How Much HP Needed to Reach 300 MPH in a Nissan 350z?

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To reach 300 MPH in a Nissan 350Z, an estimated 1,600 to 2,000 horsepower is required, factoring in aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance. The vehicle's weight will be reduced to around 3,000 lbs, and the engine will be swapped to a VK56DE V8 with twin turbos. Achieving the target speed within one mile is crucial, as the car does not need to maintain 300 MPH but must reach at least 280 MPH. The current record holder operates with approximately 1,500-1,600 whp, suggesting that the target horsepower should be slightly above this figure. Aerodynamics and vehicle stability at high speeds are significant challenges that must be addressed for success.
  • #31
The battery ( and/or capacitor bank) would be purchased. I don't know of a commercial high power density 2000 HP e motor source.

Sure, the power density is doable, but with non trivial engineering and manufacturing chops. Tesla's motors for instance are 2.5 HP/lb (4kW/kg), and even higher power density is reportedly available, though these are built in the hundreds of HP range. Challenges include mechanical loads on the windings, with 200 lb-ft race car typical torque, and heat rejection when packing a lot of power into a small space, especially for the rotor. Guys like the OP have been machining high performance IC engines from scratch for a century. E-motors at 2000 HP and 3 HP/lb? Not that I know of. Dividing the load among multiple motors at 300 mph would present other challenges, like multiple gear boxes, and stable vehicle control.Example GE 1.5 MW generator and gearbox, when high power density is not a design constraint:

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  • #32
Why mess with internal combustion? Because that's what I know. Why not electric power? Because I don't know anything about it. Lol
 
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  • #33
Nissan Jon said:
Because that's what I know.

That's actually a very good reason.
 
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  • #34
I'm worried the amount of boost pressure necessary to generate said level of power would be too much for the stock motor. (assuming your engine, or the one you plan on purchasing is stock) From my knowledge of speed-machines, most cars running in the range you hope to achieve are running on 12+ psi, which few engines (apart from something to the likes of rb26s or 2jzs) can handle. At least for very long. Forged internals however, are always an option. Are you hard set on the vk56?
 
  • #35
automotiveadam7 said:
I'm worried the amount of boost pressure necessary to generate said level of power would be too much for the stock motor. (assuming your engine, or the one you plan on purchasing is stock) From my knowledge of speed-machines, most cars running in the range you hope to achieve are running on 12+ psi, which few engines (apart from something to the likes of rb26s or 2jzs) can handle. At least for very long. Forged internals however, are always an option. Are you hard set on the vk56?

Well, my shop represents Nissan motorsports, and I intended to stay with in the Nissan family. The only V8 option in the Nissan line up is the VK, however, as a testament to Nissan innovation, Nissan Supercar AU built a 714bhp Naturally Aspirated VK50, on almost entirely stock upper components and completely stock lower parts.

Now, I'll be far from stock. We'll be running primarily titanium parts, like: block sleeves, rods, pistons, ect., 320,000 psi head bolts, the works.

2,500 bhp is really easy to achieve, making it reliable is tricky, but cramming it all in a Z33 body will be the real challenge.
 
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  • #36
Another Ford GT, this time 279.9 mph. (280.1 at Arkansas). Despite the claim of no body mods, there's a 1 1/2" or so spoiler added to the rear, perhaps to direct air flow over the braking chute. The Ford GT body is based on a Lemans race car (Ford GT40), and is less prone to speed related issues (lifting of rear end or lifting of front end and blowover). My impression is that the 350Z body style is going to produce lift at high speed without some modifications. If there's enough excess power such as the drag cars, the entire body can be pitched nose down to produce downforce.

 
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  • #37
Nissan Jon said:
Now, I'll be far from stock. We'll be running primarily titanium parts, like: block sleeves, rods, pistons, ect., 320,000 psi head bolts, the works.
Oh, well you're set then.
 
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