Nissan VG engine

Nissan VG engine

Manufacturer	Nissan Motors
Production	1984-2004
Predecessor	Nissan L engine (6-cylinders, I6)
Successor	Nissan VQ engine(6-cylinders, V6)
Configuration	V6
Displacement	2.0L 3.0L 3.3L
Cylinder block alloy	Cast iron
Cylinder head alloy	Aluminum
Valvetrain	SOHC DOHC
Turbocharger	Single Garrett T3 (1984-1987 VG30ET & all VG30DET) Single Garrett T25 (1988-on VG30ET) Twin Garrett/Mitsubishi T22/TB02 (VG30DETT)

The VG engine family consists of V6 piston engines designed and produced by Nissan for several vehicles in the Nissan lineup. The VG series started in 1983 becoming Japan's first mass produced V6 engine. VG engines displace between 2.0 L and 3.3 L and feature an iron block and aluminum heads. The early VG engines featured SOHC, 12 valve heads. A later revision featured a slightly different block, and DOHC, 24 valve heads with Nissan's own version of variable valve timing for a smoother idle and more torque at low to medium engine speeds. The block features a single piece main bearing cap. The production blocks and production head castings were used successfully in the Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo and NPT-90 race cars which won the IMSA GT Championship three years in a row.

The VG series engine found its way into thousands of Nissan vehicles, starting in 1984. The VG design was retired in 2004, by which time all V6-powered Nissans had switched to the VQ engine series.

VG20E

VG20E

The VG20E is a 2.0 L SOHC (1998 cc) engine produced from 1984 on. It produces 126 hp (94 kW).

Applications:

• Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric
• Nissan Leopard

VG20ET

The VG20ET was based on the VG20E, but with a turbocharger. The VG20ET produces 170 hp (130 kW). This SOHC motor debuted at the same time as the VG20E. Also coming with the Y30, this motor was known as the "Jet Turbo", and came with the Nissan Leopard models XS, and XS-II Grand Selection. Contrary to the VG30ET that came out in the US, the VG20ET came with an intercooler in certain models to push the horsepower output to 155 hp (116 kW), a great jump from the normally aspirated VG20E. The turbo included with the VG20ET had two different settings. At low speeds, the turbo's wastegate would stay closed improving the response at low rpm. At high speeds, the flap would stay open, decreasing resistance and increasing exhaust flow. At its maximum flow, the flap would open at an angle of 27-degrees, while the A/R ranged from 0.21–0.77. Being that the VG20ET had a short stroke (78x69.7 mm), it was thought to have insufficient low end torque. Nevertheless, the VG20ET was a great improvement over the VG20E.

It was used in the following vehicles:

• Nissan Leopard (F31) (1986–1988)
• Nissan 200Z (Z31)
• Nissan 200ZG (Z31)
• Nissan 200ZS (Z31)
• Nissan Laurel Medallist (C32)
• Nissan Bluebird (U11 & U12) wagon

VG20DET

The VG20DET is an DOHC 2.0L (1998cc) engine with a ceramic turbocharger and intercooler. It has a bore of 78mm and a stroke of 69.7mm and produces 210 hp (160 kW). This engine features NVCS(Nissans Valve Timing Control System).

It began use in 1987 in the following vehicles:

• Nissan Leopard (F31)
• Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric (Y31)

VG20P

The VG20P is the autogas LPG (Liquified petroleum gas) version of the VG20. It produces 99 PS (73 kW; 98 hp) at 5600 rpm and 149 N·m (110 lb·ft) at 2400 rpm. And later (in 2004-2005) it produces 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 6000 rpm and 152 N·m (112 ft·lbf) at 2400 rpm. It is an OHC 12 valve engine.

It is used in the following vehicles:

1987-1991 Nissan Cedric Y31

VG30S

The VG30S is a 3 L (2,960 cc) SOHC 12 valve engine with an electronic carburetor that produces 148 PS (109 kW; 146 hp) @4800 rpm and 234 N·m (173 ft·lbf) @3600 rpm.

It is used in the following:

• Nissan Cedric Y31

VG30i

The VG30i is a 3 L (2960 cc) engine produced from 1986 through 1989 and featured a throttle body fuel injection system. It has a long crank snout, a cylinder head temperature sensor positioned behind the timing belt cover, and a knock sensor in the cylinder valley (on California models only). It produces 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) @4800 rpm and 226 N·m (167 ft·lbf) @2800 rpm.

Applications:

• 1986-1989 Hardbody Truck
• 1986-1989 Nissan Pathfinder

VG30E

VG30E

The 3.0 L (2960 cc) VG30E produced 153 hp (114 kW) and 182 ft·lbf (247 N·m). Bore is 3.43 in (87 mm) and stroke is 3.27 in (83 mm). In 300ZX form, it produced 160 hp (120 kW) and 173 lb·ft (235 N·m). On April 1987 the "W" series VG30 was released, adding 5 horsepower but leaving torque unchanged. In 1989, the Maxima received the 160 hp (120 kW) rating, but also used a variable intake plenum improving torque to 182 lb·ft (247 N·m) @3200 rpm.

It was used in the following vehicles:

• 1984–1989 Nissan 300ZX/Nissan Fairlady Z (160 hp/165 hp)
• 1984–1989 Nissan Laurel
• 1985–1994 Nissan Maxima (160 hp)
• 1987–1988 Nissan 200SX SE
• 1988–1996 Nissan Homy & Caravan series E24
• 1990–1992 Infiniti M30/Nissan Leopard
• 1990–1995 Hardbody Truck
• 1990–1995 Nissan Pathfinder/Nissan Terrano
• 1992–1999 Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric (179 hp)
• 1992–1998 Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager (modified to become a non-interference design)

VG30ET

VG30ET

The 3.0 L (2960 cc) VG30ET was available in early production with a single Garrett T3 turbocharger (6.7 psi (0.46 bar)) and a 7.8:1 compression ratio. The USDM version produced 200 hp (150 kW) and 227 ft·lbf (308 N·m). In April 1987, the "W"-Series VG30 was released, horsepower was bumped to 205 hp (153 kW). ALL '87 models featured a T3 turbocharger (6.7 psi (0.46 bar)). In 1988 compression ratio changed to 8.3:1 and the turbo changed to a single Garrett T25 turbocharger (4.5 psi (0.31 bar)) to reduce turbo lag. No VG30ET was ever factory equipped with an intercooler as they featured low boost pressure for fast response.

It was used in the following vehicles:

• 1984–1989 Nissan 300ZX Turbo
• Nissan Leopard
• Nissan Laurel c31
• Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric (230 PS)
• Nissan GTP-ZX Turbo Race car (Not-Production)

VG30DE

The first quad cam 24V VG30DE engine was developed for the 1985 MID4 project.^[1]

There are two versions of the VG30DE. The first version was introduced in 1986 on the Japanese 300ZR Z31 and was never sold in North America. This version has only one throttle body, facing the left side of the vehicle. The second version of the VG30DE has two throttle bodies facing the front of the vehicle in the 300ZX / Fairlady Z or two throttle bodies to the left in the sedans.

The 3.0 L (2960 cc) VG30DE produces 222 hp (166 kW) and 198 ft·lbf (268 N·m). Bore is 3.43 in (87 mm) and stroke is 3.27 in (83 mm).

It is used in the following vehicles:

• 1985 Nissan MID4 Concept (Not-Production)
• 1986–1989 Nissan 300ZR
• 1990–1996 Nissan 300ZX Z32
• 1987–1999 Nissan Fairlady Z
• 1993–1998 Infiniti J30 and Nissan Leopard
• 1992–1995 Nissan Gloria and Cedric
• 1989–1991 Nissan Cima

VG30DET

The VG30DET is a 3.0-liter, 24-valve, quad-cam, VTC-equipped engine equipped with a T3 (Nissan N1 Type) 4-bolt Garrett Turbo running between 7.5 and 11.5 psi. Generating up to 255 hp (190 kW) and measuring 236 ft·lbf (320 N·m) per foot depending on boost level, intake manifold, intercooler, and other factors.

While this engine is similar to the VG30DE, it used different heads and inlet manifold. Contrary to popular belief, it was NOT available in the Nissan 300ZR model - the 300ZR only had an early version of the VG30DE (no turbo). The engine was available in the Cedric, Gloria, Cima and Leopard chassis.^[2] It's a single-turbo engine that was used from 1987 through 1995 in Japan and the predecessor for the VG30DETT, the engine that was released in the 1990 300ZX Twin-Turbo.

It was available in the following vehicles:

• Nissan Cedric Y32 (1991–1994)
• Nissan Gloria
• Nissan Cima FY31 (1988–1991)
• Nissan Leopard

VG30DETT

VG30DETT

The VG30DETT was first developed for the 1987 MID4-II and produced 330 PS (240 kW).^[1] It was the last of the 4 valve belt drive DOHC turbocharged engines into production being preceded by the CA18DET and RB20DET.

The production 3.0 L (2960 cc) VG30DETT produces 300 hp (220 kW) and 283 ft·lbf (384 N·m) when mated with a 5 speed manual transmission. When mated with the 4 speed automatic transmission, it was rated at 280 hp (210 kW) and 283 lb·ft (384 N·m) of torque. It featured hybrid twin T22/TB02 turbochargers, twin intercoolers, and NVCS(Nissans Valve Timing Control System). The VG30DETT utilizes an iron block with aluminum heads. It is used in the following vehicles:

• 1987 Nissan MID4-II Concept (Not-Production)
• 1989–2000 Nissan Fairlady Z Twin Turbo
• 1990–1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

VG33E

The VG33E is a 3.3 L (3275 cc) version built in Smyrna, TN. Bore is 91.5 mm (3.60 in) and stroke is 83 mm (3.3 in). Output was 170 hp (134 kW) at 4800 rpm with 202 lb·ft (274 N·m) of torque at 2800 rpm. It has a cast iron engine block and aluminum SOHC cylinder heads. It has sequential fuel injection, two valves per cylinder with self-adjusting hydraulic followers, forged steel connecting rods, a one-piece cast camshaft, and a cast aluminum intake manifold. This engine is still in production in the Nissan Paladin produced by Zhengzhou Nissan for the Chinese Market.

It is used in the following vehicles:

• 1996–2000 Nissan Pathfinder
• 1997–2000 Infiniti QX4
• 1999–2004 Nissan Frontier
• 2000–2004 Nissan Xterra
• 1997–2002 Nissan Elgrand
• 1999–2002 Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager
• 200?–200? Nissan Paladin

VG33ER

The 3.3 L (3275 cc) VG33ER is supercharged and produces 210 hp (157 kW) at 4800 rpm with 246 lb·ft (334 N·m) of torque at 2800 rpm.

It is used in the following vehicles:

• 2001–2004 Nissan Frontier SC
• 2002–2004 Nissan Xterra SC

See also

• List of Nissan engines
• Nissan 200SX SE V6 specifications

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "The NISSAN MID4 Prototypes". Zhome.com. http://www.zhome.com/History/MID-4.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-19. 
2. ^ Answers to Readers Questions By: Sarah Forst NissanPerformanceMag.com - September 2003

External links

• Vee Six Zed: Forget the relatively easy task of dropping a RB-series six into a classic Zed - try the quad-cam VG30DET for a challenge! at AutoSpeed Issue: 368 16 February 2006 by Michael Knowling, Pix by Julian Edgar
• The Nissan VG30DETT - Inside its development AutoSpeed Issue: 469. 28 February 2008. By Julian Edgar.