
I'm dying to find out.
I love how the engine has that tinny sound, kinda like an M3. But still has this great unqiue bubbly sound.
I always thought it was the exhaust. But after I installed my custom magnaflow, it still retained its "bubbly whop-ness".
My friends actually refer to it as the 350z mating call.
I kept the stock tips for my exhaust. Is that what makes it's unique sound?
Is it the way the cams are designed? Intake?
I'm dying to find out.
I love how the engine has that tinny sound, kinda like an M3. But still has this great unqiue bubbly sound.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue, WA
It is the shape, length and size of the air path from the valves through the engine, exhaust manifold, etc. back to the exhaust itself. A car with a direct pipes off of the exhaust ports sounds like mild firecrackers each time the cylinder fires (I've seen an engine run like this). The VQ must have a few bends and changes in size in there that produce the tuning. Just as with a pipe organ, each pipe length and volume affects tone and pitch.
As opposed to what? Cruising at 2k-2.5k? Then basically on the highway, you get better mileage driving 60 mph in 5th gear than 6th? I don't understand
