How is LED better than HID?
I dont know the specific, just looking for st8 answer..
Is it brighter? more closer to sun color?
doesnt blind incoming cars?

 

LED is better for a number of reasons some of which I touched on in my previous post (small installation size, minimal design space, buld is basically indestructable and practically lasts for ever, etc). Beyond that the following is a list of addition benefits of LED specific headlights over HID's;

* Low power consumption;
* More easily adaptable to future 24 & 48 volt automotive electrical systems;
* High and low beam can be achieved via single bulb with voltage reduction. HID's output at only a single volateg and use either a mechanical 'shield' to reduce light output and placement or a secondary halogen based highbeam specific bulb. This is one reason why there are no HID based DRL systems;
* The light produced is more easilty tailored to a color spectrum that drivers are most comfortable with (yellow/orange) rather than HID's white/blue;
* Multiple LED bulbs would be used together in concert to produce a single virtual beam. By adjusting and or disabling some of these individual bulbs varoius beam patterns can be produced. Further, these patterens can be customized to use a different color and used as a visual command/feedback system for the driver whiel he's driving (!);
* LED's require no 'lightup' time and activate immediately while HID's do not. This is another reason why there are no HID based DRL systems;
* LED panels in the future can be designed to be opaque and/or body color when not illuminated to give the look of a headlight less front end. Stylists love this 'feature'.

...and I could go on and on and on, but I think you get the drift.
HID's are to ISDN as LED's are to DSL.

LED's all around will be the norm in the very near future.

- Janq

 

After reviewing all manner of websites regarding the G35 and its comparison to the STi I decided to touch base with some folks to get a few questions answered from the horses mouth so to speak.

So to start I contacted my local Inifiniti dealer and had the good fortune of doing so on the day the Infiniti parts & service regional rep was on-site. Over the phone and via a very relaible and helpful third party (to be explained in a moment) I secured the following answers to which I could hear the rep respond while on the phone.

The straight dope is that the 'AWD' verison of the G35 Sedan and/or Coupe is at this time is not officially a go.
Now that doesn't meanits not going to happen at some time in the near or far future or at all for that matter. it just means it ain't here today and there is no information toward it becoming a retail offering tomorrow.
So, those of you holding out in hope of such an option in lieu of the STi AWD/DCCD might want to rethink your plan.

I then inquired about the much rumored "Supercharger" option to be offered via NISMO as a 350Z bolt on option that would/might also fit the G35 Coupe & Sedan.
Again, the response was that there is no such option or plan on the books for retail sale at this time. That doesn't mean it won't or will happen at some time in the future though. Again, plan your future purchases accordingly.

I then contacted Steve Millen Motorsports aka 'Stillen' directly and talked with a seemingly very knowledgeable sales & tech support person who answered several ofmy questions regarding the VQ6 engine and 6MT trans combo option of the G35.
Stillen is within final road testing of a bolt-on SUPERCHARGER kit for the VQ6 as installed in a stock 350Z. This kit will be sold retail at $3,795.00 and will require 8-10 labor hours of work to install.
The kit will produce a total (inclusive of base engine numbers) 400 CHP which they have found via dyno testing to output 320 WHP! The kit will be delievered with _everything_ required including new injectors, ECU, intake manifold, everything required to be sucessfull. The supercharger to be used is a 'Roots' type unit manufactured by Magnacharger and will fit entirely underneath the as stock bonnet. Following completion of testing on the 350Z model they will begin adaptation and testing on a G35 6MT whioch has the _exact_ same engine as the 350Z. They expect to have to make zero system modifications but they'll be doing the testing to make sure everything fits and bolts in nice due to the different body designs. That testing is expected to begin in roughly 30 days and require approximately 60 days for testing and analysis.
The 350Z kit is expected to be available for sale early this month (May) while the tested G35 is expected to be complete min June.
Assuming testing goes as expected the 350Z kit wil be sold as the same kit for both the 350Z and G35.

Further, there is currently an intake kit available for $260 MSRP that adds an additional 10HP (dynoed) but the rep was not definitie on the torque numbers so I won't post a value. This kit is neither 350Z or G35 specific as it'll work on any VQ6 motor!
An exhaust package is also available and priced at $1,216.00 MSRP that provides a 16HP gain and again no defintie torque numbers. This package is a _full "dual path" cat back_ system that includes a full length of stainless steel tubes (not plate!) for going back to a one piece set of new cans with two dual esits (a quad). This kit bolts up behind the cats and runs the length of the vehicle and is specific to either the 350Z or the G35 (as they are not the same length). These intake and exhaust packages are in stock today and ready for shipping.

No back to that 'third party' I mentioned earlier.
While on the phone to Rosenthal Infiniti of Vienna, VA I had the very good fortune to end up talking with retail & wholsesale parts counterman 'Derrick' who is a long time enthusiast and tuner who drives and races a Greddy Civic.
Derrick is the gentleman who asked the Infiniti regional rep questions on my behalf (I could hear them tlaking back and forth while I was on the phone).
Further Derrick went ont o mention that in the past this particular dealer has installed and supported aftermarket perfromance equipment for customers _and_ HONORED their factory warranty as long as the parts were installed by their dealer staff.
As of late they had gotten away from doing so but he is looking to start back-up a performance/tuner service within the dealership and is open to tlaking with any current or future customers interested in tuning their vehicles.
Further he plans to touch base with Stillen and form a formal relationship with them to secure their parts for retail sale and/or installation.... <to be continued below>

 

<continued from above>....I asked Derrick about NISMO and any developments they might have with Stillen toward development of a 'factory' offered supercharger. He responded that at this time he is not aware of such an offering whichis contrary to feedback from others (see 6MT.net) but he did say that because Stillen is a Nissan supported aftermarket tuner and that they have been providing Nissan performance products for over a decade it is possible and probable that such a development might be in the pipe line. But if so, it most likely would not be available through Infiniti as they are not tuner oriented (yet!).
And it was then that he dropped the bomb on me. For those of you still with me in reading this post I saved this tid bit for last on purpose as a reward for your diligence.

I asked about the possibility of either remapping the factory G35 ECU to gain the missing HP of the 350Z or possibly swapping a 350Z ECU in its place. Guess what he told me?!!!?!
They boxes and software settings within are "exactly the same"!
In fact he and several Infinit tech's as well as Nissan tech's were curious and compared the two side by side. They are in fact exactly the same externally as well as internally (software). The only difference in fact is the Nissan part number used to identify each. He says that both the 350Z VQ6 and the G35 VQ6 produce the _exact_ same HP and torque numbers at the crank and the wheel. Further, that when dynoed both the 350Z and G35 produce the exact same results!
The fact is that Nissan wanted to market the Z car as being the top dog so for marketing reasons they reduced the stated HP and torque numbers so as not to provide essentially competing twin brothers. Folks, I repeat the 350Z and the G35 have the exact same motor, ECU, trans (6MT) and HP & torque numbers!
There are of course speed differentials due to the 200lb weight penalty of the G35. But that evens out if the Z car driver has a passenger. For the extra 2 seats plus a real trunk, I'm not going to cry about it.

So thats it folks.
If you have any other Infiniti/G35 questions Derrick encouraged me to have you contact him directly at 703.827.2135 and he would be happy to answer your qestions and/or serve your parts needs.

BTW, I want to say that I am not in any way associated or compensated by Nissan/Infiniti, Steve Millen or 'Stillen', Rosenthal Infiniti or for that matter Derrick the really cool & helpful parts counterman. I only called Rosenthal because according to the Infiniti.com dealer lookup form they were the closest to my physical location.

As for me I am just an enthusiast torn between the G35 and STi trying to make an educated decision and sharing information as I learn and proof it to be factual.

Don't hate if you are not into the G35.
Just consider this post as not being for you and don't send me hatermail (PM's) or post stupid stuff like "G35 is for wine tasters".

- Janq

 

Janq..thanks so much for the info

when you say G35, i assume its the coupe (the topic) ... Do their tests include info on the G35 Sedan's motor and ECU? It is rated @ 260hp and was wondering if it has the same dynoed HP as the coupe

 

I bet sedan gonna have 280 soon also..
Maxima has 265 already..

 

I'm sorry for the ridiculously long posts but it was a lot of info to share.

My posts are enitirely oriented toward the G35 Coupe which has been the theme for this thread and my conversations with Stillen is only applicable to the manual 6 speed transmission. They specifically stated that all testing is being done on the VQ6 with 6MT drivetrain. I did not ask about the automatic as I figured anyone even thinking of doing mods and/or comparing to the STi would be allergic to torque converters and 'PRNDL' shift patterns.

- Janq

 

The Maxima and G35 Sedan power limit is well known to be due to the use of a different exhaust manifold (restrictive) and the exhaust setup after the cats are different than the stock 350Z/G35. I'm sure though that someone will come along with a set of headers and a new cat back system as it seems every G35 Sedan owner complains that they want the power of the coupes.

- Janq

 

Janq,

I found out I am severely allergic to torque converters and 'PRNDL' shift patterns when I was 15 years old

G35 is for wine tasters............just playing

 

I was 16 and working for a Subaru, Hyundai, Audi, MG, Jaguar & Porsche dealer when my symptoms began to manifest themselves. After a day of working with slushboxes I would suddenly find myself shiftless, slow to get going and it was at times a bit tough to get my **** out of park.
My dad thought I might have mono, while my mom thought I'd come down with shingles. My younger sister being just as much a smarty pants as I commented that I was "slippin".

Well a short trip to the doctor found that my problem was in fact an allergic reaction to ATF and torque converters. Also he commented that I had problems in the P,R,N,D and L range as well as L1 and L2.
I eneded up with a lifelong prescription of double clutch and a blip of throttle. And a suggestion that I not stay in any one position for too long and to change gears as often as possible.
Also he suggested I keep a tachometer near by to check my revolutions per minute to avoid bogging or worst stalling out.

So here I am 17 years later and still following the good dcotors advice. I still have bouts of shiftlessness but thats only when the wife and kid are around.

- Janq

 

Janq,

More excellent post as always I love it, so informative

I got a few personal opinions, questions..........

My prediction is, even if the AWD option become a reality in the future for the G35/350Z, it would be for utilitarian purpose only (As in the case in the AWD system currently offer for the V35 sedan in the Japanese market). It will never be performance oriented like the one on the WRX STi. If Nissan ever offer a performance oriented AWD system in the North American market, it will be offer in the next generation GTR. And if the next generation GTR ever become reality, its price range will be double the MSRP of the WRX STi.

Question on the Stillen Supercharger kit. My guess is the $3,795.00 price on the kit does not include the intake kit and the cat. back exhaust system. And the 320 WHP figure is tested with the intake and exhaust system. So in order to get the 320 WHP a total of $5271 is require in parts. Is my assumption correct?

The drivetrain/ECU in the G35/350Z is the same is not surprising. What I don't understand is, since the 350Z have a shorter wheelbase with a carbon fiber driveshaft, the Z should have a higher dyno figure due to less drivetrain loss. But sounds like this is not the case. Any insight on this?

For me, the STi is the clear winner. As getting 320 WHP from the STi is only a few bolt on away........... But again, it is all personal preference.

 

which bolt will get u 320 from STi?

 

Even though the STi will be pretty highly tuned from the factory already, but any factory Japanese car have lots of limitation. Mainly noise and reliability.

But since it is a large displacement turbocharged engine. By doing all the regular/normal bolt on upgrade should up the power quite a bit easily by sacrificing noise and reliability slightly. Normal bolt on I mean:

Open element intake filter
Equal length header
larger diameter cat. back exhaust (how big depends on how much noise and turbo lag you can stand)
larger intercooler (Front or top mount)
Mild cams, adjustable cam gear
Programmable ECU with boost controller
Carbon fiber driveshaft
Carbon clutch with light weight flywheel
underdrive aluminum pulley
Higher flow rate fuel injector and fuel pump if necessary (depends on when the factory parts run out of juice)

Turn up the boost a few psi, dyno tune the car perfectly on a chassis dyno. 320+ WHP should be easily obtain with factory driveability since the stock turbo are retain. The Vivid racing EVO is getting 270 WHP with just a cat. back exhaust and turn up the boost slightly with a boost controller, before ECU tuning. So all the above parts probably get you to mid to high 300 WHP.

 

same drivability? meaning: no jerkiness it ride, no turbo kicks, etc?

My 1.8T jetta chipped was one jerky ride..

 

How good the drivability is all depends on how good the car is tune and the quality and spec of the parts you pick.