Nissan VK engine

Last updated
Nissan VK
Nissan VK56DE 001.JPG
Overview
Manufacturer Nissan (Nissan Machinery)
Production2002–present
Layout
Configuration 90° V8
Displacement 4.5  L; 274.2  cu in (4,494  cc)
5.0 L; 306.7 cu in (5,026 cc)
5.6 L; 338.8 cu in (5,552 cc)
Cylinder bore 93  mm (3.66  in)
95.5 mm (3.76 in)
98 mm (3.86 in)
Piston stroke 82.7 mm (3.26 in)
87.7 mm (3.45 in)
92 mm (3.62 in)
Cylinder block material Aluminium
Cylinder head materialAluminium
Valvetrain DOHC 4 valves x cyl. with CVTCS and VVEL (some versions)
Compression ratio 11.0:1, 10.9:1
Combustion
Fuel system SFI, GDI
Fuel type Gasoline
Cooling system Water cooled
Output
Power output 305–650 hp (227.4–484.7 kW)
Torque output 385–485 lb⋅ft (522.0–657.6 N⋅m)
Chronology
Predecessor Nissan VH

The VK engine (formerly known as the ZH) is a V8 piston engine from Nissan. It is an aluminum DOHC 4-valve design.

Contents

The VK engine was originally based on Nissan's VQ V6 rather than the VH V8 used in previous Q45/Cima models. Changes include: a variable intake manifold, newly designed heads, and a larger drive by wire throttle chamber. The intake manifold directs air through different paths at different engine speeds to optimise low-end torque or high-end horsepower.

VK45DE

VK45DE VK45DE.jpg
VK45DE

The 4,494 cc (4.5 L; 274.2 cu in)VK45DE was introduced in 2002 and is built in Yokohama, Japan. Bore and stroke is 93 mm × 82.7 mm (3.66 in × 3.26 in). Output is 340  hp (254  kW ; 345  PS ) at 6,400  rpm with 46  kg⋅m (451  N⋅m ; 333  lbf⋅ft ) of torque at 4,000 rpm. Redline is at 6,600 rpm. It has an aluminum engine block and aluminum DOHC cylinder heads. It uses SFI, has 4 titanium valves per cylinder with Continuous Variable Valve Timing and features forged steel connecting rods, 4 one-piece cast camshafts, an unusual variable-flow induction system optimizes airflow for low- and high-speed operation, low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons, and a microfinished forged crankshaft.

Motorsport

A flat-plane crankshaft version of the VK45DE was used by Nismo for Super GT races with the Nissan GT-R instead of using the GT-R's VR38DETT twin-turbo V6 engine. [1] The VK45DE was previously used in Nissan's 350Z Super GT car in 2007, replacing the previous VQ30DETT used in that car. In race trim, the Super GT VK45DE produces 500 PS (368 kW; 493 hp) and 52 kg⋅m (510 N⋅m; 376 lbf⋅ft) of torque. [2] The engine idles at around 3,500 rpm and is restricted to the above specified power output. Without such restrictions, the engine is reputedly capable of producing nearly 800 PS (588 kW; 789 hp). [3] Nismo reasons that by using the engine, they eliminate turbo lag, save weight and generally prefer the torque curve of the atmospheric V8. Also in the Super GT series, an unbranded VK45DE is used for "Mother Chassis" cars; the engine is labeled the GTA V8. [4]

Applications

YearsModelPower outputTorque
2002–2006 Infiniti Q45 340 hp (254 kW)46 kg⋅m (451 N⋅m; 333 lbf⋅ft)
2003–2008 Infiniti FX45 320 hp (239 kW)46.5 kg⋅m (456 N⋅m; 336 lbf⋅ft)
2003–2004 Infiniti M45 340 hp (254 kW)46 kg⋅m (451 N⋅m; 333 lbf⋅ft)
2006–2010 Infiniti M45 325 hp (242 kW)47 kg⋅m (461 N⋅m; 340 lbf⋅ft)
2004–2010 Nissan Fuga 450 GT333 hp (248 kW)47 kg⋅m (461 N⋅m; 340 lbf⋅ft)
2003–2010 Nissan President 276 hp (206 kW)46 kg⋅m (451 N⋅m; 333 lbf⋅ft)
2007 Super GT Nissan 350Z 490 hp (365 kW)52.5 kg⋅m (515 N⋅m; 380 lbf⋅ft) (Non-Production)
2008-2009 Super GT Nissan GT-R 490 hp (365 kW)52.5 kg⋅m (515 N⋅m; 380 lbf⋅ft) (Non-Production)
2011–2016Various LMP2 racing cars450 hp (336 kW)59.4 kg⋅m (583 N⋅m; 430 lbf⋅ft) (Non-Production)
2014–present Super GT "Mother Chassis" cars450 hp (336 kW)59.4 kg⋅m (583 N⋅m; 430 lbf⋅ft) (Non-Production)

VK45DD

The VK45DD is a 4,494 cc (4.5 L; 274.2 cu in) V8 engine that is very similar to the VK45DE but adds a direct injection fuel system. This was Nissan's first V8 with direct injection (NEO-Di). It officially produces 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 46 kg⋅m (451 N⋅m; 333 lbf⋅ft) at 3,600 rpm, but it has unofficially over 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp). It has a compression ratio of 11.0:1, and a bore and stroke of 93 mm × 82.7 mm (3.66 in × 3.26 in).

Applications

VK50VE

Nissan VK50VE Engine. 2008 Nissan VK50VE engine front.jpg
Nissan VK50VE Engine.

The VK50VE is a 5,026 cc (5.0 L; 306.7 cu in) V8 engine with 390 hp (291 kW) at 6,500 rpm and 51 kg⋅m (500 N⋅m; 369 lbf⋅ft) at 4,400 rpm and redline is set at 6,800 rpm. Bore x stroke are 95.5 mm × 87.7 mm (3.76 in × 3.45 in) and compression ratio is 10.9:1. The valvetrain is a dual overhead cam (DOHC) design with a continuously variable valve timing control system (CVTCS). The engine also features Nissan's VVEL valve timing technology. [5]

Applications

VK56DE

Nissan VK56DE engine. Nissan VK56DE 001.JPG
Nissan VK56DE engine.

The VK56DE is a 5,552 cc (5.6 L; 338.8 cu in) version built in Decherd, Tennessee. Bore and stroke is 98 mm × 92 mm (3.9 in × 3.6 in). Output is 317–320 hp (236–239 kW; 321–324 PS) at 4,900 rpm with 522 to 533 N⋅m (385 to 393 lb⋅ft) of torque at 3,600 rpm. It has aluminum-alloy block and heads and low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons. The valvetrain is a dual overhead cam (DOHC) design with a continuously variable valve timing control system (CVTCS) on the intake valves. It also has 4 valves per cylinder with micro-finished camshafts and ductile iron cylinder liners for increased durability.

Motorsport

Nismo used the VK56DE for FIA GT1 racing in the Nissan GT-R GT1 from 2010 to 2011. In race trim, it produced 600 hp (447 kW) and 650 N⋅m (479 lbf⋅ft) of torque. [6]

The Nissan Motorsport VK56DE was launched in Australia for the V8 Supercars Championship in 2013 by Kelly Racing in Melbourne. The engine has been reduced in capacity to 4,990 cc (5.0 L; 304.5 cu in) to fit the V8 Supercars regulations. It has a bore and stroke of 102.69 mm × 75.31 mm (4.04 in × 2.96 in). It was fitted to a Nissan Altima version of the V8 Supercars "Car of the Future" specification that competed from 2013 until 2019. [7]

Applications

YearsModelPower outputTorque
2004–2015 Nissan Armada 305 to 317 hp (227 to 236 kW)53.2 kg⋅m (522 N⋅m; 385 lbf⋅ft)
2004–2015 Nissan Titan 305 to 317 hp (227 to 236 kW)52.5 to 53.2 kg⋅m (515 to 522 N⋅m; 380 to 385 lbf⋅ft)
2004–2010 Infiniti QX56 315 to 320 hp (235 to 239 kW)54 to 54.4 kg⋅m (530 to 533 N⋅m; 391 to 393 lbf⋅ft)
2010–2016 Nissan Patrol 320 hp (239 kW)54.4 kg⋅m (533 N⋅m; 393 lbf⋅ft)
2008–2012 Nissan Pathfinder 310 hp (231 kW)53.5 kg⋅m (525 N⋅m; 387 lbf⋅ft)
2012–2016 Nissan NV2500 HD 317 hp (236 kW)53.2 kg⋅m (522 N⋅m; 385 lbf⋅ft)
2012–2016 Nissan NV3500 HD 317 hp (236 kW)53.2 kg⋅m (522 N⋅m; 385 lbf⋅ft)
2012–2016 Nissan NV Passenger 317 hp (236 kW)53.2 kg⋅m (522 N⋅m; 385 lbf⋅ft)
2009–2011 Nissan GT-R GT1 600 hp (447 kW)66.3 kg⋅m (650 N⋅m; 480 lbf⋅ft) (Non-Production)
2013–2019 Nissan Altima, Supercars Championship 650 hp (485 kW)67 kg⋅m (657 N⋅m; 485 lbf⋅ft) (Non-Production)
2020-Various LMP3 racing cars420 bhp (313 kW) (Non-production)

Notes:

VK56VD

Nissan/Infiniti VK56VD Engine. NISSAN VK56VD.jpg
Nissan/Infiniti VK56VD Engine.

The VK56VD is a 5,552 cc (5.6 L; 338.8 cu in) 32-valve, DOHC, Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG) aluminum-alloy V8 and features Nissan's latest VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift System). The direct injection system provides better wide-open throttle performance and improved fuel economy and emissions performance by reducing engine knock, improving combustion stability and controlling injection more precisely.

Applications

YearsModelPower outputTorque
2010–2023 Nissan Patrol 400 hp (298 kW)57.1 kg⋅m (560 N⋅m; 413 lbf⋅ft)
2016–2023 Nissan Patrol Nismo 428 hp (319 kW)57.6 kg⋅m (565 N⋅m; 417 lbf⋅ft)
2011–2024 Infiniti QX80 400 hp (298 kW)57.1 kg⋅m (560 N⋅m; 413 lbf⋅ft)
2011–2013 Infiniti M56 420 hp (313 kW)57.6 kg⋅m (565 N⋅m; 417 lbf⋅ft)
2014–2019 Infiniti Q70 420 to 436 hp (313 to 325 kW)57.1 to 57.6 kg⋅m (560 to 565 N⋅m; 413 to 417 lbf⋅ft)
2017–2021 Nissan NV2500 HD 375 hp (280 kW)53.5 kg⋅m (525 N⋅m; 387 lbf⋅ft)
2017–2021 Nissan NV3500 HD 375 hp (280 kW)53.5 kg⋅m (525 N⋅m; 387 lbf⋅ft)
2017–2021 Nissan NV Passenger 375 hp (280 kW)53.5 kg⋅m (525 N⋅m; 387 lbf⋅ft)
2017–2024 Nissan Titan 400 hp (298 kW)57.1 kg⋅m (560 N⋅m; 413 lbf⋅ft)
2017–2023 Nissan Armada 390 hp (291 kW)54.6 kg⋅m (535 N⋅m; 395 lbf⋅ft)

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References

  1. "Autocar article about the Super GT Nissan GT-R". Archived from the original on September 27, 2011.
  2. "NISMO Japan's Super GT GT-R spec sheet in Japanese".
  3. "YouTube video of NISMO engineer interview regarding the Super GT Nissan GT-R". YouTube .
  4. Collins, Sam. "GT300 Mother Chassis". Race Car Engineering. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  5. "Iconicweb FX Specs" (PDF).[ permanent dead link ]
  6. "Nissan GT1 GT-R news - GT-R goes GT1 - 20090 - BBC Top Gear". Topgear.com. 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  7. "Nissan Unveils 2013 V8 Supercar Engine". v8supercars.com.au. 2012-09-04. Archived from the original on 2012-11-07. Retrieved 2012-10-28.

See also