just woundering what people think should go into the new z or a diff. look? what would your ideas be?

 

having the trunk dual function as a spoiler so you could just pop your trunk and become more aerodynamic

 

3.7 motor, obviously, and 200lbs weight reduction.

 

3.8 motor and 400lbs weight reduction

 

400lb reduction is possible but 3.8 is a for sure no.

 

Let's split the difference and say 3.7 with 300# weight reduction.

That would sell me (new body or not).

 

Yeah, that would sell me too although I would like a new body as well.

 

Yeah, a 3.7 Liter is the motor going in the new G, but 370Z just doesn't sound right, when you listen to it in your head. It doesn't have nearly as good a sales pitch as 350Z does. If anything, I think it might be a 380Z. But, regardless of the engine displacement, the next car should, in my opinion, be a little more aggressive in the looks department. The interior could also use a more integrated computer setup. Don't get me wrong, I love the onboard computer in the first gauge on the dash. But, I'm thinking a completely integrated system in a touch screen LCD display - sort of like what we see in the R34 Skyline GT-R, but more advanced. Oh, and the next one should be available in a turbo model, alongside an N/A.

 

A 200lb weight reduction would be impossible for Nissan. The Altima Coupe was supposed to be much lighter but the 3.5L version is still close to 3200lbs.

The thing is, if they put the a 3.7L motor into the new Z, they would even have to ADD more weight in the rear to keep the car close to 50/50 weight distribution.

The conclusion is that you can't expect a larger motor and weight reduction at the same time. Just look at the new G37.

 

O dear, 370z sounds funny, lets throw in another engine because of that.

The 3.7 doesnt weight 500lb more than the 3.5. Smaller wheel base and using lighter car components will make the new z lighter.

 

The 3.7 will weigh at least 100lbs more (again, check out the G37) will already throw the car off balance. A front-heavy car with lightweight rear = poor handling for an RWD. You could pull it off with an FWD, but not a RWD.

 

The overall car of the g37 weighs 100+ lbs more. It doesnt necessarily mean the engines weighs that much more. And the car is said to be 50/50 or 53/47 weight ratio, so your poor handling theory wont come about.

 

Do you have a source for that information? The 3.7 is just a stroked version of the 3.5- a slightly taller block. I have not seen specifics on engine weights but it's doubtful it weighs much more. Almost certainly it does not weigh 100 lbs more. Using your math the 5.6 l V8 engine would weigh 1050 pounds more than the 3.5l VQ and the 4.0l engine 250 pounds more. Not likely. If someone has information on the 3.7 and 3.5 engine weights it would be great to see it. The G37 is a larger car with a longer wheelbase that is clearly being moved upstream to the luxury market (heavier) and can't be compared directly to the Z. The extra weight gain comes from building a more refined car and not all from a .2 c engine bump.



It's far fetched to say a 200lb. weight reduction is impossible. In fact that shouldn't really even be that difficult. Competitors to the Z are 200-400 lbs lighter currently. There are many things that can be done to reduce weight and statements from Nissan brass have already been made saying they want to stop new model/yearly weight increases and ask suppliers to provide lower weight parts. As well it is strongly rumoured the Z will slightly decrease in size which will reduce mass and weight.
There is much more incentive to do this on a performance car compared to the Altima you referred to.


Front to rear balance has a lot more to it than the affect of changing to a slightly bigger displacement motor which may or may not be marginally heavier than the one it is expected to replace. For example, the BMW Z4M has the battery mounted in the trunk. That one part of approx. 50lbs would dramatically affect balance. Therefore adding weight to the rear doesn't have to mean adding weight to the car.

The only conclusion one can have is weight reduction and a well balanced car with more power can be done. The only question is will Nissan do it?

Back on topic: I want 2-300lb weight reduction, 330-350 hp, better (harder) paint.

 

Drop a new GM LS3 into it and call it done.

 

From Infiniti's own website:

2003 G35 Coupe 6MT: 3435 lbs
2008 G37 Coupe 6MT: 3668 lbs

That is a difference of 233 lbs. Before the release of the G37, people were hoping that it would weigh less than the G35. Unfortunately, Nissan double slapped us in the face by adding 200 lbs more.

However, RBull you are very right, the additional weight came more from additional luxury features and different dimensions, rather than from the engine alone.

I should have been more clear and said that reducing 200lbs it not possible without raising the MSRP of the car or sacrificing the structural integrity of the car. Lighter components usually equal more cost. It would be a huge engineering feat for Nissan if they do succeed!

 

I agree completely. In fact, I've posted the same thing myself many times, only to be flamed by the folks who seem to think it should be no problem for Nissan/Infiniti to build a 3.8 Z which weighs about the same as a Lotus Exige S, all for about $30K. I'm with ya, JunkStory. It may be theoretically possible, but it would, as you said be HUGE.

 

I'd love to see them go slightly smaller and about 200lbs lighter for the next iteration. But it's more likely that the Z will put on another 100lbs instead, considering Nissan's trend with their vehicles. 2007 base model is already a fat porker at 3339 lbs. I'll be very disappointed if the coupe model balloons to 3500 lbs. At that weight, what's the point of it being a 2 seater?

 

more horsepower maybe a v8

 

Exactly. The mindset of some of these people amaze me! Unless the Z goes turbo with a smaller displacement (like the Silvia's 2.0L), it will always remain heavy. This is the nature of NA cars.

RBull - the engineers have to reinforce the engine to compensate additional displacement. This will inevitably add more weight, but not at a linear scale like you misinterpreted me.

 

Okay, now we're getting on the same page. Weight reduction of 200 pounds is definitely possible. I was actually looking for engine weights and not the car weights since those are easily obtainable. (I own an '04 G Coupe 6mt. so am pretty familiar with the G.) I was one of those hoping for a lighter car but didn't really expect it knowing they were adding to the luxury theme.

You're right, lighter weight does most likely mean additional cost. The lighter Z competition I referred to (Z4M and Cayman) are significantly more expensive too, consistent with that same light weight = higher cost theory.

Not so sure what you mean exactly by reinforcing the engine but generally speaking yes bigger displacement & higher compression = stronger components. Heavier - almost certainly but we'll need to find that out. On the weight I applied the ratio of 200cc = 100 pounds you suggested in a previous post, to two other larger Nissan engines. I'm not sure how that's misinterpreting you but if I did I apologize. The only point I was trying to make is, that was probably an exaggerated estimate of a weight increase for an extra 200cc, when the entire 3.5l engine is in the vicinity of 500-550 pounds. Neither of us know the correct answer of course and I haven't been able to source it anywhere. Until then I guess we'll have to wait.

What I think we agree on is there won't be weight savings from a bigger displacement engine. Therefore weight loss has to come from other parts components/design or reduced vehicle size and at higher cost.