Nissan VG engine

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 head. The early VG30 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 increased high RPM efficiency. The block is a particularly strong design with a single piece main bearing cap, and is capable of reliably supporting more than 1000hp. The production blocks and production head castings were used successfully in the Nissan IMSA cars in the 80's and 90's.

The VG series engine found its way into thousands of Nissan vehicles, starting in 1984. The VG design was retired in 2004, as all models received the VQ series engine instead.


VG20E

The VG20E is a 2 L (1998 cc) engine produced from 1984 on. It produces 126 hp.

Applications:

* Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric
* Nissan Leopard
* Nissan Fairlady Z


VG20ET

The VG20ET is the same as the VG20E, but with turbocharger. The VG20ET produces 170 hp.

It was used in the following vehicles:

* Nissan 200Z (Z31)
* Nissan 200ZG (Z31)
* Nissan 200ZS (Z31)


VG20DET

The VG20DET is an 2,0L engine with DOHC and a turbocharger. It produces 210 hp.

It was used 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 @5600 rpm and 149 nm @2400 rpm. It is an OHC 12 valve engine.

It is used in the following vehicles:

1987-1991 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.

Applications:

* 1986-1989 Hardbody Truck
* 1986-1989 Nissan Pathfinder


VG30E

The 3.0 L (2960 cc) VG30E produced 153 hp and 182 ft.lbf. Bore is 3.43 in (87 mm) and stroke is 3.27 in (83 mm). In 300ZX form, it produced 160hp and 174lb-ft. 1988 saw the 300ZX gain 5 more horses for a total of 165; however, torque ratings remained the same. In 1989, the Maxima received the 160hp rating, but also used a variable intake plenum that let it make 182lb-ft@3200rpm. Strangely, the 300ZX never received the variable intake plenum.

It was used in the following vehicles:

* 1984–1989 Nissan 300ZX/Nissan Fairlady Z
* 1987–1988 Nissan 200SX SE
* 1984–1994 Nissan Maxima
* 1990–1991 Infiniti M30/Nissan Leopard
* 1990–1996 Hardbody Truck
* 1990–1995 Nissan Pathfinder/Nissan Terrano
* 1992–1999 Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric (179 hp)
* 1992–1995 Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager (modified to become a non-interference design)


VG30ET

The 3.0 L (2960 cc) VG30ET was available in early production with a single Garrett T3 turbocharger and a 7.8:1 compression ratio. The USDM version produced 200 hp and 227 ft.lbf. In 1988 it changed to a single Garrett T25 turbocharger and an 8.3:1 compression ratio to reduce turbo lag, and was bumped to 205 hp and 227 ft.lbf. 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
* 1984–1986 Nissan Fairlady Z
* Nissan Leopard
* Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric


VG30DE

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

It is used in the following vehicles:

* 1990–1996 Nissan 300ZX
* 1987–1999 Nissan Fairlady Z
* 1988 Nissan 200zx (similar chassis to the 300zx, different panels
* 1993–1998 Infiniti J30 and Nissan Leopard J. Ferie
* 1992–1995 Nissan Gloria and Cedric
* 1989–1991 Nissan Cima


VG30DET

The VG30DET is the same as the VG30DE, but with a single ceramic turbo. It produces 255 hp. It was used in the Nissan Leopard (F31)

As well as the Nissan Cima, Gloria, Cedric (y31).


VG30DETT

The 3.0 L (2960 cc) VG30DETT produces 280 hp and 283 ft.lbf when mated with a 4 speed automatic transmission. When used with a 5spd manual transmission, it was rated at 300hp and 283tq. It featured twin T25 turbochargers, twin intercoolers and variable valve timing.

It is used in the following vehicles:

* 1990–1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
* 1990–1999 Nissan Fairlady Z Twin Turbo


VG33E

The VG33E is a 3.3 L (3275 cc) version built in Smyrna, TN. Bore is 91.5 mm and stroke is 83 mm. Output is 180 hp (134 kW) at 4800 RPM with 202 ft.lbf (274 Nm) of torque at 2800 RPM. It has a cast iron engine block and aluminum SOHC cylinder heads. It uses SFI fuel injection, has 2 valves per cylinder with roller followers and features forged steel connecting rods, a one-piece cast camshaft, and a cast aluminum intake manifold.

It is used in the following vehicles:

* 1996–1999 Nissan Pathfinder
* 2000–2004 Nissan Frontier
* 2000–2004 Nissan Xterra
* 1998–2004 Nissan Elgrand
* 1999–2002 Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager


VG33ER

The 3.3 L (3275 cc) VG33ER or VG33S is supercharged and produces 210 hp (157 kW) at 4800 RPM with 246 ft.lbf (334 Nm) of torque at 2800 RPM.

It is used in the following vehicles:

* 2001–2004 Nissan Frontier SC
* 2001–2004 Nissan Xterra SC