I just purchased the book "Nissan 350Z - Behind the resurrection of a legend" from bn.com for $24.95.

Interesting quote on pg 47 of the book. Joel Weeks, who heads product planning for the Z car for Nissan states " Even with the great design we have, we think we are looking at a peak for this sports car design....maybe 2-3 years of great sales, but to be honest from a business standpoint, letting the volume drop off a bit towards the end until we refresh the the car again. We are planning a good mid-life cycle, throw in some hp, whether it is N/A increased or even some forced injection. But we are making sure-looking at the past, what Porche & BMW have done with their sports cars-that we keep them fresh to try as best as possible to keep the volume up."

 

It probably would help if they could get an even 300 HP at the crank. People look at me so funny when I say it has 287 HP, lol. Very odd number.

 

probably going to be the Nismo Z... with all the nismo parts...

 

So they'll throw us a bone whenever they feel like it, they're such rascals

 

I would rather it was a number like 287hp rather than an even number that is lower. The reason is that I think they really tired to pull as much hp as they could out of the VQ35 motor (within reason of time limitations and durability as well as budget) thus coming up with 287hp. Think about it, aftermarket companies are having a hard time improving hp on the exhaust etc even though they are not limited as much by noise levels and cost. Nissan did their homework. Some conplain that the VQ is not mod friendly but Nissan had to make a profitable Z for it to be built by direct order of the CEO. This forced them to use the VQ motor they already had. It also made the Z start out at under $30K which is key to its success.

My hope is when/if they increase the hp that they maximize it as a NA car or a FI car and do not settle for something like 350hp if they can make it 254hp. Let performance overide marketing!

 

I know you mean 354 HP here, heh.

Yeah, I agree with your point, and wouldn't want it to be the lower figure. Gets you to thinking about FI in the future for this car from the factory, been done before, unsucessfully. Plus, they would have to make 400 HP to make it competive with the Z06, for that added price you know it would cost. Who knows what they will do, but my bet is on staying NA from the factory, and MAYBE Nismo doing something FI (although doubtful).

 

My bet would be if they go FI, it would be SC because of cost to manufacture. I know many of you would argue TT because of history of Z FI. I would argue the only real successful history of the z is to keep it performance orieted at a price below the competition.

Some people thought the Z had to be a straight 6 cyc because it had been from 240 to the 280. That was because the took the 4 cyc 510 motor and lenghten it out to make more hp for the Z at a cheap price. Now, they use the VQ V-6 because it was again cheap to convert that motor from an exisiting motor platform to the Z to get performance.

Nissan has SC'ers in their history. I feel they would select SC or TT if they can get hp that will be delievered cheaper than the competition. TT might push the car too high in price. The 300TT only sold in the hundreds in its last year. As nice of car as it was, it was not profitable. The Z must make money to survive.

 

That's what I think too. That'll be the cheapest thing for them to do because they already have all the parts now they just have to put them together. They might add the US spec of the Nismo ECU upgrade. They would probably make it a package deal where you have to shell out $5-6 g's more for it. Just speculation...

 

I agree, either Nismo or SC. The TT could be a beast but how profitable would it be after manufacturing cost are considered? If they put out even 400hp at the crank it would be a player in todays market.

I would love to see it just to see Porche sweat a little more. I know they are already sweating with the Boxster now that our Z's are sellling and performing so well. This is great for all sport car owners!

 

Supercharging or TT is not the way to go. The 350Z would go the way of the 300ZX TT to complex and expensive. The way to go would be to put a V-8 in the Z. They already have a 345 HP, V-8 and could easily up the power in this engine. The price would be a lot more reasonable than the above and you would keep an NA engine. I do not know why they would not consider this option.

 

More Torque would be nice..

 

Ok I know this sounds kinda unorthadox, but why doesn't Nissan follow some of Fords ideas. They can make a high powered car in a limited form like the Cobra and just sell those. A small amount of production will not hurt there business. It may even help them. A SVT type branch maybe in conjuction with NISMO would be something to think about. I don't know I am just throwing ideas, but all I know is that SVT has helped ford out a bit with there business.

 

WTF is forced injection?


Injecting more fuel against the engine's conscious assertion? Would that count as a rape? People could go to court for that!

On a serious note, that slip up reduces this guy's credibility IMO.

 

what are you talking about???

 

nissan will never put a V8 in the z its not in the Z DNA ( blood)

there if a market for a 350Ztt or SC, the supra will be out soon for one, then that will force mazda to pull its guns RX7, the second reason is that there are so many sport cars that are selling now for over $30k, you see them all the time on the road, take the crossfire of example dam thing starts at $38k msrp.

they could add it to the the tt or the SC to the performance and drop the track, it should be right around $38k, or still offer both. or they can make a limited amount?

we are not living in 1996, times have change more people can afford to buy a $30-50K car.

so you think Nissan is just going to discount the GT-R when it gets here to keep sales up , that is a 50K car, say there isn't a market for it, because once it gets here I'm dam sure who ever wants one will find money or make the money to get it.

in ten yearsfrom now there might not be a new car that you can buy for 15K. my bad I forgot about kia

that my opinion oh yea i hope nissan do release a 350zTT with 350hp to stand up to its name

 

Did you read the quote?

induction, not injection. You figure the head of the Z project in the US would know at least that much.

 

ooo, I thought you were mocking someone that posted that, but saw no actual post by a member that asked that so I was confused, my bad...

 

My error, I posted this right before walking out the door to go to work and did not catch the error until it was too late to edit the post. It is forced induction and I am sure Joel Weeks knows that.

If you want to flame me go ahead (if it makes you feel better about yourself). My intention was to share information about the book and the idea Nissan is considering a hp upgrade per that quote.

Jeff

 

Zland brings up a good point... and "food for thought" -- since everything is pure speculation.

I read that quote before.

My take is... Nissan is stretched to the limit on new car/SUV/minivan introductions.. and production. Engineering is really at its limit from what I have read.

The Z was the new Nissan sizzle to get people excited and in the showroom. Next sizzle stick is the new GTR -- and that where the muscle and ponies will be put -- my guess per what I have read... VQ30 TT.

After the GTR is finalized and production gears up.... attention will return to the Z to spark it up in light of the oncoming competition to include the Supra and Honda S2200 which is also projected to have a hardtop offering.

Until that happens... I think Nissan will let NISMO handle any HP or performance upgrades for the Z -- all N/A... no SC or TT.

That's my 2 yen... but in this case -- any opinion has equal value since it is all conjecture.

 

Heres a thought what would be wrong with nissan adding boost to the base model Z? It probably would be under $34,000, i know people NEED all that other stuff.