A V6 Engine that Doesn't Sound Terrible.

"LuczOr" (LuczOr)
07/28/2014 at 18:27 • Filed to: None

This is not it.

This is the 3.5L V6 that came in the Nissan 350Z/Infiniti G35 and I always thought it sounded completely terrible. The bump up to 3.7L didn't help and the GT-R's 3.8L (which is a quite different V6) also sounds pretty meh.

Nissan isn't the only V6 that suffers from gross-noise-itis. The Honda Accord V6 moans similarly (and induces moans, if I say so), as well as the 2GR-FE from Toyota. American V6's are also pretty gross, with the Mustang and Camaro engines leaving a distaste in my mouth.

But they can't all be bad, can they? Surely there is something out there that makes a sound to inspire me. The only one I can think of is the Volkswagen VR6 engine which is technically a V6, albiet a very narrow one with it's 15 degree bank angle.

So how about it? What are your favorite V6 noises? Convince me that V6's don't all sound like something sticky I stepped on in the front yard.

DISCUSSION (48)

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 18:29

The only cool V6 noise is the new F1 engine. And that's all because of the turbo whoosh

PanchoVilleneuve ST > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 18:31

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 18:32

4.3L Vortec V6 in my Sonoma doesn't sound terrible!!!

Plot twist: It probably does.

lonestranger > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 18:34

I've heard the same complaint about the VQ lots on Oppo lately. Until recently, I had no idea people didn't like their sound. I've always quite liked it. I think it's one of the better sounding V6s, and one of the Z/G's nicest attributes.

To each their own.

dogisbadob > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 18:36

Toyota's VZ and MZ engines sound pretty good.

GM's V6's from the 90s with holes in the exhaust don't sound too bad either /hides

Why u no like the VQ sound? :p

My citroen won't start > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 18:37

The V6 on my Tribeca sounds like a sewing machine, I like the sound of Maserati V6's from the 80's though.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 18:39

The old Ford Cologne V6 is one of very few V6's that I think sounds right straight piped.

Ford Capri X-Pack 2.8 Injection Side Pipe Exhausts:

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 18:41

GM's 3800 motor sounds pretty good.

I like how Saturn did the exhaust on the 3.6L Vue.

Ford's old 3.0L V6 in the early 2000s Taurus sounds great.

I personally like the VQ's note.

4age20vsilvertop > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 19:05

The old Lancia V6 sounds makes quite a pleasant noise .

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 19:07

Ford's Duratec sounds amazing once it's modded:

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > PanchoVilleneuve ST
07/28/2014 at 19:25

Why do we keep having to pull this out? HOW can people forget this?
with 12 valves.

With 24...

semi-related, with added Because Racecar...

With Big Bore...

Maybe people just want us to find the good videos for them?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > lonestranger
07/28/2014 at 20:34

The VQ is to Jalopnik/Oppo, what Nickelback is to the world. It's seems like it's just cool to hate it.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > My citroen won't start
07/28/2014 at 20:35

Boxer 6, if it is a Subaru Tribeca, it is a Boxer 6.

My citroen won't start > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/28/2014 at 21:03

OH FUCK, I can't believe I just did that, I read about the V6's and the noise the H6 in my Tribeca makes instantly came to mind, I got a bit distracted and wrote V6. I know its a boxer, that's why I bought it. I'm so sorry.

37deezee > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 21:11

I agree it's not a v12 Ferrari, but the Fast Intentions cat back makes a huge improvement in the VQ ... Stock compared to aftermarket kit... FI Catback starts at :50... Enjoy.

37deezee > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 21:11

I agree it's not a v12 Ferrari, but the Fast Intentions cat back makes a huge improvement in the VQ ... Stock compared to aftermarket kit... FI Catback starts at :50... Enjoy.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 21:21

c32 amg

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > My citroen won't start
07/28/2014 at 21:39

It's okay!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > LuczOr
07/28/2014 at 22:06

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/28/2014 at 22:57

+1 for 3800, especially straight-piped.

Amoore100 > lonestranger
07/28/2014 at 23:59

Agreed, at least its distinctive and makes mommy haulers like the Nissan Quest a little more exciting...

uofime > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts
07/29/2014 at 00:08

Very nice indeed!

uofime > 37deezee
07/29/2014 at 00:14

that was a terrible demo, why do they always do that? no high rpm, no load all you really know is the idle now sounds bad

Burrito de EJ25 > LuczOr
07/29/2014 at 01:37

Kinja'd!!!

The VR6 sounds almost identical to the VQ. The same trumpeting throb.

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > LuczOr
07/29/2014 at 02:09

I don't get it. I don't like V6s and have never (yet) owned one. They are a bastard child of compromise. But, that having been said, I do like the sound of the VR6 and the VQ. And the Camaro V6.

I dunno, maybe it's just the fact that at least they're recognizable in a sea of asthmatic I4s.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
07/29/2014 at 05:40

This is what I think every single time someone mentions something about V6s sounding bad.

It staggers me how anyone can say that while this engine exists.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > LuczOr
07/29/2014 at 06:00

As far as I can tell, the idea that V6s sound terrible is endemic only to the US.

I think it's something to do with V6s being the economy engine for a load of vehicles, and being tuned to be as utterly uninspiring as the boggo base-spec 1.6l I4s in Vauxhall Astras over here.

Over this side of the pond we've had some staggering sounding V6s:

SWITAWI > LuczOr
07/29/2014 at 10:06

Nailed it with the VR6. I had one. Spent a lot of time in 3rd gear on the highway, lol.

Other than that a 240Z at an autocross exhaling through an Supertrapp exhaust sounds like a smoother VR6. No lie.

37deezee > uofime
07/29/2014 at 10:36

Found a better video...

uofime > 37deezee
07/29/2014 at 10:58

two thumbs up, much better video. I like the way the VQ35/37 sounds in stock or that modified form.

I wonder why they didn't want to put resonators on the exhaust system, when properly designed they don't impede the flow and they can increase power and get rid of drone noises.

The only downside is they take design effort for tuning and fitment and add a little weight to the system. They make sense on a street exhaust system. If you just wanted to be loud an electronic cut out is a lot cheaper and more practical

LuczOr > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts
07/29/2014 at 11:17

This one wins by a LONG SHOT so far.

LuczOr > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/29/2014 at 11:22

I always disliked the VQ since the first time I heard one getting on the throttle. I just thought it sounded like the death rattle of a stricken cow. The worst part is that it sounds much worse at part throttle, which is how you hear it 99% of the time.

LuczOr > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
07/29/2014 at 11:25

So far, it seems like older V6's sound great and the newer stuff is what really doesn't do it. Probably has to do with exhaust manifolds optimized for efficiency.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
07/29/2014 at 11:25

Thank you. I guess mine has an exhaust leak...

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > LuczOr
07/29/2014 at 11:29

once we get the Black Widow put back together I'll be sure to post some ear candy.

m2m, apex detective > LuczOr
07/29/2014 at 12:55

I instantly found myself thinking of these as better-doers.

GIBE MOAR NEAT V6s PLS

CammedCTSV > LuczOr
07/29/2014 at 12:56

GMC 5.0L V6

m2m, apex detective > LuczOr
07/29/2014 at 13:34

Also: Isn't this technically a Toyota-sourced V6?

LuczOr > CammedCTSV
07/29/2014 at 14:30

LOL that seriously sounds like a big Whoopee Cushion.

LuczOr > m2m, apex detective
07/29/2014 at 14:49

I suppose it is. Actually, it's the same V6 in my wife's Rav4. It's the 2GR-FE.

OK, I have to take back some of my comments on that engine. I guess I never really heard it with an exhaust. It's not very popular to modify, you might imagine. I found a few clips. I had no idea the engine in our commuter could sound like this.

m2m, apex detective > LuczOr
07/29/2014 at 18:14

The more you know ... that sure makes the car more appealing to me!

Viggen > LuczOr
07/29/2014 at 21:24

F-Type wants a word with you.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > LuczOr
07/30/2014 at 04:14

Could well be, although the new Maserati V6TT and the new Jaguar V6S sound pretty damn amazing.

I think it's just V6s that are tuned for enjoyment sound excellent, and ones tuned for humdrum a-to-b sound crap.

LuczOr > Viggen
07/30/2014 at 11:00

I had forgotten that it wasn't just the V8 F-Type that makes my peepee tickle.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > LuczOr
07/30/2014 at 23:24

I always like the sound of the VQ. I also like the sound of the 3.7 Duratech V6 in the Mustang.

And I have to say two engines I never liked the sound of was the old AMC 4.2 I6 or the old Chrysler slant 6:

Yeah... I know they're not V6s. But anyone who says that the VQ doesn't sound nice needs to spend some time with these old OHV inline 6 engines.

kanadanmajava1 > LuczOr
03/26/2015 at 18:48

That would be Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI DTM from 90's of course. They went up to 14,000 rpm during the best times. Some are still active in hill climb racing. Actually they used two different V6 engines with the same displacement but different v-angle (60 and 90 degrees).

For some reason I cannot link videos. Here's a picture.

Kinja'd!!!

importtuner > LuczOr
04/18/2017 at 19:25

WTF? Honda V6's sound great.