Production 1994–present Cylinder block alloy Aluminum | Configuration 60° V6 Cylinder head alloy Aluminum | |
 | ||
Manufacturer Nissan (Nissan Machinery) Displacement 2.0L
2.3L
2.5L
3.0L
3.5L
3.7L
4.0L | ||
The VQ is a V6 piston engine produced by Nissan with displacements varying from 2.0 L to 4.0 L. It is an aluminum block DOHC 4-valve (per cylinder) design with aluminum heads. It is fitted with Nissan's EGI/ECCS sequential multi-point fuel injection (MPFI) system. Later versions feature various implementations of variable valve timing and replace MPFI with direct fuel injection (marketed as NEO-Di). The VQ series engine was honored by Ward's 10 Best Engines list almost every year from the list's inception. The VQ series replaced the VG series of engines.
Contents
VQ20DE
This DOHC 24-valve 2.0 L (1,995 cc) V6 has bore and stroke dimensions of 76 mm and 73.3 mm respectively, along with a compression ratio ranging from 9.5 to 10.0:1. It produces 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) to 160 PS (120 kW; 160 hp) @6400 rpm and 137 to 145 lb·ft (186 to 197 N·m) @4400 rpm (lean burn).
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
VQ23DE
The VQ23DE is a 2.3 L (2,349 cc) engine equipped with CVTC (Continuously Variable-valve Timing Control). Bore and stroke are 85 mm and 69 mm, with a compression ratio of 9.8:1. It produces 173 PS (127 kW; 171 hp) @6000 rpm and 166 lb·ft (225 N·m) @4400 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
VQ25DE
This engine is similar to the VQ20DE, but has a 2.5 L (2,495 cc) displacement. Bore and stroke are 85 mm and 73.3 mm, with a compression ratio of 9.8 to 10.3:1. It produces 190 PS (140 kW; 190 hp) to 210 PS (150 kW; 210 hp) @6400 rpm and 174 to 195 lb·ft (236 to 264 N·m) of torque. Later versions produce 186 PS (137 kW; 183 hp) @6000 rpm and 171 lb·ft (232 N·m) @3200 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
VQ25DET
The VQ25DET is a turbocharged 2.5 L (2,495 cc) engine with CVTC. Bore and stroke are 85 mm and 73.3 mm, with a compression ratio of 8.5:1. It produces 280 PS (210 kW; 280 hp) @6400 rpm and 300 lb·ft (410 N·m) @3200 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
VQ30DE
The 3.0 L (2,987 cc) VQ30DE has a bore and stroke of 93 mm and 73.3 mm respectively with a compression ratio of 10.0:1. It produces 193 PS (142 kW; 190 hp) to 230 PS (170 kW; 230 hp) @ 6400 rpm and 205 to 217 lb·ft (278 to 294 N·m) @4400 rpm. The VQ30DE was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list from 1995 through 2001. It is an aluminum open deck block design with microfinished internals and a relatively light weight.
An improved version of the VQ30DE is known by the designation VQ30DE-K. The K designation stands for the Japanese word kaizen which translates to "improvement". The engine was used in the 2000–2001 Nissan Maxima and adds a true dual-runner intake manifold for better high-end performance compared to some earlier Japanese and Middle-East market versions of this engine (2000-2001 Infiniti I30 models added an additional fenderwell intake, boosting power to 227 bhp). The VQ30DEK produces 226 PS (166 kW; 223 hp). The 1995–1999 US spec VQ30DE was equipped with only a single runner intake manifold.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
VQ30DET
The 3.0 L (2,987 cc) VQ30DET is a turbocharged version of the VQ30DE. Bore and stroke remain the same at 93 mm and 73.3 mm respectively, and it has a compression ratio of 9.0:1. It produces 270 PS (200 kW; 270 hp) and 271 lb·ft (367 N·m). From 1998 onwards, it produces 280 PS (210 kW; 280 hp) @6000 rpm and 285 lb·ft (386 N·m) @3600 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
VQ30DETT
The twin-turbo VQ30DETT is an engine used only in Nissan's race cars, primarily in the Super GT (formerly the JGTC). First used on the Skyline GT-R race cars during the 2002 season, this engine subsequently powered the Fairlady Z race cars. Homologation rules allow them to use the VQ30DETT in lieu of the stock VQ35DE. Race output of this engine is estimated at around 480 PS (350 kW; 470 hp).
The VQ30DETT was replaced in 2007 by the VK45DE for use in the Super GT Fairlady Z's and later in the GT-R.
It was utilized in the following vehicles:
VQ35DE
The 3.5 L (3,498 cc) VQ35DE is used in many modern Nissan vehicles. Bore and stroke are 95.5 mm and 81.4 mm. It uses a similar block design to the VQ30DE, but adds variable valve timing (CVTCS). It produces from 231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp) to 304 PS (224 kW; 300 hp) of power and 246 to 274 lb·ft (334 to 371 N·m) of torque depending on the application.
The VQ35DE is built in Iwaki and Decherd, TN. It was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list from 2002 through to 2007 and again in 2016. It features forged steel connecting rods, a microfinished one-piece forged crankshaft, and Nissan's nylon intake manifold technology. It has low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons and the intake is a high-flow tuned induction system. Since its inception Nissan has improved upon the VQ35DE with changes keeping it an efficient class leading V6 engine.
A modified version of the VQ35DE, called the S1, is produced by Nismo (Nissan's motorsports and performance division) for the Fairlady Z S-Tune GT. It produces 300 PS (220 kW; 300 hp) at 7,200 rpm, a higher rev-limit than that of the original VQ35DE. The Nissan 350Z#GT-S by Swiss Tuner Novidem has a VQ35DE equipped with a switchable in house fabricated Novidem supercharger, producing 380PS on stage 1 and 500PS on stage 2.
The VQ35DE is fitted to the following vehicles:
North American
JDM and other markets
VQ40DE
The VQ40DE is a 4.0 L (3,954 cc) longer stroke variant of the VQ35DE. Bore and stroke are 95.5 × 92.0 mm.
Improvements include continuously variable valve timing, variable intake system, silent timing chain, hollow and lighter camshafts and friction reduction (microfinished surfaces, moly coated pistons). It has Nissan's direct ignition system with platinum-tipped spark plugs. It produces 261 hp (195 kW) to 275 hp (205 kW) @5600 rpm and 281 lb·ft (381 N·m) to 288 lb·ft (390 N·m) @4000 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
DD series
It is a variant of DE series engines with direct fuel injection (NEO-Di) and eVTC (electronically controlled continuously variable valve timing).
VQ25DD
The 2.5 L (2,495 cc) engine has Bore and stroke of 85 mm and 73.3 mm respectively, with a compression ratio of 11 to 11.3:1. It produces 209.9 PS (154.4 kW; 207.0 hp) to 215 PS (158 kW; 212 hp) @6400 rpm and 195 to 199 lb·ft (264 to 270 N·m) @4400 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
VQ30DD
The 3.0 L (2,987 cc) engine has Bore and stroke of 93 mm and 73.3 mm, with a compression ratio of 11.0:1. It produces 231.54 PS (170.30 kW; 228.37 hp) to 258.78 PS (190.33 kW; 255.24 hp) @6400 rpm and 217 to 239 lb·ft (294 to 324 N·m) @3600 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
VQ35DD
A larger 3.5L with direct-injection is released for 2017 model year.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
VQ25HR
The 2.5 L VQ25HR (for "High Revolution" or "High Response") is only offered on longitudinally-mounted engine vehicles which tend to be rear wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Bore and stroke are 85 mm and 73.3 mm, with a compression ratio of 10.3:1. It produces 221–228 PS (163–168 kW; 218–225 hp) @6,800 rpm and 194 lb·ft (263 N·m) @4,800 rpm. It has dual CVTC for both intake and exhaust, microfinished camshafts and a redline of 7,500 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
VQ35HR
The VQ35HR engine was first seen in the US with the introduction of the updated 2007 G35 Sedan model, which debuted in August 2006. Nissan updated the VQ line with the addition of the 3.5 L VQ35HR (for "High Revolution"). It produces 315 PS (232 kW; 311 hp) (US market: 306HP using the revised SAE certified power benchmark) at 6,800 rpm and 37 kg·m (363 N·m; 268 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm, using a compression ratio of 10.6:1. As of 2009, the Infiniti EX35 produces 297 hp and the same torque presumably due to tighter regulations. It has NDIS (Nissan Direct Ignition System) and CVTC with hydraulic actuation on the intake cam and electromagnetic on the exhaust cam. Redline is 7,600 rpm. Reportedly over 80% of the internal components were redesigned or strengthened to handle an increased RPM range sporting a lofty 7,600 rpm redline. A new dual-path intake (two air cleaners, throttle bodies, etc.) lowers intake tract restriction by 18 percent and new equal-length exhaust manifolds lead into mufflers that are 25 percent more free-flowing for all around better airflow. The electrically actuated variable valve timing on the exhaust cams to broaden the torque curve is new over the "DE" engine. The new engine block retained the same bore and stroke, but the connecting rods were lengthened and the block deck was raised by 8.4 mm to reduce piston side-loads. This modification, along with the use of larger crank bearings with main bearing caps reinforced by a rigid ladder-type main cap girdle to allow the engine reliably rev to 7600 rpm. With an increase in compression ratio from 10.3:1 to 10.6:1 these changes add 6 more horsepower (306 total + 3 hp ram air effect not measured by SAE testing = 309 hp). Peak torque is up 8 pound-feet from the older "DE" engine (260 vs. 268) and the torque curve is higher and flatter across most of the rpm range, and especially in the lower rpm range. The VQ35HR was utilized in rear-wheel-drive platforms while the VQ35DE continued to power Nissan's front-wheel-drive vehicles. In 2010 Nissan introduced a hybrid version of the VQ35HR, pairing the engine to a lithium-ion battery pack.
The VQ35HR fitted to the following vehicles:
VQ38HR
By 2007, Nissans ambition to increase the competitiveness of the Z33 chassis in Super Taikyu racing resulted in the development of a larger displacement engine based on the original VQ35HR Block. The end result was the VQ38HR powered Nismo Type 380RS-C which went on to dominate ST class 1 racing. The 3.8-liter racing engine in the 380RS-C develops maximum power of more than 294Kw (400PS), and maximum torque of 421N•m (43.0 kg-m). In order to use this new engine in Super GT GT500, limited numbers of the engine were reproduced in the street-legal Fairlady Z Nismo Type 380RS. The VQ38HR engine mounted in the 380RS is a detuned, street version of the racing engine used in the 380RS-C. The engine displacement remains the same, while the intake manifold and exhaust, air-fuel ratio, ignition timing, VTC and other specs have been optimized for street use. The engine produces maximum power of 257Kw (350PS) at 7200 rpm, and maximum torque of 397N•m (40.5 kg-m) at 4800rpm.
The VQ38HR fitted to the following vehicles:
Production
VQ35HR and VQ25HR engines were built at Nissan's Iwaki Plant in Fukushima Prefecture.
VHR series
It is a variation of the VQ-HR engine series with Nissan's VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift).
VQ37VHR
It was the first production engine from Nissan using VVEL. It has a compression ratio of 11.0:1, with 3,696 cc (225.5 cu in) displacement (95.5 mm bore and 86 mm stroke), while redline remains at 7600 rpm. It is rated at up to 355 PS (261 kW; 350 hp) at 7,000 rpm and 37.2 kg·m (365 N·m; 269 lb·ft) at 5200 rpm. Although the engine gains only 0.2 kg·m (2 N·m; 1 lb·ft) peak torque over the VQ35HR and this higher torque arrives at 5200 rpm vs. 4800 in the VQ35HR, the torque curve itself is improved and flattened via VVEL variable valve timing for better throttle response and low rpm torque.
It is fitted into the following vehicles: