VH45DE
Nissan VH45DE Engine
Nissan VH45DE engine specs
| Manufacturer | Yokohama Plant |
| Also called | Nissan VH45 |
| Production | 1989-2002 |
| Cylinder block alloy | Aluminum |
| Configuration | V8 |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 4 valves per cylinder |
| Piston stroke, mm (inch) | 82.7 (3.26) |
| Cylinder bore, mm (inch) | 93 (3.66) |
| Compression ratio | 10.2 |
| Displacement | 4494 cc (274.2 cu in) |
| Power output | 207 kW (280 HP) at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque output | 396 Nm (292 lb·ft) at 4,000 rpm |
| Redline | 6,900 |
| HP per liter | 62.3 |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Weight, kg (lbs) | – |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (mpg) -City -Highway -Combined |
for Infiniti Q45 16.8 (14) 11.8 (20) 14.7 (16) |
| Turbocharger | Naturally aspirated |
| Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles) |
up to 1.0 (1 qt. per 600 miles) |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 5W-40 10W-30 10W-40 |
| Engine oil capacity, L (qt.) | 5.6 (5.9) |
| Oil change interval, km (miles) | 5,000-10,000 (3,000-6,000) |
| Normal engine operating temperature, °C (F) | – |
| Engine lifespan, km (miles) -Official information -Real |
– 400,000+ (250,000) |
| Tuning, HP -Max HP -No life span loss |
300+ – |
| The engine is installed in | Infiniti Q45 Nissan President |
Nissan VH45DE engine reliability, problems and repair
VH45DE engine first appeared in 1989 and was installed on Infiniti Q45, having changed Y44. It has aluminium 90° V8 cylinder block, 220.35 mm in height, and cylinders diameter is 93 mm. Inside there is forged crankshaft with 82.7 mm piston stroke, 147 mm forged connecting rods. Piston compression high is 32 mm, and compression ratio is 10.2.
This block is covered with two aluminium DOHC cylinder heads. They use variable valve timing system on intake camshafts, and also they are equipped with hydraulic lifters. Intake valves diameter is 38 mm, the exhaust are 33 mm. VH45 cams: duration 248/248 deg, lift 9.9/9.9 mm. This engine uses single-row timing chain. It is quite reliable and usually does not cause any problems. VH45DE fuel injectors are 370 cc.
4.1L VH41DE was produced on basis of this engine.
VH45DE was discontinued in 2002 and replaced with more modern VK45DE.
Nissan VH45DE engine problems and malfunctions
This is a very reliable engine, but still it has some small troubles. First, it is plastic timing chain guide, which often brakes after 100,000-120,000 miles of mileage (150,000-200,000 km). Certainly, your car might drive more than 120,000 miles of mileage (200,000 km), so you should check timing chain guide from time to time or change it for metallic. Second, VH45 uses not quite reliable MAF-sensor and knock sensor.
All the other failures of the engine are connected with its age. If you use high quality engine oil and serve the engine regularly, then it will not let you down.
Nissan VH45DE engine tuning
N/A Build
For the beginning you can do the simplest things, such as purchasing aftermarket ECU, 4-1 headers, 3” exhaust system and cold air intake. Then you should install all this and adjust properly, and as the result, you will get about 320-330 horsepower. It must be enough, as the engine has much torque, and yet outstanding V8 sound will add.
You can gain some more power, having made regrind of OEM camshafts and adjusted ECU accordingly. Then you should buy performance intake manifold with big throttle body, and also high compression pistons. Such VH45DE engine will be able to reach 400+ horsepower. You will not find any turbo kits or supercharger kits in sale. Therefore, if you wish really impressive power, you will have doing everything manually and spending a lot of money.
