I just don't get this mentality. The G8 platform is off the Australian holden chassis. Which is pretty well known. I've stopped the import/domestic mentality years ago. If it's a good car, it's a good car. It'd rock a Z06, CTS-V, Mustang GT, 300C SRT8 with no problems. At the same time, I'd rock a number of imports also. Right now there is no import V8 4-door with the same power as the domestics. The new M56 is a hard hitter, but it's north of $50,000 also.

 

Wow! I did not expect such a large response! Thanks for all the awesome input; you guys have created many great points. As far as my decision... I underestimated the cost of supercharging my g35. If I had money to throw around, I might just do it, however, this car is a daily driver for me, and I need a reliable vehicle. That being said, the g37 would be a much wiser choice. A little side note - I had a 99 grand prix 2 door (last year they made em), and I absolutely loved it. Back to the topic on hand... and you guys are going to have fun with this... I decided to give my g35 to my wife, and fix up my jeep (2001 cherokee). Lift it, big tires, exhaust....... let the flaming begin Adding these cheap, but substantial mods to my jeep will provide that uniquness that I crave. That year of jeep is a bulletproof beast, and should last for many many more miles (70k currently).

Well, thanks again guys!
Barthalonious

 

Haha no problem, but keep having the debate of what is under 300whp or over 300whp by yourself because noone ever asked such a question. Your first post is just way too broad, words like never and safe. 30k miles is safe on a motor? NOTT (how is a motor safe at first and then it blows up.... no safe is having a motor that never blows up. period. Never reach 300whp is not possible too. boy oh boy. Im done here.

 

Okay, I'm gonna bump this once more for clarity, then leave it alone. Probably. Maybe.

The whole 300whp and Fi vs non-FI was a natural result of the discussion, and didn't have much at all to do with the original question: G37 or SC the current G?. I instigated most of that discussion to clear up some misconceptions.

jshelquist suggested OP could get "a lot" of usable hp out of the current G with some bolt-ons and that the stock internals would not stand up to boost. I merely noted that in my experience of reading tens of thousands of posts and talking with friends who have boosted cars (and who spent many thousands on NA first, then gave up and went FI), neither is really the case. Not trying to cause a stir, just the facts, ma'am.

I can tell you I was standing next to red35's TT coupe when it pulled 480whp on the dyno on stock internals and have since been to several meets with him and he drives that car HARD. He's also made at least two trips to Vancouver (1500 miles round trip, over the Rocky Mountains) with no issues whatsoever. That, to me, sounds pretty dependable. Sure, it may not run another 100,000 miles but neither is it a DD for him so he doesn't have to worry about that. I would also point people back to the 'how hard do you push it' thread as evidence that guys do boost stock blocks and they don't all blow up in the first 5 minutes.

I also refuted the contention -- and one that Bestswat still hasn't backed up -- that 300 NA whp is relatively cheap and easy to attain. It's not. Maybe he read a different "NA Builds" section of my350z than I did. Here it is, if any of you care to look into it, it's pretty educational.

http://my350z.com/forum/na-builds-498/

OP -- sounds like your ultimate decision makes both you and your wife happy, so kudos on that. All's well that ends well.

 

To do forced induction on the VQ35 series takes some serious cash. IMO, you need to plan on $15K to have a truely reliable FI VQ35. I've always told myself if I came into some cash, I buy a used Elise and then do the following to my G:

1) VQ30 block from the 95-01 Maxima. This VQ can take serious power unlike the VQ35. 350whp VQ30 Maximas are everywhere. It's such a stout motor compared to the glass VQ35. The VQ35s biggest problem is the long rods. The VQ30 doesn't have this issue and thing loves to rev.

2) I'd do a newer twin-scroll turbo design and it would be a relatively small turbo with the goal of around 350whp/350wtq. I'd be going for V8 like thrust, not a high winding, laggy setup. The car would be good for lower 13s and would be very driveable.

3) Rebuild the 5AT with parts from beefier 5ATs in the Nissan truck/SUV line

4) Transgo shift kit, cooling upgrades.


I like Jeff's idea of the Ellis swap, but I couldn't let go of the stability control, traction control, and ABS. It just wouldn't work with the Ellis because those systems are designed to work with VQ, not an LS series. I'm sure you could get them to "work", but they wouldn't work as designed and could make the car rather dangerous. I'm not willing to compromise that even for one of the best V8s out there.

Like Jeff, I'm all about sharing the love. I'd have no issues driving a G8. It's a porker and overall less sporty than the G simply because of it's size and mass, but it's still a sports sedan in my book. It's an easy way to easy power too. One car that has surprised me was a recent Charger SXT rental. I've never been a huge fan of the Chargers (always seemed like a 6/10ths design effort), but after having one for 11 days, I kinda grew to like it and could see how the R/T and SRT varients could really improve things. I recently saw the revamped Charger and most everything about the car has been fixed including a great Challenger-like redo of the rear, a much more aggressive nose and hood, a better rear door glass design, an infintely better interior, and a 7AT tranny.

As for the G37, it's a nice car, but I don't see myself owning one. A 2011 N55 single turbo 335 coupe looks more appealing to me.

 

Hey, if you haven't realized it yet, Infinitis are like blackberries. We know they suck but we still get it even though The iphone is 10x better.

 

I hate anything Apple. Anything.

 

Pie? Bottoms? The Big?

So azt, what is the automotive equivalent of the iPhone?

 

get a G37, throw on a GTM SC kit, a large oil cooler and call it a day.

 

Might as well just buy a Lambo, turbo it and call it a day

 

wtf

 

The original Holdens were horrible. The gave new meaning to the word "understeer". Pontiac had done a lot to correct that, but they are still pigs as far as weight goes. My boss has a G8 GT, it's a nice car, goes like stink, but it just doesn't have that, "sports" sedan like quality.

 

I don't know. Automobile mag compared a G8 (non GXP) to the bmw 550i and it was right there with the BMW in almost every performance cateagory. Just behind it. But it is a 5 series or a M45 size. Probably too big to really handle like a G37 sedan/bmw 3 series etc..