| Nissan VK | |
| Manufacturer: | Nissan (Nissan Machinery) |
| Production: | 2002–present |
| Configuration: | 90° V8 |
| Block: | Aluminium |
| Head: | Aluminium |
| Displacement: | 4494cc 5026cc 5552cc |
| Bore: | 93mm 95.5mm 982NaN2 |
| Stroke: | 82.7mm 87.7mm 922NaN2 |
| Power: | NaN1NaN1 |
| Torque: | NaN1NaN1 |
| Predecessor: | Nissan VH |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC 4 valves x cyl. with CVTCS and VVEL (some versions) |
| Compression: | 11.0:1, 10.9:1 |
| Fuelsystem: | SFI, GDI |
| Fueltype: | Gasoline |
| Coolingsystem: | Water cooled |
| Similar: | Jaguar AJ-V8 Ford Modular V8 Ford/Yamaha V8 GM Premium V Mercedes-Benz M113/M155 BMW M62 BMW N62 Toyota UZ 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.
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.
The 44941NaN1 VK45DE was introduced in 2002 and is built in Yokohama, Japan. Bore and stroke is NaNmm. Output is 340hp at 6,400 rpm with 46abbr=on0abbr=on 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 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.
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 5000NaN0 and 52kgm 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 8000NaN0.[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]
| Years | Model | Power output | Torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–2006 | 340hp | 46kgm | ||
| 2003–2008 | 320hp | 45.5kgm | ||
| 2003–2004 | 340hp | 46kgm | ||
| 2006–2010 | 325hp | 47kgm | ||
| 2004–2010 | Nissan Fuga 450 GT | 333hp | 47kgm | |
| 2003–2010 | 276hp | 46kgm | ||
| 2007 | 490hp | 52.5kgm (Non-Production) | ||
| 2008-2009 | 490hp | 52.5kgm (Non-Production) | ||
| 2011–2016 | Various LMP2 racing cars | 450hp | 59.4kgm (Non-Production) | |
| 2014–present | Super GT "Mother Chassis" cars | 450hp | 59.4kgm (Non-Production) |
The VK45DD is a 44941NaN1 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 2800NaN0 at 6,000 rpm and 46kgm at 3,600 rpm, but it has unofficially over 3000NaN0. It has a compression ratio of 11.0:1, and a bore and stroke of NaNmm.
The VK50VE is a 50261NaN1 V8 engine with 390hp at 6,500 rpm and 51kgm at 4,400 rpm and redline is set at 6,800 rpm. Bore x stroke are NaNmm 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]
The VK56DE is a 55521NaN1 version built in Decherd, Tennessee. Bore and stroke is NaNmm. Output is 317- at 4,900 rpm with 522to 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.
Nismo used the VK56DE for FIA GT1 racing in the Nissan GT-R GT1 from 2010 to 2011. In race trim, it produced 600hp and 650Nm 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 49901NaN1 to fit the V8 Supercars regulations. It has a bore and stroke of NaNmm. It was fitted to a Nissan Altima version of the V8 Supercars "Car of the Future" specification that competed from 2013 until 2019.[7]
| Years | Model | Power output | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–2015 | 305to | 53.2kgm | |
| 2004–2015 | 305to | 52.5to | |
| 2004–2010 | 315to | 54to | |
| 2010–2016 | 320hp | 54.4kgm | |
| 2008–2012 | 310hp | 53.5kgm | |
| 2012–2016 | 317hp | 53.2kgm | |
| 2012–2016 | 317hp | 53.2kgm | |
| 2012–2016 | 317hp | 53.2kgm | |
| 2009–2011 | 600hp | 66.3kgm (Non-Production) | |
| 2013–2019 | 650hp | 67kgm (Non-Production) | |
| 2020- | Various LMP3 racing cars | 420bhp (Non-production) |
Notes:
The VK56VD is a 55521NaN1 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.
| Years | Model | Power output | Torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–present | 400hp | 57.1kgm | ||
| 2016–present | 428hp | 57.6kgm | ||
| 2011–2024 | 400hp | 57.1kgm | ||
| 2011–2013 | 420hp | 57.6kgm | ||
| 2014–2019 | 420to | 57.1to | ||
| 2017–2021 | 375hp | 53.5kgm | ||
| 2017–2021 | 375hp | 53.5kgm | ||
| 2017–2021 | 375hp | 53.5kgm | ||
| 2017–2024 | 400hp | 57.1kgm | ||
| 2017–present | 390hp | 54.6kgm |