Chris S

I disagree, at least w/o resorting to forced induction. The Z engine doesn't allow enough revs to make that kind of power. I'd guess an 8K rpm redline would be necessary.

Wiley

What wrong with 8k redline

But then again I STILL have found out what the rod/stroke ratio is yet. That will let you know if 8k can be done. Assuming they do cams and valvesprings to match.

Michael-Dallas

Well, from what I've read, the stroke of the VQ in the 350 is actually shorter than the stroke of the VG in the 300. The 300 has a 7k redline (if that tells you anything). A short stroke leaves room for increased redlines.

I'm sure people thought 222hp NA was hard to get back in 1990. The JWT stage 3 upgrade takes takes it up to 260hp.

If you've payed particular attention to the 350 dynochart (from SCC magazine), then you'll see that tq is relatively flat, but it can be flatter. An NSX dynochart will literally have a straight line for tq. Consider that hp = tq * rpm / 5252. If you increased the redline to 8000rpm (or even 7500), swapped the cams that favored top end breathing, and kept that 274ft-lbs of tq... you do the math...

I'll give you an example (I'll even fudge the numbers down):

(260ft-lb * 7200rpm) / 5252rpm = 356hp

There are many reasons why the 350 is only 287hp. Maybe insurance purposes (300+ hp may be that magic number where insurance goes up) or maybe they want to leave room in subsequent years for improvement as other auto manufacturers play catch up. I mean, what's the point of targeting the Porsche Boxster S and letting loose all your eggs and have 360hp? Sure you'll completely obliderate the Boxster S in power, but that'll just make Porsche want to exceed that 360hp -- where will the 350z be when Porsche matches and exceeds that figure w/ their Boxster S? All maxed out on hp tweaks...? If you note, the power/weight ratio between the 350z and Boxster S is VERY close. Porsche as already upped the hp to the 2003 Boxster S from 250hp to 258hp.

It's all speculation, but from what I'm seeing, 360hp is certainly doable by Nissan. The VQ motor is their bread'n'butter and they are experts in V-6's. (BTW, M3's are I-6's )

Michael.

Chris S

Reciprocating mass and vibes are the enemies of high revs, and the VQ engine has both factors working against it.

First, 3.5L is a fairly sizable displacement/cylinder, which all else being equal means heavier reciprocating mass (pistons, connecting rods, etc.).

Secondly, V6's don't have the perfect primary balance of an I6, which is smoother @ high rpms w/o needing a counterbalancer.

I'm not saying that an 8K redline couldn't be achieved, but this engine is not optimized for it, and it would likely be expensive relative to the results achieved. If I'm wrong, I'd be first in line for a 350 w/ such an engine!

ATL350Z

iTrader: (2)

I can't see the engine staying NA and going from 287hp to 360hp and still be legal for sale on the street. FI, definitely, but that is a HUGE performance gain for just tuning. I have read a couple of times now that the engine is detuned by Nissan. In a market where specsmanship is just as important as real performance, why would Nissan intentionally dumb down their HP numbers? Sounds like an urban legend, but I would love to be proved wrong.

Hank Nukem

A good yarn is specific without being too specific, believable without requiring a lot of suspension of disbelief, and its told to people who want to hear it. If Nissan wanted to make a Z with 400 hp they could do it but they would probably go with a V-8 and they would have to modify a lot more than just the engine to make that 400 hp usable and the whole Z reliable. Who knows what the future will bring?

matshane

I think Jay knows something about a turbo model! I read in another thread that he is waiting on his 350z purchase to see if a turbo model that is now being tested comes out next year. What can you tell us Jman?

Chris S

Think about it...why did the 300ZX die? High cost, high insurance rates, etc. The new Z is a great value, but push the price up too high and consumers will look @ European models and the Vette as viable alternatives. Same thing happened to the Supra, which didn't sell well despite being an awesome car.

c350z

Have you guys noticed all the crap ricky posts. He is full of it. Read all his other posts. He just says junk for the fun of it. Sorry to be harsh but its true.

Boomer

I don't believe the figures he's putting out for the Z or what he thinks the M3 will be as well. BMW has just about exhausted the potential of the straight 6, remember, this engine dates back to the 60s and 70s. It was signicant that BMW put in the V8 in the M3 for racing, they couldn't get any more out of the 6.

As for the Z, any FI is really pure speculation, what about the GTR? "I heard" is starting to get really old.

Boomer