From Performance to NISMO

[NismoNed]

For those who have not driven the Auto do not sell it short. Far better driving experience IMHO. I own a Sport automatic which comes standard with the NISMO exhaust. Sounds great moves right along.

+1 on this. My 3 previous cars were all dual clutch cars. The auto in these cars is no slouch and I think it’s drawn some unfair criticism since it’s not a true dual clutch and it isn’t a ZF. But in Sport + my Nismo shifts just as fast as my Audi S4 did.

Personally, I find the auto in Sport + just as engaging as any manual, and if I want to put it in auto, I have the option. Which to me, creates the best of both worlds. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[FSUZ33]

Not sure about the Perf, but with the NISMO, Welcome to the fantastic world of endless brake dust. I removed my wheels, meticulously cleaned and ceramic coated, drove to work the next day and the barrels of the wheels were already brown. 16 miles, normal driving, no traffic, minimal lights. Just a 30 min stroll. It's bad. My one real complaint. And there are almost no aftermarket pads out there.

Another thing is aftermarket compatibility. If the fitment just says " '23+ Nissan Z" you need to dig deep and read every word in descriptions, and if unsure, ask the company for fitment. Granted, this isn't necessary for every little thing, but it surprised me...like the undertray.

Two recent examples...
Mishimoto oil can. I had to make a spacer, modify and bend the bracket, but made it work. The NISMO has a coolant line on the driver's side the other models don't have.
Z1 lower front chassis brace. I wasn't really gunning for this, just browsing, and noticed it bolts on, but the NISMO has a cover underneath that must be removed to make it work.

In the scheme of things, not an issue, but can be a pain. Hopefully the longer the Z is out the more specific companies will be with compatibility.

I do have coilovers on the list. Maybe. Maybe not. One I'm looking at is the HKS Hipermax S. It's supposed to be the same as the stock rate (12F/11R, divorced), but I'm not sure if the stock rates have been formally confirmed. I noticed the Hipermax S for the 370Z is quite a bit cheaper. I assume because the 370's a bit lighter, the spec on those is 10F/9R, divorced. Assuming fit is identical and stock is 12F/11R, I'd suspect the 370Z Hipermax S would provide a little smoother ride in the RZ34.

I've only driven the NISMO, so I have no frame of reference. Because you drove a Perf for a while (MT or AT?, can't remember), I'm interested to hear more long-term pros and cons between the two.

Cheers!

 

[raceheart]

Congrats!
How's the ride compared to the Performance? Some reviewers make it seem like it is too harsh. I like stiff suspensions but if it is going to loosen the fillings out of my mouth, I may pass. I only street my cars.

 

[FSUZ33]

Congrats!
How's the ride compared to the Performance? Some reviewers make it seem like it is too harsh. I like stiff suspensions but if it is going to loosen the fillings out of my teeth, I may pass. I only street my cars.

I'm interested to hear know as well.
I remember a review calling the '03 Track "kidney jarring." I replaced stock springs with slightly higher rate and progressive springs...not realizing it would push me from "Stock" to "Street Prepared" at autoX...and It was about the same ride as my current NISMO. Damping's noticably better though. I've driven stiff cars for 22+ years, so it is what it is for me.

Come to think of it, I did pass my first kidney stone not long after I got my '03
Oh well. It's been worth it!

 

[Nis Mo Z]

Any Cons? at this point, the only thing that could come to mind is probably the ride being "too stiff" for some. The AT issue? well, I actually came up with a solution for those of us who love to drive manual transmissions. By releasing our hands from the steering wheel in order to shift the "pedal", we would basically be driving manually. The distance is shorter, of course, but instead of only using one finger or two, by doing the whole movement, we will start to appreciate this set up more.
Other difference? the car's personality... it is really a track car that has been made drive-able for the streets. That is of course, as long as one uses one of the sport modes. I would say that for the streets, the regular sport mode would suffice. But for the track (which I haven't done yet) the sport+ would be the obvious choice.
What has impressed me the most? the cornering and steering response; (just what I would expect). I have taken some curves with this one that I wouldn't dare do with the performance. After I got home, I waited a few hours and then went out again to drive it. I could have done this for hours. And there is the issue... I would get in trouble with the law. That's why I think NISMO owners should try a tracking experience at least once.
The biggest drawback? the AT in regular mode... it is an embarrassing piece of crap... if the NISMO didn't have the other sport modes, I would not own one. Plain and simple.

I agree, if it wasn't for the sport modes count me out!!!!

 

[jc604]

Having tracked my car in the performance z 9 speed, both using paddles and letting it shift itself, the shifts r quick n snappy and i never felt that sluggish shift the reviewers were talking about. That being said i really need to test drive the nismo transmission to compare

 

[papozalsa]

I have to say, I can imagine this happening to me. Nismo keeps popping into my mind.

Not to me, I love my 24 Performance 6 MT and the color combination of the interior and exterior is about 4%. Plus the money invested and it should be paid off within the next 12 months.

 

[mikecarpage]

Congrats, the only way is up. I have to get used to your new avatar

 

[C89]

Congrats!
How's the ride compared to the Performance? Some reviewers make it seem like it is too harsh. I like stiff suspensions but if it is going to loosen the fillings out of my mouth, I may pass. I only street my cars.

I think it all depends on what you expect from the car. When I bought the Nismo, I expected better cornering and handling, and that's what the suspension delivers. If I wanted comfort, I wouldn't have gotten a Z at all. As OP said, the Nismo is pretty much built for the track.

My other point of reference for stiffness would be my lowered R34 on Teins Super Street coilovers, and the Nismo isn't as stiff as that, and I used to daily that.

 

[CPerdomo]

Not sure about the Perf, but with the NISMO, Welcome to the fantastic world of endless brake dust. I removed my wheels, meticulously cleaned and ceramic coated, drove to work the next day and the barrels of the wheels were already brown. 16 miles, normal driving, no traffic, minimal lights. Just a 30 min stroll. It's bad. My one real complaint. And there are almost no aftermarket pads out there.

Another thing is aftermarket compatibility. If the fitment just says " '23+ Nissan Z" you need to dig deep and read every word in descriptions, and if unsure, ask the company for fitment. Granted, this isn't necessary for every little thing, but it surprised me...like the undertray.

Two recent examples...
Mishimoto oil can. I had to make a spacer, modify and bend the bracket, but made it work. The NISMO has a coolant line on the driver's side the other models don't have.
Z1 lower front chassis brace. I wasn't really gunning for this, just browsing, and noticed it bolts on, but the NISMO has a cover underneath that must be removed to make it work.

In the scheme of things, not an issue, but can be a pain. Hopefully the longer the Z is out the more specific companies will be with compatibility.

I do have coilovers on the list. Maybe. Maybe not. One I'm looking at is the HKS Hipermax S. It's supposed to be the same as the stock rate (12F/11R, divorced), but I'm not sure if the stock rates have been formally confirmed. I noticed the Hipermax S for the 370Z is quite a bit cheaper. I assume because the 370's a bit lighter, the spec on those is 10F/9R, divorced. Assuming fit is identical and stock is 12F/11R, I'd suspect the 370Z Hipermax S would provide a little smoother ride in the RZ34.

I've only driven the NISMO, so I have no frame of reference. Because you drove a Perf for a while (MT or AT?, can't remember), I'm interested to hear more long-term pros and cons between the two.

Cheers!

I modified a few things in my Performance. But for a NISMO, I don't think it's necessary. That's why it's a NISMO. Of course... many, if not most here, would modify a nismo model. But I think mine is perfect the way it is (except for the obvious).

 

[CPerdomo]

Congrats!
How's the ride compared to the Performance? Some reviewers make it seem like it is too harsh. I like stiff suspensions but if it is going to loosen the fillings out of my mouth, I may pass. I only street my cars.

I think it's fine. If you drive it slow and in the normal AT mode, it's almost not noticeable. I can tell you that when I placed the spacers in my performance model, the suspension changed and sometimes it would "bounce sideways"... the only way I can describe it. This one can be daily driven. But if the roads where you live are pretty bad... it may not be a good choice.

 

[CPerdomo]

Having tracked my car in the performance z 9 speed, both using paddles and letting it shift itself, the shifts r quick n snappy and i never felt that sluggish shift the reviewers were talking about. That being said i really need to test drive the nismo transmission to compare

So far I have daily driven it using the sport mode. Not the Sport+. Sometimes the paddles take a little more than desirable for me. I will try the Sport+ for a while and see if that mode is different from the standard Sport. I have also learned that the transmission has to be warmed up in order to give its best performance (another drawback of being AT). Not sure yet. I know that using paddles should be quicker than regular stick shift. But one thing is for sure... MT doesn't have a sluggish feeling at all. That's probably why some of us hate AT.

 

[CPerdomo]

Not to me, I love my 24 Performance 6 MT and the color combination of the interior and exterior is about 4%. Plus the money invested and it should be paid off within the next 12 months.

I loved my 24 performance too. Mine was paid off. That's why I was able to switch. I do miss the MT and color combination. But I can tell you this, I turn around and admire this model more than the previous one

 

[RobotAZ]

Having tracked my car in the performance z 9 speed, both using paddles and letting it shift itself, the shifts r quick n snappy and i never felt that sluggish shift the reviewers were talking about. That being said i really need to test drive the nismo transmission to compare

Paddle shifts are kinda sluggish if the revs aren’t up. When you need it snappy, it’s a lot better.

I believe the car has two either-or maps for the transmission. In Sport mode, you have to drive harder than the Standard map to get it to transform, bo the accelerating and decelerating. There appears to be no in between maps. Obviously this is similar to many other cars, but what’s unique is the dramatic transition and the timing coming out of Sport map while still in Sport mode. The only thing I notice in Sport while putting around is that 9th gear is gone. Otherwise seems to shift just like Standard. However, if it’s pushed in Sport mode it transforms in and out of Sport map.

 

[CPerdomo]

Paddle shifts are kinda sluggish if the revs aren’t up. When you need it snappy, it’s a lot better.

I believe the car has two either-or maps for the transmission. In Sport mode, you have to drive harder than the Standard map to get it to transform, bo the accelerating and decelerating. There appears to be no in between maps. Obviously this is similar to many other cars, but what’s unique is the dramatic transition and the timing coming out of Sport map while still in Sport mode. The only thing I notice in Sport while putting around is that 9th gear is gone. Otherwise seems to shift just like Standard. However, if it’s pushed in Sport mode it transforms in and out of Sport map.

Your assesment is so accurate. I've noticed this. But know I know that if I want a snappier shift, I would have to drive the rpms higher. Thanks for the input.