Ok. I have a hypothesis: The 2002 will benefit from mods more than previous generations. Here is why-

The previous 3L engine made 222 HP and 217T. That is 74 HP/L and 72.3 T/L. Since the new 3.5L is basically the same design as the 3L, just bored out, it should at least have similar specs, which would be 259 HP and 253T. But it doesn't. It is rated at 255 HP and 246 T.

In fact, the new 3.5L should also benefit from the variable intake and timing, and have even better specs per liter than the 3L engine. At 80 HP/L and 75 T/L, that would be 280 HP and 263 T. And we know that the engine can do this, because it is going to have to do this for the new 350Z.

So.... WHY? Is it because it has more restrictive intake and exhaust systems due to packaging or manufacturing or emissions (multiple cats)? Maybe the ECU runs differently for the sake of lower emissions. Who knows why the numbers are low - it could be many different reasons. But unless it is something major like redesigned cam profiles or similar, the engine should have the "ability" to produce more HP and T per liter than it's predecessor with little modification. And it doesn't make sense for Nissan to lower the power via drastic changes like camshafts or similar - they would want to optimize these areas.

Hopefully, it is due to overly restrictive intake and exhaust systems, as this would be the easiest to upgrade. Even if it is an ECU issue, that wouldn't be so hard to change or fix.

My point is that all things being equal, and the cam profiles staying similar, hopefully there is more room for improvement with the new 3.5L engine than the previous 3L engine, because it is already "under par" for the technology that it has.

All that power, just waiting to be let loose.

 

I agree. The power from the 3.5L seems unusually low considering it now benefits from continuously variable timing and variable intake over the 3.0L.

I think the 3.0L was pretty much at the limit of what it could do and is pretty much inline with other high-end 3.0L (BMW 3.0 = 225 hp, Audi 3.0 = 221, Jaguar 3.0L = 225).

However, the 3.5L is way out of whack with other engines of the same size. Honda takes a 3.2L to achieve the same HP (albeit with less torque). BWM was doing 240 HP with the old 3.2L in the previous M3. Look at what Porsche achieves with a 3.6L NA engine; almost 300 HP with good torque with a 7000 rpm redline.

What I find odd is that the HP rating was dropped from 260 hp to 255 hp at the last minute, apparently due to some variations between the test mules and production vehicles. The Spec-V SER went throught the same thing. Seems fishy.

Hopefully, the only restriction on the power is in the ECU (how else to the get the Altima down to 240 HP?) and can be unlocked with a simple chip upgrade.

 

boy i hope you're right.

 

The 3.5 isn't the high winder like the 2k-2k1 3.0 was. The 3.5 only makes power to about 5800rpm which is just like the 4th gen. The motor has been tuned for big torque and not big hp. HP is related to engine rpm (ie higher the ability to breath up top = more HP).

I am awaiting to see results of a Y-pipe on the 2K2. I have a VERY strong hunch the 2k2 isn't going to benefit from a y-pipe like the earlier 4th gens did. It's already been shown that a y-pipe on the 2k1 does very little mostly due to a very strict emissions system. The 2k2 emission systems proves to be even more complex after looking over a 6 speed at a dealership and pictures. The new Max 6 speed delivers some awesome performance, but I won't be spending my money on one. If the Altima/Max take to y-pipes well, then I will be getting a Altima. I can't have another beam axle. I want a smooth ride.


Dave

 

Good point on the power peak part. Not sure about the last part, though. I'd say the Pathfinder's 3.5 is tuned for torque and that the Max's is more for power.

I was curious why the peak power point is lower on the VQ35, though. I was thinking that maybe Nissan just did their bore job on the engine but didn't bother messing with the intake manifold. It still has dual-stages like before, but if they didn't increase the capacity then it could become a bottleneck at higher RPM's. The VQ30DE made peak power at 6400rpm. But with the added flow maybe the intake manifold, if it wasn't changed, can now only handle up to 5800rpm with the increased displacement??

If this is the case then power gains at the top-end are probably going to be less than they were with the 00-01's. But on the otherhand, greater displacement usually means that mods will have a bigger effect. So maybe the two will cancel each other out.

Isn't the new engine also ULEV? The items needed for that would also cause the engine to make less horsepower...