1.8....sentra
5.7....titan/armada


the 4.0 is already used in the new Frontier, the New Xterra, and the New Pathfinder (not armada)....do they really need to go and be putting it another?

 

Actually the 04 Maxima is Nissans newest car, the 350 if it does see the 4.0 in its current body will be in 05/06 toward the end of its cycle. Its similiar to what they did in the 70's with the 240Z and 260Z similiar body(bumper changes,light etc.) just a larger displacement

 

I am not sure on the 1.8L... but the V8 is obviously a new engine, and they could be using it in other cars soon. I am not sure.

But anyway, they dont have a choice when they want to get in the full size Truck market. They just have to use a V8. Now it will be interesting to see what else they do with it.

Keep in mind the best strategy for them, which they have been following is to have a I4, a V6 and a V8.

X

 

Sorry for the confusion, I just meant new as in hadn't been seen in the last 7 years, but like you said anything happening to the Z will be toward the end of the 350's cycle, but I think it would be more like 06/07 since it came out in 2002. Vehicle cyles are usualy 4 1/2 to 5 years.

 

why does the z need a bump in hp to stay "fresh". there are no new cars to compete with it. rx8 already has lower performance. the supra is canceled and so is the rx7.

 

How does upping the horsepower in your flagship sportscar change the essence of the car? If anything, Z fans and owners would expect Nissan to up the ante in response to all the competition moving towards 300 hp and up.

 

Because 2 years ago there was a waiting list for Z's with big markups. Today I drove by the dealer and there were about 15 in the front. Ideally, they would run the 350Z bodystyle for 7 or 8 years, and update it two, maybe three times with significant changes.

X

 

One thing is for sure; we are in the midst of a horsepower war that rivals the 60’s. That being said horsepower will go up until the Insurance Companies and the Federal Government stop it. The Z will have to follow…when I don’t know.

 

do you expect a waiting list for a car during its entire model generation? there were waiting lists because it was a new car. obviously there's more demand the first my of a heavily anticipated model like the z. a hp bump is not warranted for 2005 since there is no real competition in the Z's class right now. evo and sti are not sports cars and a hp bump would not bridge the gap to their performance anyway. i believe the z has been the best selling sports car over the past two years.

 

No I dont expect it, but my point is if they can, they will. I believe there will be a HP rating change by 2006. It is totally within Nissans character.

 

i have an even better idea for nissan .. why dont they put in the nissan patrol engine (TB48DE)... its a inline 6 4.8 with 280hp at the crank and thats on a large 4x4 it would prob be 320 on a lighter car such as the z

 

How long was the VQ30 JUST in the maxima? I wouldnt be suprised if the 4.0 is only for trucks. Won't rev as high as the smaller engine due to the stroke. 4.0 is TOO big for FWD cars like the maxima and altima, 255hp is already borderline... the 4.0 may just be designed for torque applications.

 

The dont have to necessarily swap the engine to gain some HP. I imagine they could stroke some more out if they needed to. In fact, an easy path they might take is just throw some of the Nismo boltons and an ECU change and make it an option.

X

 

Its not uppin the horsepower in the car, I didn't disagree with that; you misread my reply. The current 350Z should be competitive and increase the horsepower. However, I was talking about changing the engine in the car. If you change the engine mid-cycle the car ceases to be a 350Z; which Nissan has flaunted as their flagship car even before it came out. Changing the displacement in the current Z makes it a whole new car.

 

There is absolutely no reason they could not change the engine. They dont have to change the name just because they change the engine. Thats just silly, particularily if the bottom end doesnt change.

X

 

Xeinth, my friend, it has become painfully obvious that you don't work in the auto industry! Nissan is now bound by the liter-name designation for the Z whether they like it or not. The reason for the Z was to signify a resurrection from the ashes...they chose to go back to the car that made their name (actually Datsun then) 30 years ago. It's a real pain in the a$$ to work on car platforms that are "icons," because you can't change them much without pissing off your customer base.

I can almost guaranty you that this 4.0L will not show up in the 350Z. For one, it's a truck engine...a whole different ballgame from sports car engines. Second, the larger displacement will make the car even heavier and it's already criticized for being "porky." Why would they add more weight to a car that's in the same class as the feather-weight S2000? Third, the Z has the highest HP rating in the class...why make more power? More power means it will cost more, and that means that it's no longer in line with the original 240Z and 280Z image.

Finally, the 350Z is squarely competitive in the mid-range sports car class. Why would they make major changes to a car that really doesn't need it? And why would they make design changes to a "flagship car" that has its design elements spread throughout the rest of the Nissan line?

The only major change I can see for the 350 is AWD. It's kissing-cousin, the Skyline (a.k.a G35), has gotten AWD here in the U.S. I would expect Nissan to "pull this rabbit out of the hat" if the competition becomes fierce, or if Z sales start slumping.

 

ditto; it's exactly what archman350z said.

 

The 3.0 VQ was used in the Max only from 95-00 so 6 model years Maxima only in the US. In late 2000 the the 3.5 VQ was introduced in the 2001 Pathfinder, so even though the VQ was introduced in 95 in the Max Nissan didnt bother to introduce it into the 300ZX which had 2 model years remaining(they kept the VG in it). The 3.5 will be the mainstay for the Nissan "cars" (Maxima,350 and optional on the Altima) for years to come.

 

i agree i think if there is a big change in 2005, it will be awd or maybe a lighter version of the z. OR something less related to performance, but that addresses a criticism of the z. like maybe they found a way to eliminate the need for the rear strut bar : ). but personally, i don't think there will be a *big* change to the z for MY05.

 

I, too, would like to see a lighter Z or the option of a removable rear strut bar. Yup, it's probably just going to be some little stuff that the critics don't like about the Z.