VQ40DE
Nissan VQ40DE Engine
Nissan VQ40 engine specs
| Manufacturer | Decherd Powertrain Plant |
| Also called | VQ40 |
| Production | 2005-present |
| Cylinder block alloy | Aluminum |
| Configuration | V6 |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 4 valves per cylinder |
| Piston stroke, mm (inch) | 92 (3.62) |
| Cylinder bore, mm (inch) | 95.5 (3.76) |
| Compression ratio | 9.7 |
| Displacement | 3954 cc (241.3 cu in) |
| Power output | 195 kW (265 HP) at 5,600 rpm 198 kW (269 HP) at 5,600 rpm |
| Torque output | 381 Nm (281 lb·ft) at 4,000 rpm 390 Nm (288 lb·ft) at 4,000 rpm |
| Redline | – |
| HP per liter | 67.0 68.0 |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Weight, kg (lbs) | – |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (mpg) -City -Highway -Combined |
for Pathfinder 18.7 (13) 10.5 (22) 13.5 (17) |
| Turbocharger | Naturally aspirated |
| 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 |
| Engine oil capacity, L (qt.) | 5.1 (5.4) |
| 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 |
400+ – |
| The engine is installed in | Nissan Pathfinder Nissan Xterra Nissan Frontier Nissan NV Suzuki Equator |
Nissan VQ40DE engine reliability, problems and repair
This largest VQ representative was designed in 2005 specially for SUV and produced in US only. It was developed on basis of VQ35HR cylinder block with enlarged height, camshaft with 92 mm piston stroke inside, and new connecting rods. Also the cylinder block was covered with somewhat modified VQ35DE heads. On intake camshafts these heads use variable valve timing system C-VTC. VQ40 cams have duration 240/244 deg, lift 10.0/9.6 mm. This engine has not been equipped with hydraulic lifters, so be ready to regulate the valves every 60,000 miles of mileage (100,000 km).
Also these engines use electronic throttle body, long plastic intake manifold and modified exhaust system.
They are equipped with quite reliable timing chain, it will not cause any problems. VQ40DE firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.
Besides this engine, VQ series also included such models as VQ37, VQ35, VQ30, VQ25, VQ23 and VQ20.
Nissan VQ40DE engine problems and malfunctions
The problems of this engine are similar to VQ35DE/VQ35HR. You can learn about them HERE.
Nissan VQ40DE engine tuning
Supercharger
Do not try turning it into high rev naturally aspirated engine, since it is created as low RPM motor for SUVs. The most reasonable way is buying VQ40 supercharger kit. Usually the one by Stillen is used. It lets gaining 90 HP more on stock internals. It will be more than enough for your SUV.
You may also add performance exhaust system and some more aggressive cams, what will give 20-30 HP yet. But more likely these performance parts are excessive.
