The VK engine is a V8piston engine from Nissan. It is an aluminum DOHC4-valve design. The VK56 engine was originally based on Nissan's VQV6 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 optimise low-end torque or high-end horsepower.
VK45DE
The VK45DE was introduced in 2002 and is built in Yokohama, Japan. Bore and stroke is. Output is at 6,400 rpm with 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 valves per cylinder with VVT 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 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 VR38DETTtwin-turboV6 engine. 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 and of torque. 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. Nismo reasons that by using the engine, they eliminate turbo lag, save weight and generally prefer the torque curve of the atmospheric V8.
Applications
VK45DD
The VK45DD is a V8 engine that is very similar to the VK45DE but adds a direct injectionfuel system. This was Nissan's first V8 with direct injection. It officially produces at 6,000 rpm and at 3,600 rpm, but it has unofficially over. It has a compression ratio of 11.0:1, and a bore and stroke of.
The VK56DE is a version built in Decherd, Tennessee. Bore and stroke is. Output is at 4,900 rpm with 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 design with a continuously variable valve timing control system on the intake valves. It also has 4 valves per cylinder with micro-finished camshafts and ductile iron cylinder liners for increased durability.
Motorsport
also uses the VK56DE for FIA GT1 racing. In race trim, it produces and 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 to fit the V8 Supercars regulations. It has a bore and stroke of. 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
Notes:
The Titan, Armada, and Pathfinder power figures are for regular 87 octane fuel. The Infiniti QX56 & Nissan Patrol are tuned for premium fuel.
The VK56VD is a 32-valve, DOHC, Direct Injection Gasoline aluminum-alloy V8 and features Nissan's advanced VVEL. 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.
