I'm thinking that the VQ35 will no longer be in Ward's 10 best engines. The 3.5L in the Avalon and the IS350 is giving the VQ35 some stiff competition. The new 3.0L honda V6 reminds me a lot of the DE-K, but better.

 

MOst of the mfgs have abandoned the I-6 due to cost, and the demand for 8 cyl+ vehicles. Case-in-point, even MB uses V6's today. The day that BMW abandons the I-6 is the day we should all consider 4's or 8's, or 10's if we're rich and don't give a **** about energy! So I agree with you, with the V6 arena getting crowded, what does a VQ really bring to the table? It was advanced in 1994, but kinda like big whoop in 2k6. The V6 is another example of application success--we can use physics to prove that a V6 can't possibly be as smooth as an I-6. Why? Because the V6 DOES NOT have secondary balance, just can't happen due to physics. What that means is that a V6 needs counter-balance shafts, meaning more moving parts, more weight, and more friction than a similar I-6. The application part is where the new V6's can churn out so much HP that the HP overcomes the weight and friction.

BMW's Double Vanos system is so correct from a design standpoint, yet the motor only churns out 220 ft. lbs. It takes a lot of low to medium speed driving (trying going through EZPass at 5-8 mph say) to appreciate it. In the Japanese world, 220 ft. lbs. is a wimpy motor. So it takes the rest of the vehicle to make a better overall package.

Long story short, the V6 is here to stay, as long as mfgs are interested in saving money and being able to use the same motor in multiple platforms. What a shame.....

 

It's too bad that mfgs insist on using FWD in most of their cars which rules out having a I6.

The VQ35 was something special in 2001, but isn't all that special today. Nissan seems to be resting on their laurels with the past success of the VQ. They need to come out with a VQ35DE-K.

 

Nissan has been updating the VQ35 about every two years.

 

Not really, more like nissan massaging the HP figures. The 2005 350z and G35 did get updated with even better intake manifolds though. FWD VQ35's get ignored yet again with a $hitty intake manifold.

 

How do u spell VQ40?

 

That's a truck engine that makes no more power than a VQ35, but does make gobs more low-end torque at the expense of NVH.

 

They got different internal parts too so the engine can handle the high revs. FWD VQ's really dont need more power.

 

What internal parts did they change? Rod bolts? Massage the cams little? So the G35/350z have a 7000rpm redline now, but peak power is still only at 6400rpm.

I would have to disagree that FWD VQ's need more power. With the 6th gen, they're hauling around quite a bit of weight. IMO, the 5th/5.5gen are pigs as well. Cars here are getting as obese as we are.

Not only should the FWD VQ's have more power, but it would be nice if they had other features as well. Like cylinder deactivation. Hell, even daimler is doing that now. Direct injection would be nice as well. You would get more power and better mileage.

But Nissan has never given a rat's @$$ about gas mileage either. That's why my 2000 and 1997 maxima only get 26mpg on the highway and the Toyota Yacht (Avalon) gets 31mpg.

Make a VQ with cylinder deactivation, higher compression (12:1), direct injection, and the G35/350Z intake manifold and they'll have another homerun on their hands. Make such a VQ and make a hybrid electric car with it and you'll put honda and toyota to shame.

 

Jim Wolf and Clark Steppler talking about engines over the years and what they think (circa '04) of the VQ. Interesting talk about the twin turbo setup for the Z33 platform.

 

http://www.freshalloy.com/site/featu...-jimwolf.shtml

Is this the article you're talking about?

 

Yea I just forgot to include the link...

Thanks!