Engine Smoothness
#1
Engine Smoothness
In my original post, I briefly mentioned the engine smoothness (or lack thereof) on the current G35 which I test drove.
I realize that the new VQ is supposed to have specs that reduce NVH but I wonder if it will be as smooth as the older Maximas and 300Z's were. I haven't driven any VQ's since probably 1988.
Does anyone know what makes the current VQ not as smooth as the older Maxima engines?
Is it a function of timing BELTS vs CHAINS or did they stop using balancing shafts?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
I realize that the new VQ is supposed to have specs that reduce NVH but I wonder if it will be as smooth as the older Maximas and 300Z's were. I haven't driven any VQ's since probably 1988.
Does anyone know what makes the current VQ not as smooth as the older Maxima engines?
Is it a function of timing BELTS vs CHAINS or did they stop using balancing shafts?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
#2
Originally Posted by Gavine
In my original post, I briefly mentioned the engine smoothness (or lack thereof) on the current G35 which I test drove.
I realize that the new VQ is supposed to have specs that reduce NVH but I wonder if it will be as smooth as the older Maximas and 300Z's were. I haven't driven any VQ's since probably 1988.
Does anyone know what makes the current VQ not as smooth as the older Maxima engines?
Is it a function of timing BELTS vs CHAINS or did they stop using balancing shafts?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
I realize that the new VQ is supposed to have specs that reduce NVH but I wonder if it will be as smooth as the older Maximas and 300Z's were. I haven't driven any VQ's since probably 1988.
Does anyone know what makes the current VQ not as smooth as the older Maxima engines?
Is it a function of timing BELTS vs CHAINS or did they stop using balancing shafts?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
But as you said that may have changed for '07.
#5
Smoothness has to do a lot with the increase from 3.0L to 3.5L like Jspeed said. The maximum displacement for optimal smoothness for a I4 is 2.0L, V6/I6 is 3.0L and V8 is 4.0L, etc. Any larger and you'll lose some smoothness since they they have to increase the bore or the stroke. Increasing either will decrease smoothness. That's why you noticed BMW I6 is @ 3.0L, Acura TSX is @ 2.0L, old SR20 is 2.0L.
#6
#7
Guys, at the risk being flamed,......hold on a sec......
<.......Mr. Ryte puts on his flame suit......>
Ok, let's think about this:
How many of you actually do R&D/design/tests on engines and vehicles on a daily basis? All these responses about engine size and design for optimum smoothness is interesting, but don't you guys think that these automotive engineers came across these issues and addressed them?
Right now, no one here on the forum has even driven a Nissan/Infiniti with the new engine in it, I can't see how anyone can give an accurate assessment on it.
<.......Mr. Ryte puts on his flame suit......>
Ok, let's think about this:
How many of you actually do R&D/design/tests on engines and vehicles on a daily basis? All these responses about engine size and design for optimum smoothness is interesting, but don't you guys think that these automotive engineers came across these issues and addressed them?
Right now, no one here on the forum has even driven a Nissan/Infiniti with the new engine in it, I can't see how anyone can give an accurate assessment on it.
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#8
Originally Posted by Mr_Ryte
How many of you actually do R&D/design/tests on engines and vehicles on a daily basis? All these responses about engine size and design for optimum smoothness is interesting, but don't you guys think that these automotive engineers came across these issues and addressed them?
Right now, no one here on the forum has even driven a Nissan/Infiniti with the new engine in it, I can't see how anyone can give an accurate assessment on it.
Right now, no one here on the forum has even driven a Nissan/Infiniti with the new engine in it, I can't see how anyone can give an accurate assessment on it.
#9
Originally Posted by Mr_Ryte
Ok, let's think about this:
How many of you actually do R&D/design/tests on engines and vehicles on a daily basis? All these responses about engine size and design for optimum smoothness is interesting, but don't you guys think that these automotive engineers came across these issues and addressed them?
How many of you actually do R&D/design/tests on engines and vehicles on a daily basis? All these responses about engine size and design for optimum smoothness is interesting, but don't you guys think that these automotive engineers came across these issues and addressed them?
If you do any amount of research on cylinder arrangement vs. running balance, you will quickly realize that an inline 6 indeed is smoother than a V6, all else being equal (e.g. cam profile, build tolerance, displacement, etc.). Companies went from I6 to V6 for packaging reasons. It's simply easier to fit a V6 (almost 50% shorter than an equivalent I6) into modern cars with packed engine bays.
#10
Originally Posted by Jspeed
Your logic assumes that the extensive R&D done by the Nissan engineers would iron out any engine smoothness issues. However, that doesn't explain the fact that the VQ35 lost some smoothness from the VQ30. The engineers have many agendas to fulfill. Besides smoothness, they are interested in extracting more power from the engines while minimizing cost.
If you do any amount of research on cylinder arrangement vs. running balance, you will quickly realize that an inline 6 indeed is smoother than a V6, all else being equal (e.g. cam profile, build tolerance, displacement, etc.). Companies went from I6 to V6 for packaging reasons. It's simply easier to fit a V6 (almost 50% shorter than an equivalent I6) into modern cars with packed engine bays.
If you do any amount of research on cylinder arrangement vs. running balance, you will quickly realize that an inline 6 indeed is smoother than a V6, all else being equal (e.g. cam profile, build tolerance, displacement, etc.). Companies went from I6 to V6 for packaging reasons. It's simply easier to fit a V6 (almost 50% shorter than an equivalent I6) into modern cars with packed engine bays.
#11
Originally Posted by Jspeed
Your logic assumes that the extensive R&D done by the Nissan engineers would iron out any engine smoothness issues. However, that doesn't explain the fact that the VQ35 lost some smoothness from the VQ30. The engineers have many agendas to fulfill. Besides smoothness, they are interested in extracting more power from the engines while minimizing cost.
Besides, how does one actually measure/quantify engine smoothness?
Originally Posted by Jspeed
If you do any amount of research on cylinder arrangement vs. running balance, you will quickly realize that an inline 6 indeed is smoother than a V6, all else being equal (e.g. cam profile, build tolerance, displacement, etc.). Companies went from I6 to V6 for packaging reasons. It's simply easier to fit a V6 (almost 50% shorter than an equivalent I6) into modern cars with packed engine bays.
#12
Engine smoothness is related to many factors, but balance is one of the keys. How well an engine is balanced is mostly determined by its basic configuration including the number of cylinders, how they are arranged (v, inline, etc), the angle in between the banks (60 deg, 90 deg, 180 deg, etc). Certain configurations are inherently much better balanced. The best are the inline 6, the 60 deg v-12, and the 90 deg v-8. The VQ engine is a 60 deg v-6 which is a much smoother design than the 90 deg v-6. For more details see the attached link.
http://www.answers.com/topic/engine-balance
http://www.answers.com/topic/engine-balance
#13
Originally Posted by ElixXxeR
IIRC, a major design objective for the new VQ35HR was increased smoothness, I remember reading it in an Infiniti press release. Besides, like the VQ is so terrible.
#14
Originally Posted by Mr_Ryte
My logic is that when people start claiming that one engine has problem and is better/worse than its predecessor with nothing more than subjective feedback then I think that's being a little presumptuous. The VQ has been heralded as one of the best V6's ever made by many in the automotive press. Each generation surpassed the previous one and thus the VQ has been on Ward's top engine list for the longest time so Nissan must be doing something right.
Besides, how does one actually measure/quantify engine smoothness?
That part I'm familiar with. No engine design is perfect and each has its pros and cons. That said, again I ask-wouldn't the design guys thought of appropriate NVH dampeners to minimize the harshness to some degree?