Nissan VK Engine - VK45DE

The 4.5 L (4494 cc) VK45DE was introduced in 2002 and is built in Yokohama, Japan. Bore is 93 mm (3.7 in) and stroke is 82.7 mm (3.26 in). Output is 340 hp (254 kW) at 6400 rpm with 333 lb·ft (451 Nm) of torque at 4000 rpm. Redline is at 6600 rpm. It has an aluminum engine block and aluminum DOHC cylinder heads. It uses SFI, has 4 valves per cylinder with VVT and features forged steel connecting rods, 4 one-piece cast camshafts, and an unusual variable-flow induction system optimizes airflow for low- and high-speed operation and low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons and microfinished crankshaft.

Motorsport

A flat-plane crankshaft version of the VK45DE is used by Nismo for Super GT races with the Nissan GT-R instead of using the GT-R's VR38DETT twin-turbo V6 engine. The VK45DE was previously used in Nissan's 350Z Super GT car, replacing the previous VQ30DETT used in that car in 2007. In race trim, the Super GT VK45DE produces 500 PS (490 hp) and 52 kg·m (510 N·m; 380 lb·ft) of torque. The engine idles at around 3500 RPM and is restricted to the above specified power output. Without such restrictions, the engine is reputedly capable of producing nearly 800 PS (790 hp). Nismo reasons that by using the engine, they eliminate turbo-lag, save weight and generally prefer the torque curve of the atmospheric V8.

This engine is used in the following vehicles:

• 2002–2006 Infiniti Q45, 340 hp (250 kW)
• 2003–2008 Infiniti FX45, 315 hp (235 kW) and 329 lbf·ft (446 N·m)
• 2003–2004 Infiniti M45, 340 hp (250 kW) and 333 lbf·ft (451 N·m)
• 2006–2010 Infiniti M45, 325 hp (242 kW) and 340 lbf·ft (460 N·m)
• 2004–2010 Nissan Fuga 450 GT, 333 hp (248 kW) and 340 lbf·ft (460 N·m)
• 2003–2010 Nissan President 280 bhp (280 PS) and 333 lbf·ft (451 N·m)
• 2007 Super GT Nissan 350Z, 490 hp (370 kW) and 380 lbf·ft (520 N·m)
• 2008 Super GT Nissan GT-R, 490 hp (370 kW) and 380 lbf·ft (520 N·m)
• 2011-2012 Various LMP2 racing cars 450 hp (340 kW) 430 lbf·ft (580 N·m)