motor

Sir_GT · 12-05-2004, 03:38 PM

I was browsing through top secret's website just now (topsecretjpn.com) and I saw a black G35 sitting alongside the 350z, and I was wondering which one was the better performance car? I know Top Secret changed the engine of their gold 350z before they tuned, therefore its capable of a shade under 800bhp.

What I was wondering was which one, based on their stock engines and parts, is the better performance car? Which one handles better, and which engine is easier/better/more rewarding to tune?

Highest I've come across from a stock 350z engine was 550bhp... anybody know higher? or the highest from a stock G35's engine?

Sir_GT · 12-05-2004, 06:11 PM

Cool cool. I can't recall the interior of the G35 though... was it a 2+2 or strictly a 2 seater like the 350z?

CSedl87 · 12-05-2004, 06:12 PM

They're pretty much the same. It's like asking if the Golf, A3, or the TT is the better car. They're the same engines, same platform, but the suspension tuned a little bit differently.

Sir_GT · 12-05-2004, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by CSedl87

They're pretty much the same. It's like asking if the Golf, A3, or the TT is the better car. They're the same engines, same platform, but the suspension tuned a little bit differently.

That's not entirely true I think. I've read somewhere that the 350z's engine isn't the same VQ one as the G35's. The 350z's badged VQ, but it was lifted off a Renault, unlike the G35's, which is a true Nissan.

Which is also why I'm wondering how far you could modify the two. Highest I know for the 350 was Top Secret's attempt, but the engine was entirely different (lifted off another Nissan), so I'm curious to see how well the 350's stock engine responds to modifications.

papaSMURF · 12-05-2004, 07:17 PM

damm, if what youre saying is true, the 350z must be the worst car on earth.

i took my friends g35 for a spin for like 30 miles or so, and it felt alright, but WAY too disconnected from the road, every input from the driver felt like it was going through 6 computers and finally making its reaction.

if the 350z is worse i may as well go play gt3 or something to get a better feel for a car.

ZfrkS62 · 12-05-2004, 07:20 PM

And driving it in the rain is like driving it on glass.....

that squirlley feeling has always been inherent to the Z line

i think it's just a standart part of its fun loving character

My 240 was happiest in the rain...or cruising comfortably at 90 on the freeway

ZfrkS62 · 12-05-2004, 07:30 PM

damm, if what youre saying is true, the 350z must be the worst car on earth.

350 has perfect road feel IMO. i drove one a while back and it felt great. the only thing i didn't like was the short shifter but thats just because i wasn't used to it. the G35 is nothing like the 350.

ikon2003 · 12-05-2004, 07:33 PM

both use the same VQ engine from Nissan, so you can pretty much get identical performances out of each. (Greddy makes prolly the most popular twin turbo set for it.) G is 2+2 (either two door or 4 door) and Z is 2 seater only. I've seen a naturally Aspirated Z w/ 475 bhp (owner's claim), and a twin turbo one w/ 550bhp (both street legal... got some pics somewhere of them) Both using NOS too. I know there are some dragster Z's that put 550bhp at the rear wheels (the one i saw snapped two axles trying to put all that power to the pavement).

findleybeast · 12-05-2004, 07:33 PM

Both the Z and the G35 have the exact same VQ35DE engine, the 7hp difference was simply due to inlet and exhaust differences. Infiniti did recently boost the bhp to 298 in the 6MT (six speed manual) G35, but there have been no boosts for the Z as of now.
The interior of Z is nothing particularly special, but I did really like the orange leather sports seats. Seemed to hold well and I thought they looked great.

The Z does have a lower, stiffer, sportier supsension but whether you choose that over the G35 is really personal preference. I haven't driven a G35 yet, so I can't give a comparative view, but I can say I really do like the Z's suspension. Its perhaps a little too rough for my taste in daily driving, but otherwise I haven't found any abrasive faults.

I guess that's my friendly disagreement w/ you Everso, but of course you may have experiences some suspension problem I haven't dealt with. Of course what I am saying is completely subjective as well...

Oh, actually I have had some bad experiences driving on snow w/ the Z

Sir_GT · 12-05-2004, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by everso

Originally Posted by Sir_GT

Cool cool. I can't recall the interior of the G35 though... was it a 2+2 or strictly a 2 seater like the 350z?

the G35 has a small backseat (a little big bigger than the one in my car, yet still very small). The 350z has NO backseat, and on top of it, has this ridiculous "bar" in the trunk.....which takes up the whole trunk.

the interior of the G35 isn't brilliant or anything, but compared to the 350Zs interior, it looks much much better. Less cheap plastic, and more aluminum. It's a bit more conventional, but also a nicer place to be.

driving wise, the G35 simply had a better feel to it. The engine back when i drove it was the 280hp version (compared to the back then 287hp of the Z). Since then, i've heard Nissan has increased the power of both. The suspension on the 350Z is just....frankly awful. And driving it in the rain is like driving it on glass.....the G35 feels much more engaging while driving.

hmmm... you're tempting me to contact an importer

ikon2003 · 12-05-2004, 07:40 PM

- yeah, i agree: orange seats are the way to go w/ the Z... a nice unique option.

papaSMURF · 12-05-2004, 10:11 PM

i honestly dont understand people's fascination with the new z, i like how the interior, but not the interior quality, etc. I know for a fact the g35 COUPE gives false information to the driver (disconnection like said before) and leads to a false security that the car handles better than it actually does (like what you said about them trying too hard to make it feel a certain way, with the 350z that is)

friend who owns the g35 was trying out its capabilities one day but means of a nice drifting around a corner, too bad he thought it was allright to push it that hard, car went into a ditch and totaled it (entire front suspension ripped out, all rear was demolished etc)...

i see why women buy them now, its a fun little car for a good price, but definitlly NOT a sports car, or even a decent lux car. it's "cute" thats why my sister bought one.

gobs3z · 12-05-2004, 10:22 PM

I underestimated the block on the the VQ engine, and i assume a lot of people have. Their 8 sec 350Z surprisingly uses the VQ block,http://www.theexperience.com/index.php.

ZfrkS62 · 12-05-2004, 10:43 PM

friend who owns the g35 was trying out its capabilities one day but means of a nice drifting around a corner, too bad he thought it was allright to push it that hard, car went into a ditch and totaled it

and how much training did your friend have in performance driving? I don't think you can blame the car for it being totalled out. :roll:

findleybeast · 12-05-2004, 10:43 PM

just a note - enthusiast, performance, and touring packages all have traction control and a limited slip diff. only the base package for the 350Z doesn't have traction control.

and even though I seem to be the one defending the Z - if it came down to it, I'd actually go for the G35. The extra 2 seats, plus the trunk space provide enough more useability to sell me. The more toned down exterior and more compliant ride are more of my style as well. Now that the 6 speed comes with added power, there's no doubt in my mind.

On the other hand, if I was going to get a car just for performance and tuning, I'd choose the Z. Even though the G35 6MT comes with 11 more horses, it wouldn't take much to get that power back...