Valveman

I have driven about 20 cars recently and all 3 variations. The latest 350Z >2007 I didn't think was as torquey low down as the 276 and 296hp models. Yes, the 2007 Zed may have ultimately more power but it is much higher up the rev range and less accessible for normal road driving. Also it seems a little more docile (maybe more refined) than the 2 earlier zeds. I also did not like the hump in the bonnet of the >2007 model but this is down to personal preference. I went for a low mileage 2006 (296hp) Zed. I thought the few revisions plus the bi-zenons were worth the extra money over the earlier model. P.S. don't forget post April 2006 zeds have the increased road tax (£405per year) - pre 2006 zeds are £215

Nice pics! If I hadn't been working I would have come.

I am right in saying that this is a saving of £100 on this exhaust for the group buy?

Hello I am thinking of buying some eibach wheel spacers for my new 350Z but I am a little unsure what is the best size to go for. One parts supplier recommended 4 x 20mm all round and some on here said 20mm at the front and 25mm at the rear, but I don't want any problems like wheel chaffing inside the wheel arches especially on track days. Any recommendations would be welcome. My car is a 2006 with 296hp motor. Thanks

Any problems with the wheels fouling inside the arches? Anyone tried 25mm spacers?

By all accounts VBH is a bit of a man eater! I know a few guys in the racing fraternity where she has a bit of a reputation, so unless you are super fit..............

Absolutely – I couldn't agree more. Also in the past there have been a number of accidents that have been attributed to people modding their cars and making them unsafe, either by using non OEM parts or the quality of workmanship or lack of it in fitting the parts. I am surprised the insurance companies don't charge more for modded cars.

Thanks Martin

I am interested in the Nismo exhaust having just bought a 350Z. Can anyone give some idea of the cost with the group buy? The Z-store price is what is advertised on their website

Z-store are listing the Nismo at £1349 inc vat. I will be very surprised if you will get this any cheaper by the time you add carriage, import duty and VAT. I will be happy to be proved wrong through

Do you get any rubbing or fouling inside the rear wheel arch with 25's on the back? Also did you notice any improvement in handling?

Cheers Vik.

I might be interested in one

Could someone enlighten me on the Nismo group buy?

+30 bhp!!!! are they having a laugh, probably when they have got your money. Surely the best exhaust is the one that makes the most power without the noise intrusion. Noise out the back is one thing but you don't want a constant drone inside the car as that will get fatiguing during normal driving. Anyone have any experiance with the Milltek exhaust. This has a resonator in the middle pipe to prevent exhaust noise intrusion inside the car.

What sort of improvement can be achieved by this spacer. There are lots of claims about these spacers, however to gain more power you need to burn more fuel and air. To gain any real advantage I would expect a remap would be required to achieve anything like the claims made. Anyone fitted one and noticed any improvement?

This is not the case and more oil will not effect the oil pressure, unless you have very little in the sump. As the engine oil get old, it also gets thinner due to the constant heating up and cooling down - also it absorbs combustion chemicals, therefore there may be a slight loss in pressure over time. Fresh oil will not have any of these defects so the pressure may show as being higher. You are right about the viscosity. If this has changed there may be an effect on oil pressure although I would expect this to be small.

All modern car engines from 2000 onwards have twin overhead cams and 4 valves per cylinder. They need this to meet emission levels and targets.

Thanks for the info Checking Wikipedia and for those interested: VQ35DE The 3.5 L (3498 cc) VQ35DE is used in many modern Nissan vehicles. Bore and stroke are 95.5 mm and 81.4 mm. It uses a similar block design to the VQ30DE, but adds variable valve timing. It produces 231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp) to 302 PS (222 kW; 298 hp) of power and 246 to 268 ft·lbf (334 to 363 N·m) of torque. The VQ35DE is built in Iwaki and Decherd, TN. It was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list from 2002 through to 2007. It features forged steel connecting rods, a microfinished one-piece cast crankshaft, and Nissan's nylon intake manifold technology. It has low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons and the intake is a high-flow tuned induction system. A modified version of the VQ35DE, called the S1, is produced by Nismo (Nissan's motorsports and performance division) for the Fairlady Z S-Tune GT. It produces 300 PS (220 kW; 300 hp) at 7,200 rpm, a higher rev-limit than that of the original VQ35DE. The modified version above I believe is used in the face lifted >2006 cars.

I know when they face lifted the 350Z in 2006 they increased the power of the engine. Does any one know exactly what Nissan did to the engine? Does the engine have variable valve timing etc?

Yes, I think you are right. That's probably why they extended the rev limit to 7500

Drove another 07 296hp Z today and it was definitely torquier and more responsive than the 313hp Z I drove the other day. The engine seemed to run quieter too at idle. Anyway the search goes on.

I am beginning to suspect this 2007 car may have been fitted with a lightened flywheel which would explain a lot. The guy selling it also does drag racing.......... Oh dear!

Good job its not a Porsche. They are £500 per disk.

Thanks Guys