High Horsepower Applications?
07-05-2007, 08:22 AM
#1
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High Horsepower Applications?
Something that's been on my mind for quite a while now is this : when it comes to pushing high horsepower and torque numbers, which engine is best suited? The VG30DE, or the VQ35DE? I had always thought that the Z32 was inevitably capable of drastically outdoing the Z33 after heavy modifications had been performed on both. Am I correct to say that? As we all know, the Twin Turbo Z32 is faster than a Z33 from the factory, but the Z33 is faster than a non-turbo Z32. The VQ35DE has a greater displacement, and generally shows higher numbers than the VG30DE, (220 hp vs. 306). Of course, a Twin Turbo Z32 ends up between 300 and 310 hp from the showroom, right? Generally, what I'm saying is that I'd like to know which engine is better suited to more power.
07-05-2007, 08:43 AM
#2
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To what end?
is the answer going to affect wether you buy a Z32 or a Z33?
Are you actually planning on dumping 60K+ into either motor?
The VG30DETT is pretty much set to be modified further just by being a turbo motor. The VQ35DE requires a little more modifying from the start because it's NA. The potential for both is great and many have squeezed out hundreds of hp past their stock form.
So the answer to your question is both engines are best suited. The determining factors are in your hands really. Which one do you want to go with and how much money do you want to spend? Those are the eternal racing questions.
is the answer going to affect wether you buy a Z32 or a Z33?
Are you actually planning on dumping 60K+ into either motor?
The VG30DETT is pretty much set to be modified further just by being a turbo motor. The VQ35DE requires a little more modifying from the start because it's NA. The potential for both is great and many have squeezed out hundreds of hp past their stock form.
So the answer to your question is both engines are best suited. The determining factors are in your hands really. Which one do you want to go with and how much money do you want to spend? Those are the eternal racing questions.
07-05-2007, 02:04 PM
#4
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Originally Posted by snwbrderphat540
also
VQ= alluminum block (weak)
VG= cast iron block (almost invincible lol)
VQ= alluminum block (weak)
VG= cast iron block (almost invincible lol)
BINGO. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people crack VQ35DE blocks.
442rwhp @ 9psi did this...
With that said, though, stock internaled nonturbo to nonturbo, the VQ35DE will make more power. It has larger displacement and less rotational mass (it has fewer moving parts than the VG30DE), which allows it to make more power and rev much more freely.
However, if you were to build both engines from the ground up, keeping stock displacement, the VG30DE is capable of handling more power just by virtue of being cast iron. At some point, the softer metal is going to catch up to the VQ35 and it's going to self-destruct. I have NEVER seen a VG30DE crack.
In fact, Russel's car (the owner of Z1 motorsports) did 1051rwhp and the heads started separating from the block because the head bolts weren't thick enough and actually stretched, but the block was just fine.
Last edited by ZLover4Life; 07-05-2007 at 02:07 PM.
07-05-2007, 04:18 PM
#7
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Originally Posted by NismoPick
There's a vid on the interwebnet of a guy spraying w/ his 350z... blows the shiz outta his block on the track. Oil & parts everywhere. 
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0ssyg_1MnL8
The kid's dad owned a Nissan dealership and gave him that 350Z...
07-05-2007, 04:19 PM
#8
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Whether or not I'm going to dump that kind of money into it isn't even the question, lol. I was just curious. And, being curious paid off, because I learned that the VG30DE is a cast iron block, while the VQ35DE is an alluminum block. I suppose that one of the reasons for me asking is my current situation. I'm stuck in a decision between the Z32 and the Z33. I'm not someone that will put anything crazy into the car, but then again, I'd like it to be friendly to healthy modifications. My likings toward the Z32 / Z33 are 80 / 20. The Z32 is an innovative, powerful and classy machine. We all know that its high pricetag was its inevitable downfall. Meanwhile, the Z33 is more like Nissan's way of lowering their standards and meeting with the needs of their consumers. It has less driving technology included in its design than the Z32; for example, HICAS was removed, among other things. Plus, as we've just discussed, it doesn't use a cast iron block like the Z32 does. Of course, I'll be honest. I'm eighteen years old, going into college. I'd like to have a Z that will satisfy me, but meanwhile not be an incredible and endless amount of labor for me. Everyone's telling me to go with the Z33, because the Z32 is time consuming in that it's not as reliable, due to the fact that it's older. Not only that, but a big factor in the matter is that I'm taking a personal loan to purchase the vehicle, that of which must be cosigned by my father. He'd prefer me to get the Z33, because it's a great deal safer. Even still, my heart remains with the Z32, because it's always been a vehicle I've deeply desired. Which do you guys think would be the more practical choice? Keep in mind that I'll be doing some modifications to it in the near future.
07-05-2007, 05:21 PM
#9
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Practical? We're talking sports cars here, they're toys and therefore never practical.
The 300ZX will break. If you treat it good, it won't break often, but it's inevitable. The 350Z won't break (nearly as much at least) and is probably under warranty when it does.
Needless to say, the 350Z is going to have a much higher initial cost, being a newer car, but it won't have the potential downtime that a 300ZX can have (and when they break, it does take a while to fix because it is a complicated car).
If I were in your shoes, I'd do exactly what I did. A 300ZX TT and some other reliable beater. The 350Z simply doesn't compare in build quality (sit in a Z32, then a Z33 and tell me which one is nicer) or style, and that's why it costs less than the Z32 did when it was new.
So my $0.02: 300ZX TT + Geo/Honda/Toyota something. It'll cost less than the 350Z, the TT will outperform it, will make more power dollar for dollar, and the Geo/Honda/Toyota thing that you get will be more reliable than both while getting better gas mileage on cheaper-than-premium gasoline.
The 300ZX will break. If you treat it good, it won't break often, but it's inevitable. The 350Z won't break (nearly as much at least) and is probably under warranty when it does.
Needless to say, the 350Z is going to have a much higher initial cost, being a newer car, but it won't have the potential downtime that a 300ZX can have (and when they break, it does take a while to fix because it is a complicated car).
If I were in your shoes, I'd do exactly what I did. A 300ZX TT and some other reliable beater. The 350Z simply doesn't compare in build quality (sit in a Z32, then a Z33 and tell me which one is nicer) or style, and that's why it costs less than the Z32 did when it was new.
So my $0.02: 300ZX TT + Geo/Honda/Toyota something. It'll cost less than the 350Z, the TT will outperform it, will make more power dollar for dollar, and the Geo/Honda/Toyota thing that you get will be more reliable than both while getting better gas mileage on cheaper-than-premium gasoline.
07-06-2007, 11:16 AM
#11
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well, Fairly Z, if you would of stated all that in your first post, you woulda saved me from my long winded post.
i 2nd, ZLover4Life's suggestion of a used TT and a beater car. Drive the beater daily, save the Z for cruising. The way prices for gas are nowadays, a 4cyl beater is almost a requirement. Then there's winter, you don't want to be driving a Z in any kind of snow.
i 2nd, ZLover4Life's suggestion of a used TT and a beater car. Drive the beater daily, save the Z for cruising. The way prices for gas are nowadays, a 4cyl beater is almost a requirement. Then there's winter, you don't want to be driving a Z in any kind of snow.
07-06-2007, 11:42 AM
#12
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Originally Posted by Riz Z Speed
you don't want to be driving a Z in any kind of snow.
.but yeah, i would not suggest a z for someone in college. especially if you have to take out a loan for it. neither is a "practical" choice as you put it. debt is easy to make, and hard to get rid of. buy the z when you can pay cash. ok, personal finance 101 over.
if i overlook the financial angle, i would suggest the z32. i prefer most everything about the z32 over the z33. also, its the little things, like the minimal use of cheap hard plastic in the z32 interior Vs. the abundance of it in the z33. BUT, i would make sure you have about $2k set aside for the inevitable repair needs that pop up.
07-06-2007, 03:25 PM
#16
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Originally Posted by Riz Z Speed
or he could go the NA route for his first Z.
just so happens i know someone who's selling one.....
just so happens i know someone who's selling one.....
just so happens I know someone who's selling one... $4500 but needs a new wiring harness.
07-06-2007, 03:32 PM
#17
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Originally Posted by hoov100
yes, the NA auto's are probably the most reliable z's made.
07-07-2007, 04:12 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by entropy31
i must disagree on the auto part in the reliability category. auto trannies in Zs have historically been trash, whereas the manuals tend to be all but bulletproof.
07-08-2007, 07:09 PM
#20
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ummmm.... auto trannies are S#!t in all cars IMHO. theres to much crap way inside them to go wrong, are heavy, rob power, and are so much mor expensive. manual trannies have nothing but gears in them. sweet and simple.
07-08-2007, 08:51 PM
#24
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I never rebuilt either
Not something I ever want to attempt. <-- (rebuilding any trannie)
If you are worried about INSURANCE on a z33, (cause its the second or third most crashed car in america) Just get an infinity G35, its near the bottom of the list as far as crashed and probably cheaper to insure.
If you are worried about INSURANCE on a z33, (cause its the second or third most crashed car in america) Just get an infinity G35, its near the bottom of the list as far as crashed and probably cheaper to insure.
