Nissan VQ engine


The VQ is a family of V6 automobile petrol engines developed by Nissan and produced in displacements varying from 2.0 L to 4.0 L. Designed to replace the VG series, the all-aluminium 4-valve per cylinder DOHC design debuted with Nissan's EGI/ECCS sequential multi-point fuel injection system. Changes from the VG engine include switching to a timing chain from a timing belt, and relocating the water pump from the outside of the engine to inside the timing cover where the pump is driven by the timing chain. Later versions featured various improvements, such as variable valve timing, and NEO-Di designated VQ engines replace MPFI with direct fuel injection.
The VQ series engine was honored in a record 14-straight selections by Ward's 10 Best Engines from the list's inception until 2008.

Versions

1st gen
  • VQ20DE
  • VQ25DE 1st

    DE series

VQ20DE

The VQ20DE is an aluminium block, aluminium head, DOHC 24-valve V6, with a bore and stroke and compression ratio ranging from 9.5 to 10.0:1. In base form it produces to at 6400 rpm and at 4400 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
The VQ23DE displaces 2.3 L. Bore and stroke are, and compression ratio is 9.8:1. It produces at 6000 rpm and at 4400 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
The VQ25DE is similar to the VQ20DE, but is.5 L larger, at displacement. Bore and stroke are, with a compression ratio of 9.8 to 10.3:1. It produces at 6400 rpm and of torque. Later versions produce at 6000 rpm and at 3200 rpm. In some Nissans, this engine was replaced by the QR25DE.
The VQ25DET is a turbocharged engine with CVTC. Bore and stroke are, with a compression ratio of 8.5:1. It produces at 6400 rpm and at 3200 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
  • 2001–2004 Nissan Stagea 250t RS FOUR V, 250t RX FOUR, AR-X FOUR and Autech AXIS

    VQ30DE

VQ30DE
displacement2,988 cc
bore & stroke93 mm × 73.3 mm
compression ratio10.0:1
produces PS193 ~ 230 at 6400rpm
produces torque 28.35 ~ 29.98 @ 4400rpm
produces torque 278 ~ 294 at 4400rpm

The VQ30DE has a bore and stroke of respectively with a compression ratio of 10.0:1. It produces to at 6400 rpm and at 4400 rpm. The VQ30DE was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list from 1995 through 2001. It is an aluminium 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. The VQ30DEK produces. The 1995–1999 US spec VQ30DE was equipped with only a single runner intake manifold.
The VQ30DET is a turbocharged version of the VQ30DE. Bore and stroke remain the same at respectively, and it has a compression ratio of 9.0:1. It produces and. From 1998 onwards, it produces at 6000 rpm and at 3600 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
  • 1995–2004 Nissan Gloria Y33, Y34
  • 1995–2004 Nissan Cedric Y33, Y34
  • 1996–1999 Nissan Leopard Y33
  • 1996–2001 Nissan Cima Y33
  • 2001–2007 Nissan Cima F50

    VQ30DETT

The twin-turbo VQ30DETT is an engine used only in Nissan's race cars, primarily in the Super GT. 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.
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:
  • 2002–2003 Skyline GT-R JGTC race cars
  • 2004 Fairlady Z JGTC race cars
  • 2005–2006 Fairlady Z Super GT race cars

    VQ35DE

The VQ35DE is used in many modern Nissan vehicles. Bore and stroke are. It uses a similar block design to the VQ30DE, but adds variable valve timing for the intake. It produces from of power and 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. The engine was updated in 2005 as the VQ35DE Rev-Up. It included variable exhaust timing, a higher rev limit, and a revised oil pump, boosting the output to 297 crank horsepower.
A modified version of the VQ35DE, called the S1, is produced by Nismo for the Fairlady Z S-Tune GT. It produces at 7,500 rpm, a higher rev-limit than that of the original VQ35DE.
North American
YearsModelPower output
2001–2004Nissan Pathfinder
2013–2016Nissan Pathfinder
2001–2003Infiniti QX4
2001–2004Infiniti I35
2002–2018Nissan Altima
2002–2023Nissan Maxima
2002–2006Nissan 350Z
2002–2007Infiniti G35 Coupe
2002–2006Infiniti G35 Sedan
2002–2008Infiniti FX35
2002–2024Nissan Murano
2003–2016Nissan Quest
2004–2008Infiniti M35
2012–2013Infiniti JX35
2013–2016Infiniti QX60

JDM and other markets
YearsModelPower output
2000–presentNissan Elgrand
2001–2007Nissan Stagea and above
2001–2009Renault Vel Satis
2002–2006Nissan Skyline 350GT Sedan
2003–2007Nissan Skyline 350GT Coupe
2003–2018Nissan Teana/Cefiro
2003–2009Nissan Presage
2003–2014Renault Espace
2003–2004Tatuus Formula V6, Formula Renault V6 Eurocup
2004–2007Nissan Fuga 350 GT
2005–2006Nismo Fairlady Z S-Tune GT
2006–2020Renault Samsung SM7
2008–2015Renault Laguna Coupé
2009Renault Mégane Trophy
2010–2015Renault Latitude
2012Alpine A110-50

VQ40DE

The VQ40DE is a longer stroke variant of the VQ35DE. Bore and stroke are. Compression ratio is 9.7:1
Improvements include continuously variable valve timing, variable length/volume intake system, silent timing chain, hollow and lighter camshafts and friction reduction. It is port fuel injected with platinum-tipped spark plugs. It produces at 5600 rpm and at 4000 rpm.
YearsModelPower outputTorque
2005–2019Nissan Frontier at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2005–2015Nissan Xterra at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2005–2012Nissan Pathfinder at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2009–2013Suzuki Equator at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2012–2021Nissan NV1500 at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2012–2021Nissan NV2500 HD at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2012–2021Nissan NV Passenger at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2017–2024Nissan Patrol at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm

DD series

The DD series is a variant of the DE series engines with direct fuel injection and eVTC.

VQ25DD

The 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 at 6400 rpm and at 4400 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
  • 1999–2002 Nissan Cefiro A33,
  • 1999–2004 Nissan Cedric/Nissan Gloria
  • 2001–2006 Nissan Skyline V35 250GT,
  • 2001–2007 Nissan Stagea M35,