A Great Conversation with Dan Passe on 2023 Nissan Z [Specs, Release, Pricing]

[FBD]

No doubt. My guess is that your dealer meant it can handle 600 bhp reliably, not that a tune alone will get you there, but I wasn't there for that conversation ?‍. Here are AMS's stages and some real dyno results from the Q50 forum. The top 11 might be pushing 600 bhp but that may be a little too generous. Top 6 for sure.

https://www.infinitiq50.org/threads/official-dyno-results-thread.124379/

Yes exactly. And thanks for this! You would not have to do much to really wake this engine up. It also needs an exhaust. I had the Invidia Titanium Gemini system (Blue tips) on the 370Z from new. I was just recently looking into Armytrix with the dual mode with the quiet neighbour mode. Compared to what I spent on the 370Z this is all very doable.

 

[DevonK]

You'd need a stomach for taking risk, though. Didn't Takemorepills find out from his dealer that the turbos on the red sport are subject to needing expensive work even functioning at stock levels?

 

[FBD]

You'd need a stomach for taking risk, though. Didn't Takemorepills find out from his dealer that the turbos on the red sport are subject to needing expensive work even functioning at stock levels?

You are very right. I'd be interested to see if the Z has corrected any of the design deficiencies of the Q50/60. The turbo paranoia was also a cause for anxiety for the Z32 300ZXTT as well.

 

[takemorepills]

You'd need a stomach for taking risk, though. Didn't Takemorepills find out from his dealer that the turbos on the red sport are subject to needing expensive work even functioning at stock levels?

Also, reminder to everyone, Infiniti usually has a longer warranty on their cars. So.....

 

[FBD]

Also, reminder to everyone, Infiniti usually has a longer warranty on their cars. So.....

I could have easily been one of those guys who would rather that Nissan opted to bump things up to a 4.0L NA. More old school grunt and personality. Combined with a manual that would have completely distinguished itself from all the 3.0L Turbos so that even if they had faster numbers the Z would deliver up way more feel. This is why people are still seeking out the analog Boxsters. Pure analog grunt and raw mechanical feel. Wishful thinking. I know.

 

[takemorepills]

I could have easily been one of those guys who would rather that Nissan opted to bump things up to a 4.0L NA. More old school grunt and personality. Combined with a manual that would have completely distinguished itself from all the 3.0L Turbos so that even if they had faster numbers the Z would deliver up way more feel. This is why people are still seeking out the analog Boxsters. Pure analog grunt and raw mechanical feel. Wishful thinking. I know.

I'm not a VQ expert, but without knowing much I'm surprised people didn't make "Frankenstein" motors from combining the VQ40 block with VQ35 or VQ37 heads. I dunno, but maybe it's not as easy with the VQ as the old Hondas we're.

Another thing to keep in mind is that as the VQ gained larger displacement it became less smooth. I've owned all VQ versions and the VQ37 is definitely much less smooth. The old VQ30 was as buttery as any Toyota V6. So maybe that was something Nissan considered and decided against.

 

[takemorepills]

You'd need a stomach for taking risk, though. Didn't Takemorepills find out from his dealer that the turbos on the red sport are subject to needing expensive work even functioning at stock levels?

Here's a good thread on the issue for VR Q50's (Q60 will have same issues): https://www.infinitiq50.org/threads/consolidated-3-0t-turbo-replacement-thread.129663/

Look at the mileage most people had the turbos fail at, just outside of the typical Nissan warranty but within the Infiniti warranty.
Repair costs out of pocket are anywhere between $8k to as much as $12k in Canada.

 

[DevonK]

Well we can only hope Nissan at the first drive briefing provides a reassuring overview of what they have done to address turbo reliability.

 

[takemorepills]

Well we can only hope Nissan at the first drive briefing provides a reassuring overview of what they have done to address turbo reliability.

Well, I didn't see any 2019+ cars in that thread. I didn't look at every page though, but it seems that it only affects through 2018. However, we all know how Nissan handles issues.

Dan Passe did acknowledge my concerns about it, and I suggested Nissan could offer Infiniti warranty on the Z, or better yet, the Titan warranty which goes to 100k. I think standard Nissan warranty is a bit cringey knowing the VR history in the Infiniti lineup.

 

[FBD]

I'm not a VQ expert, but without knowing much I'm surprised people didn't make "Frankenstein" motors from combining the VQ40 block with VQ35 or VQ37 heads. I dunno, but maybe it's not as easy with the VQ as the old Hondas we're.

Another thing to keep in mind is that as the VQ gained larger displacement it became less smooth. I've owned all VQ versions and the VQ37 is definitely much less smooth. The old VQ30 was as buttery as any Toyota V6. So maybe that was something Nissan considered and decided against.

What you've pointed out here makes perfect sense and completely true. The VQ37 was rough and had to grind it to make the power. Having said that, once I had the Stillen 3" stainless front intercooler and pipes on it...it was a completely different machine. But 3.7L was the limit. I just was daydreaming for larger displacement at 4.0L and more personality. Because if that happened the Zupra and Z decision would stand out more. Two totally different approaches.

 

[West Aussie]

Well, I didn't see any 2019+ cars in that thread. I didn't look at every page though, but it seems that it only affects through 2018. However, we all know how Nissan handles issues.

Dan Passe did acknowledge my concerns about it, and I suggested Nissan could offer Infiniti warranty on the Z, or better yet, the Titan warranty which goes to 100k. I think standard Nissan warranty is a bit cringey knowing the VR history in the Infiniti lineup.

I know you wrote it somewhere…but honestly I can’t be bothered to re read the whole thread….so sorry for being lazy, but what is the Nissan warranty in the US
in Aus “all new Nissan vehicles come with a 5-Year Unlimited Kilometre warranty and five years of 24-Hour Roadside Assistance”

But even this is now getting outdone with many brands offering cut price or set price servicing For three to five years.

 

[Donalex]

I could have easily been one of those guys who would rather that Nissan opted to bump things up to a 4.0L NA. More old school grunt and personality. Combined with a manual that would have completely distinguished itself from all the 3.0L Turbos so that even if they had faster numbers the Z would deliver up way more feel. This is why people are still seeking out the analog Boxsters. Pure analog grunt and raw mechanical feel. Wishful thinking. I know.

This is probably going to keep me in my Z32. You can only go so fast in the city, and I'll be saving $50k.

 

[McLovin157]

You are very right. I'd be interested to see if the Z has corrected any of the design deficiencies of the Q50/60. The turbo paranoia was also a cause for anxiety for the Z32 300ZXTT as well.

There we talks of resolving the oil burning issue and cooling issue with the turbos for the Z. I don’t remember where I saw/read it but I know it was touched on

I'm not a VQ expert, but without knowing much I'm surprised people didn't make "Frankenstein" motors from combining the VQ40 block with VQ35 or VQ37 heads. I dunno, but maybe it's not as easy with the VQ as the old Hondas we're.

Another thing to keep in mind is that as the VQ gained larger displacement it became less smooth. I've owned all VQ versions and the VQ37 is definitely much less smooth. The old VQ30 was as buttery as any Toyota V6. So maybe that was something Nissan considered and decided against.

The VQ40 is pretty much dead replaced by the better VQ38 so that would be the platform to build on. And honestly there is no need to frankenstein parts as just boring out a VQ35 or VQ37 is better as the internals are better suited for power gains than that of the VQ40 or 38.

 

[McLovin157]

What you've pointed out here makes perfect sense and completely true. The VQ37 was rough and had to grind it to make the power. Having said that, once I had the Stillen 3" stainless front intercooler and pipes on it...it was a completely different machine. But 3.7L was the limit. I just was daydreaming for larger displacement at 4.0L and more personality. Because if that happened the Zupra and Z decision would stand out more. Two totally different approaches.

Well we can only hope Nissan at the first drive briefing provides a reassuring overview of what they have done to address turbo reliability.

There was an article I read somewhere stating Nissan had addressed the issues with the turbos. Specifically mentioning cooling issues as well as oil burning. Also the 320B0-1EA0A transmission issues with the slave cylinders that have plagued the Z sense the 350Z was also touched on.

 

[takemorepills]

I know you wrote it somewhere…but honestly I can’t be bothered to re read the whole thread….so sorry for being lazy, but what is the Nissan warranty in the US
in Aus “all new Nissan vehicles come with a 5-Year Unlimited Kilometre warranty and five years of 24-Hour Roadside Assistance”

But even this is now getting outdone with many brands offering cut price or set price servicing For three to five years.

Nissan (except Titan, miles BTW) 3/36 bumper-to-bumper and 5/60 powertrain
Infiniti 4/60 bumper-to-bumper and 6/70 powertrain
Titan 5/100 bumper-to-bumper and 5/100 powertrain