Well it backed up what is on the nissan site so I would say they were pretty accurate on this assessment of intake changes.

 

The collector on the intake is different (peice in between the top plenum and the lower that connect to the head) do not know how different but the part numer is not the same. All the rest like the lower, upper, mass, gaskets etc. are the same.

 

Does anyone else think its pretty sad that nissan redesigned the intake manifold runners, different cams, pistons, etc and its only making that small difference. I bet an 03 to 04 Z compared to a 05 is a drivers race.

 

You would hope they addressed the issue of alignment in the front end. ie: adjustable camber and caster.

 

Hehe, I'll believe it when I see it. If they do, then there might be some people upgrading to the new parts to get that adjustment.

 

too bad neither of those is what causes the tire feathering...it's TOE adjustment...which IS adjustable on EVERY 350Z.

I have an 03...had a PROPER alignment done on it and it doesn't feather tires anymore.

 

Same thing here...it did take a couple of wheel alignments to get it right though.

 

The differences are small only on the paper, hp figure and torque difference where most people look at. The actual differences are pretty big. Higher RPM, wider usage powerband, and with addition of CVTC on exhaust side, the engine should be alot more responsive, and power curve should be smoother and better, but we need to wait and see the dyno result to really see what's going on.

I do agree the it's a driver's race between 03, 04 and 05 due to the less of the torque if you were talking about straight line performance. On the race course, with same driver, I would say the 05 track model should be faster than 03 and 04 track model.

 

I'm not concerened about the feather problem as I have never had that issue. My concern is that there is no adjustment in the front to fine tune the Z. eg: My caster is not the same LH/RH from factory !!

 

I agree with the comment on exhaust side CVTC on the new Z is an amazing benefit. Is this the first nissan to do this cause if I remember correctly both toyota and nissan has mainly used intake valve timing only with honda being the creator of intake/exhaust timing control with its VTEC system.

 

acutally Toyota does utilized timing control of intak/exhaust. Howeverm that engine didn't make it to the state. It's the engine in Altezza (JDM IS300) it' use a 2.0 liter engine with Dual VVTI. the Latest version of 3S-GE.

 

at any rate seems they did spend a lot of money for such a small gain especially since we're in the midst of a global horse power war...maybe next year will be the kicker

 

Or maybe the new engine is just underrated.....

 

I'm thinking that although the actual numbers aren't much diff, it could be that now with revised pistons, cams, etc, that now the engine is stronger and more tunable with a greater margin of safety.

My 2 cents.

 

I doubt it...

 

Here's the 300hp motor changes from nissan themselves:

The 2005 35th Anniversary 350Z (with 6-speed manual transmission) and
2005 350Z Track model are both available with an enhanced performance
version of the 3.5-liter V6. Horsepower is rated at 300 hp @ 6,400 rpm –
exactly double that of the original Z®. Torque is 260 lb-ft, versus 148 on the
240Z. Modifications made to achieve 300 horsepower include strengthened
connecting rods and bolts, double-mass crank pulley, strengthened valve
springs, revised shape of the piston head, new camshaft profile, remapped
Electronic Control Module, the addition of valve timing control to the exhaust
cam, modified intake with shorter and wider runners, revised oil pan baffling
and more. The redline has been increased to 7,000 rpm.

When you compare these specs to the Japanese 350Z GT model, with the 300hp Nismo S1 motor, they are almost identical.

 

Hey Art Vandaleigh, when is your track suppose to be in?

 

Ive had it ordered since September 2nd, and they've told me december... then january... now "sometime in february". They are pretty much clueless but im getting a bit frustrated that its taking so damn long. Not like ill be driving it much until march anyway, its 6 degrees outside here in lovely cleveland area ohio lol.

 

i was face to face with a 2005 in the DC auto show...i popped the hood and looked at the intake...i couldn't tell any difference...the box is the same...the tube is the same from an eye view....i couldn't tell about the plenum or lower plenum...saying i couldn't just whip out my 10mm ratchet and start unbolting stuff the guy eventually came over and told me i couldn't have the hood open...i was then shut down...but i really couldn't tell the difference...

Ben Y
AAM