Nissan VK engine

Nissan VK

Manufacturer	Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Production	2002–
Predecessor	Nissan VH
Configuration	90° V8
Displacement	4.5L 5.0L 5.6L
Valvetrain	DOHC
Fuel system	Fuel injection

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

The VK56 engine was originally based on Nissan's VQ V6 rather than the VH V8 used in previous Q45/Cima models. Changes include: a variable polymer 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 boost low-end torque or unleash high-end horsepower.

VK45DE

VK45DE

The 4.5 L (4494 cc) VK45DE was introduced in 2002 and is built in Yokohama, Japan. Bore is 93 mm (3.7 in) and stroke is 82.7 mm (3.26 in). Output is 340 hp (254 kW) at 6400 rpm with 333 lb·ft (451 Nm) of torque at 4000 rpm. Redline is at 6600 rpm. It has an aluminum engine block and aluminum DOHC cylinder heads. It uses SFI, has 4 valves per cylinder with VVT and features forged steel connecting rods, 4 one-piece cast camshafts, and an unusual variable-flow induction system optimizes airflow for low- and high-speed operation and low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons and microfinished 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. The VK45DE was previously used in Nissan's 350Z Super GT car, replacing the previous VQ30DETT used in that car in 2007. In race trim, the Super GT VK45DE produces 500 PS (490 hp) and 52 kg·m (510 N·m; 380 lb·ft) of torque. The engine idles at around 3500 RPM and is restricted to the above specified power output. Without such restrictions, the engine is reputedly capable of producing nearly 800 PS (790 hp). Nismo reasons that by using the engine, they eliminate turbo-lag, save weight and generally prefer the torque curve of the atmospheric V8.

This engine is used in the following vehicles:

• 2002–2006 Infiniti Q45, 340 hp (250 kW)
• 2003–2008 Infiniti FX45, 315 hp (235 kW) and 329 lbf·ft (446 N·m)
• 2003–2004 Infiniti M45, 340 hp (250 kW) and 333 lbf·ft (451 N·m)
• 2006–2010 Infiniti M45, 325 hp (242 kW) and 340 lbf·ft (460 N·m)
• 2004–2010 Nissan Fuga 450 GT, 333 hp (248 kW) and 340 lbf·ft (460 N·m)
• 2003–2010 Nissan President 280 bhp (280 PS) and 333 lbf·ft (451 N·m)
• 2007 Super GT Nissan 350Z, 490 hp (370 kW) and 380 lbf·ft (520 N·m) (Non-Production)
• 2008 Super GT Nissan GT-R, 490 hp (370 kW) and 380 lbf·ft (520 N·m) (Non-Production)
• 2011-2013 Various LMP2 racing cars 450 hp (340 kW) 430 lbf·ft (580 N·m) (Non-Production)

VK45DD

The VK45DD is the same as the VK45DE but adds an direct injection fuel system. This was Nissans first V8 with direct injection. It produces (officially) 280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp) @6000 rpm and 451 N·m (333 lbf·ft) @3600 rpm. But it has unofficially over 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp). It has a compression ratio of 11.0.

It was used in the following:

• 2001–2010 Nissan Cima

VK50VE (5026 cc)

Nissan VK50VE Engine.

The VK50VE is a 5.0 L V8 engine with 390 hp @6500 rpm and 500 N·m (370 lb·ft) @4400 rpm and redline is at 6800 rpm. Bore x stroke (mm) are 95.5 x 87.7 and compression ratio is 10.9:1. It has Nissans VVEL technology.

Applications:

• 2009–present Infiniti FX50

VK56DE

Nissan VK56DE engine.

The VK56DE is a 5.6 L (5552 cc) version built in Decherd, Tennessee. Bore is 98 mm (3.9 in) and stroke is 92 mm (3.6 in). Output is 317 hp - 320 hp (227 kW) at 4900 rpm with 385 to 393 lb·ft (522-533 Nm) of torque at 3600 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 also uses the VK56DE for FIA GT1 racing. In race trim, it produces 600 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque.

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 4,990cc to fit the V8 Supercars regulations. It has a bore and stroke of 102.69mm x 75.31mm. It will be fitted to a Nissan Altima version of the V8 Supercars "Car of the Future" specification that will compete from 2013 onwards.

Applications:

• 2004–present Nissan Armada, 317 hp (236 kW) and 385 lb·ft (522 N·m)
• 2004–present Nissan Titan, 317 hp (236 kW) and 385 lb·ft (522 N·m)
• 2004–2010 Infiniti QX56, 320 hp (240 kW) and 393 lb·ft (533 N·m)
• 2010–present Nissan Patrol, 320 hp (240 kW) and 393 lb·ft (533 N·m)
• 2008–2012 Nissan Pathfinder, 310 hp (230 kW) and 388 lb·ft (526 N·m)
• 2012–present Nissan NV2500 HD, 317 hp (236 kW) and 385 lb·ft (522 N·m)
• 2012–present Nissan NV3500 HD, 317 hp (236 kW) and 385 lb·ft (522 N·m)
• 2012–present Nissan NV Passenger, 317 hp (236 kW) and 385 lb·ft (522 N·m)
• 2009–present Nissan GT-R GT1, 600 hp (450 kW) and 479 lb·ft (649 N·m) (Non-Production)
• 2013-onwards Nissan Altima, V8 Supercars Australia, 650 hp (480 kW) (Non-Production)

Notes:

• The Titan, Armada, and Pathfinder power figures are for regular 87 octane fuel. The 320 hp (240 kW) Infiniti QX56 is tuned more for premium (91+ octane) fuel.
• Some VK56DE powered vehicles are E85 capable.

VK56VD

Nissan/Infiniti VK56VD Engine.

The VK56VD is a 5.6 L (5552 cc) 32-valve, DOHC, Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG) aluminum-alloy V8 and features Nissan's advanced 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. In the Infiniti M56, it is rated at 420 hp (310 kW) and 417 lbf·ft (565 N·m) of torque. The engine is built at Nissan's Yokohama Engine facility.

Applications:

• 2010–present Nissan Patrol, 400 hp (300 kW) and 413 lbf·ft (560 N·m)
• 2011–present Infiniti QX, 400 hp (300 kW) and 413 lbf·ft (560 N·m)
• 2011–present Infiniti M56, 420 hp (310 kW) and 417 lbf·ft (565 N·m)

See also

• List of Nissan engines
• Nissan VRH Racing Engines
• Infiniti
• Nissan