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First, some 350Z news. Since the car was announced to be a non-turbo, there have been those that have hoped for a factory addition of a turbo or supercharger after a year or two of sales. Well, sources inside Nissan as well as some of the aftermarket companies they've been talking with, have put a big hole in that possibility. Reportedly, the VQ35 is designed in a way that makes it even harder than we thought to introduce forced induction. Aside from all the "aluminum block can't handle boost" theories (which have some merit, but have yet to be proven to a specific degree), there are design issues of the motor that have scared off some possibilities. One such example given to me was the motors extremely long stroke. Supercharging gains appear to be almost minimal and not worth any rational effort unless solely in an aftermarket sense. Even then, it doesn't appear that it will be worth it. Turbocharging does seem to be the method of choice IF Nissan were to go that far, but even that seems increasingly unlikely as time goes on. Sorry guys...it's not set in stone, but it's pretty likely the car will remain an NA. Now, in Japan where they will most likely be using a VQ30 block, there is a much greater chance that this can work. It's a shame that the American way is bigger motors for bigger power...or so they think. Ever try to explain to someone why an SR20DET can sometimes be immensely more beneficial than other engines of larger stock output? Those of you that know, know...weight savings, better for boost, etc etc. These are things unlikely to be sold on the Joe Blow American Car Buyer. 3.5L NA for them! Skyline...oh, the mighty Skyline. As many of you noticed earlier, I posted some sketches of the proposed Infiniti Skyline. Now, these photos will be out very soon in a notable Japanese mag (screw BusyBee, etc). These guys are pretty in tune with what's going on...so it holds more merit than most sketches. Of course, this is still in the works, so there's much room for change...just like the real Z sketches. Speaking of change...Seedy is going back on his claim. I wont sugar-coat it at all other than to say things have changed since last I posted and boy have they! Just yesterday I was saying that the Skyline has been "shelved" for the U.S. While that was true (for a short time) and Nissan decided to slow down the Skyline's progress into America, new information is out. Here's what I know now: Nissan is completely RAMPING UP to try and get this thing ready to come over in late 2003 (much like an article or two mentioned). As I've said before, it will not be ANYTHING like what you'd expect. I hate to wreck this dream many of you have, but here are the realities: 1) The car will not have an RB series motor. Not even in Japan as many of you already knew. There's big debate over what to do in Japan as we speak. Many had hoped for an RB30 to be the next in line, but that has gone out the window. Most likely a VQ series motor will make it into the Japanese car...or perhaps a V8 (read on for that...) 2) The body styling will be different from Japan. As I posted earlier in those pics, you can see it looks NOTHING like the old Skyline or the R35 sketches made long ago. We will get a toned down version, possibly in more ways than one (to be mentioned next). In Japan the car will still be a Nissan and they will have free run with the series. But because the car has never existed over here before, the U.S. will have their own free run with the Infiniti badging. It will be a higher priced, luxurious and different beast altogether. The car will share the frame of the new Z though. 3) Performance...ugh. There are two scenarios that are being discussed right now. The more widely known one involves ALSO using the VQ35 engine in the Infiniti Skyline. It would be beefed up to around 300hp (more if the new Z manages to actually make 300 which it looks like it will be just short). Obviously, this would be an NA V6...everything the current Skyline is not. The other scenario is less known and just in talks right now. Let's just say it involves a high power V8 with high 300's in the HP catergory and 400+ in the torque catergory. Put that on a car that weighs 2/3rds of what the Q series does and you've got a nice little rocket...but this is just talk. It's a glimmer of hope in a bucket of feces to the current infatuated Skyline person. As you can see, things are looking quite interesting for Nissan right now. You're probably wondering why all the quick changes and uncertainties with Skylines and such...well, the economy over here and over there is all over the place. Things can STILL change between now and then...hell, if the Japanese market goes off the deep-end (it's been bad enough for a while as it is), we might not even see a Skyline in EITHER country. You never know... The nice thing is that we in America look like a pretty good risk to most of Japan when it comes to shipping over new cars. Look at the WRX, Lancer, etc...we are still selling cars in masses and with some bouncebacks in the economy as of late, interest rates, etc, the future looks bright enough for the automotive industry to take some more risks. Time will tell. As usual, take this as you will. Again, my sources are extremely reliable but sometimes a little vague (they have to be). I do my best to decipher what's going on without getting people into too much trouble. Remember, things change and plans change, but this is as good as info gets. I hope everyone appreciates it. You guys get most of it even before my articles come out...how's that for a scoop? :) Take care and if you have questions, ask them here. I'll check in the morning but I'll be gone all day getting my Z worked on. Ryan
SeedyRom
***Do your part and vote for the 3 Z's in the Ultimate Sports Car Challenge!! Yes, YOU! Click HERE for details!*** www.cardomain.com Zheaven.com is back *UP* completely! 04/13/01 -- Click my Z below to enter. 
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