FR-S vs. 370z, end all be all of discussions

[Lonewolf]

From outside the car the 370z sounds good (Behind the exhaust). Inside the car is another story, the motor is quite unrefined in its sound.

[Snoopyalien24]

Originally Posted by Dimman

There are a few of us here that think the VQ sounds awful. Can't say the FA sounds like heaven but it is better than the VQ imo.

But coming from a 1JZ with Apexi intake and N1 muffler, few motors (and none I can afford) impress me.

SR20DET is one of the cheap good sound 4 bangers out there

[TuxedoCartman]

Originally Posted by justaquestion

I can't believe I am just seeing this... Horrible course engine sound?? Are you kidding me? Have you even heard what an FR-S/BRZ sounds like? Its like THE definition of a course engine sound. You are honestly the first person I have seen say that the VQ engines sound bad... Its like the complete opposite of course sounding.

Sorry, but you can put me down as +1 in the camp for not liking the VQ sound. The Z is a great car, and the engine works fantastic... but acoustically, it's like driving a hot-rodded Altima.

[crazyyankeefan]

Originally Posted by TuxedoCartman

Sorry, but you can put me down as +1 in the camp for not liking the VQ sound. The Z is a great car, and the engine works fantastic... but acoustically, it's like driving a hot-rodded Altima.

I drive it every day. I don't find the engine sound disturbing. It sounds better than the i-VTEC of my previous car, RSX. Although, the Z sounds better for the people you drive by than for the driver, which is kinda unfortunate.

[Lytheum]

i love the vq exhaust sound...i even find myself turning my head when an fx35 gets on it.

[AshWilliams]

I drive for a friend's SCCA team. I don't find the 370z to be particularly durable for racing. and recent rules change don't really favor lightening it, either.

it looks good going down the street. and handles well... until the stock brakes fade.

a LOT of teams race miatas. the frs will become the next SCCA miata.

[Primo86]

The Z is a great car, it is powerful, well trimmed, and handels well. As far as comparing one of the FR-S /BRZ twins, you really cant as many people before me have said. A v6 and a 4 cyl. Boxer are hugely different power plants... not to mention the markets.

As far as modifying is concerned, it is always best to start with the best chasis. In this case, the nissan is great, but how can the twins be beaten here? The raw figures; weight, strength, center of gravity, the front-mid-ship engine, weight distribution ...

The only thing other then styling and weight seperating the two cars is power. If the twins had a slightly strengthened chasis, big brakes, and clutch, they could safely handle a lot more power. Drag races aside, the twins are much better suited for racing and cornering... its a tough question however because they are such different cars for such different customers- even if they are both designed for performance

[Embarrassed]

Originally Posted by Primo86

As far as modifying is concerned, it is always best to start with the best chasis. In this case, the nissan is great, but how can the twins be beaten here? The raw figures; weight, strength, center of gravity, the front-mid-ship engine, weight distribution ...

Hmmm.... in light of modern smog laws you should consider that point very carefully for any street car. Suspension mods tend to be cheaper, have a far greater affect in terms of modifying the desired characteristics and most importantly, are covered by very few (or no) laws. No changing back to stock every couple of years, or crossing your fingers that "someone" might get a peak under the hood. Further, they are typically not even even readily noticeable when looking at the car, nor do they affect warranty on the expensive bits of the car.

I have to admit, I wouldnt agree with you even for track cars. Had too many issues in the past with significant power increases. More power causes a viscious chain reaction that's very difficult to get out of.

O

[Primo86]

Originally Posted by Embarrassed

Hmmm.... in light of modern smog laws you should consider that point very carefully for any street car. Suspension mods tend to be cheaper, have a far greater affect in terms of modifying the desired characteristics and most importantly, are covered by very few (or no) laws. No changing back to stock every couple of years, or crossing your fingers that "someone" might get a peak under the hood. Further, they are typically not even even readily noticeable when looking at the car, nor do they affect warranty on the expensive bits of the car.

I have to admit, I wouldnt agree with you even for track cars. Had too many issues in the past with significant power increases. More power causes a viscious chain reaction that's very difficult to get out of.

O

Yeah, these are good points. I live in Philadelphia, there are really no laws regarding modifying cars that are enforced other then exhaust noise and window tinting. I had a GReddy Ti-C catback exhaust on my 05' Celica and never had a problem with police even when i was pulled over a few times for speeding. I only got flak for my window tints, but i was never cited or asked to remove them.

As far as reliability is concerned, this is a battle tuners have all of the time. When modifying any car, the highest quality parts are always the most reliable- and always the most expensive. A general rule of thumb I have learned is to stay off of Ebay- the overload of cheap JDM chinese parts seem cheap and cool, but will end up causing many problems in most cases.

Even the expensive stuff can have problems if it isnt properly installed and tuned-in. This is where a quality shop really makes the difference. If all of your mods were properly R and D and tested in real- world applications, then they should be solid. Reputable companies- GReddy, HKS, JRZ, KW, Nitron, Hotchkiss, etc. usually stand behind their products with warranties and good customer support; which is invaluable when there is a problem during installation.

Honestly, it is all up in the air for me, I want to enjoy the car stock for a while, get to know it, love it, master it- all before i touch it.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Primo86

Yeah, these are good points. I live in Philadelphia, there are really no laws regarding modifying cars that are enforced other then exhaust noise and window tinting. I had a GReddy Ti-C catback exhaust on my 05' Celica and never had a problem with police even when i was pulled over a few times for speeding. I only got flak for my window tints, but i was never cited or asked to remove them.

As far as reliability is concerned, this is a battle tuners have all of the time. When modifying any car, the highest quality parts are always the most reliable- and always the most expensive. A general rule of thumb I have learned is to stay off of Ebay- the overload of cheap JDM chinese parts seem cheap and cool, but will end up causing many problems in most cases.

Even the expensive stuff can have problems if it isnt properly installed and tuned-in. This is where a quality shop really makes the difference. If all of your mods were properly R and D and tested in real- world applications, then they should be solid. Reputable companies- GReddy, HKS, JRZ, KW, Nitron, Hotchkiss, etc. usually stand behind their products with warranties and good customer support; which is invaluable when there is a problem during installation.

Honestly, it is all up in the air for me, I want to enjoy the car stock for a while, get to know it, love it, master it- all before i touch it.

Were not taking about an exhaust our cheap parts here. Its going to take a lot to give this thing 370z power

[jurjurson]

The Z is $40k in Canada. And fr-s is $ 25999.

[frsinpa]

Does anyone else think it's a bit tough to compare 2 cars when the price differential is > $10K?

It makes the comparison pretty tough.

[krakpot_joe]

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...-brz-370z.html

I think they are just jealous about our cars.

[xyos]

I dunno how you can really compare a Z to a FRS/BRZ...

price wise..the base line Z starts at like $33k? and its got what 340 HP vs 200 HP?