VQ30DE
Nissan VQ30DE/DET Engine
Nissan VQ30 engine specs
| Manufacturer | Iwaki Plant |
| Also called | VQ30 |
| Production | 1994-2007 |
| Cylinder block alloy | Aluminum |
| Configuration | V6 |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 4 valves per cylinder |
| Piston stroke, mm (inch) | 73.3 (2.89) |
| Cylinder bore, mm (inch) | 93 (3.66) |
| Compression ratio | 9.0 (VQ30DET) 10.0 (VQ30DE) 11.0 (VQ30DD) |
| Displacement | 2987 cc (182.3 cu in) |
| Power output | 141 kW (192 HP) at 6,400 rpm 164 kW (223 HP) at 6,400 rpm 170 kW (231 HP) at 5,800 rpm 180 kW (245 HP) at 6,400 rpm 190 kW (258 HP) at 6,400 rpm 199 kW (270 HP) at 6,000 rpm 206 kW (280 HP) at 6,400 rpm |
| Torque output | 278 Nm (205 lb·ft) at 4,000 rpm 279 Nm (206 lb·ft) at 4,000 rpm 294 Nm (217 lb·ft) at 4,000 rpm 309 Nm (228 lb·ft) at 3,600 rpm 324 Nm (239 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm 367 Nm (271 lb·ft) at 3,600 rpm 386 Nm (285 lb·ft) at 3,600 rpm |
| Redline | – |
| HP per liter | 64.3 74.7 77.3 82.0 86.4 90.4 93.7 |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Weight, kg (lbs) | – |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (mpg) -City -Highway -Combined |
for Infiniti I30 12.0 (20) 8.7 (27) 10.0 (23) |
| Turbocharger | Naturally aspirated 1x Garrett M24 |
| Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles) |
up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles) |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 5W-40 10W-30 10W-40 10W-50 15W-40 15W-50 20W-40 20W-50 |
| Engine oil capacity, L (qt.) | 4.0 (4.2) |
| 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 | Nissan Skyline Nissan Maxima Infiniti I30 Nissan Bassara Nissan Cedric Nissan Cefiro Nissan Cima Nissan Gloria Nissan Leopard Nissan Presage |
Nissan VQ30DE/DET engine reliability, problems and repair
One of the first Nissan VQ engines was produced in 1994 as substitution for VG30DE and VE30DE. The engine VQ30DE has 60° V6 cylinder block and its deck high is 215 mm (as VQ35DE). Inside of the block there is crankshaft with 73.3 mm piston stroke, 147.6 mm connecting rods, 30.7 mm pistons height (heavier than VQ35). Thanks to this set 3.0L displacement was gained.
The block is equipped with two simple aluminium heads, two camshafts per each. VQ30DE cams: duration 232/232 deg, lift 8.55/8.55 mm. The engine has no hydraulic lifters, so every 60,000 miles of mileage (100,000 km) you should regulate the valves. VQ30 firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.
Fuel injectors are 260 cc/min.
In 2000 VQ30DE-K engine appeared, representing the second version of VQ, The main differences between VQ30DE and VQ30DEK: intake manifold, camshafts, fuel injectors (290 cc), exhaust system.
VQ30DEK cams have duration 224/232 deg, lift 8.55/9.0 mm.
Since 1997 to 2004, VQ30DD engine had been produced. It was equipped with direct injection system, and also on those engines modified pistons, variable valve timing system CVTC and variable length intake manifold were used. Such upgrades increased the power to 231-258 HP, depending on a car.
The top versions VQ30DET used Garrett M24 turbocharger, new pistons and connecting rods, another camshafts, modified intake manifold and intake system. Compression ratio on such engines was 9, and boost pressure 7 psi (0.5 bar). It let gaining 280 HP at 6,400 RPM, and torque 386 NM at 3,600 RPM.
All VQ30 engines were equipped with quite reliable and durable timing chain.
Also twin turbo VQ30DETT was produced, but it was not installed on usual civil vehicles.
Besides VQ30, Nissan VQ series includes such engines as VQ40DE, VQ37VHR, VQ35, VQ25, VQ23, VQ20.
VQ30 was produced till 2007, but already since 2000 it was being substituted for VQ35DE.
Nissan VQ30 engine problems and malfunctions
This 3.0L engine is very reliable and durable. Its problems are similar to VQ35, you can know about them HERE.
Besides, sometimes the owners complain of problems with rough idle.
You need to check the intake manifold gasket, it may be necessary to change it. Also check idle air control valve. Coolant gets into it sometimes, what may cause closing.
Nissan VQ30DE engine tuning
N/A build. VQ33DE
This idea is not the best. It will be probably easier and cheaper for you to purchase a faster car. Nevertheless, if for some reason you need to upgrade your VQ30, then we will tell you how.
You should buy JWT cams, 256/256 deg, lift 10.5/10.5 mm (or with similar characteristics), valve springs, and also cold air intake, headers, performance exhaust system and Uprev ECU. It will give you some horsepower and make your V6 sound aggressively.
You can also increase displacement to 3.3L. For this you should buy VQ35 crank with 81.4 piston stroke and 144.2 mm VQ35 rods. You may keep the standard 30.7 mm pistons, but compression ratio will raise to 11. If you add more aggressive camshafts here, some more power will be available.
To reach 300 horsepower, turbo kit will be necessary. For this purpose both the cheap from eBay or the more expensive on basis of Garrett GT2871R would be suitable.
If you have VQ30DET, then all is easier. You need to purchase Mines upgraded ECU (or others), downpipe, intercooler, boost controller, Walbro 255 lph fuel pump. Install these mods on the engine, adjust ECU, and you will get 330+ HP at 14 psi (1.2 bar).
