Nissan VQ engine

The VQ engine is a 2.0 L to 4.0 L V6 piston engine from Nissan. It is an aluminum DOHC 4-valve design. Later versions feature variable valve timing. This engine is widely considered to be the world's benchmark V6 engine for its combination of smoothness, reliability and high power output.

VQ20DE

This DOHC 24-valve 2.0 L V6 produces 155 to 160 hp (116 to 119 kW) and 137 to 145 ft.lbf (186 to 197 Nm). It is fitted to the following vehicles:

• 1994-2002 Nissan Cefiro A32 and A33
• 1995-1999 Nissan QX A32

VQ23DE

The VQ23DE produces 127 kW (173 hp) and 225 Nm.

It is used in following vehicles:

• Nissan Teana

VQ25DE

Similar to VQ20DE, but with 2.5 L displacement. It produces 187 hp (139 kW) and 174 ft.lbf (236 Nm). Fitted to the following:

• 1994-1998 Nissan Cefiro A32

VQ25DD

The 2.5 L VQ25DD uses direct fuel injection, and produces 207 hp (154 kW) and 195 ft.lbf (264 Nm), is used in the following vehicles:

• 1999-2002 Nissan Cefiro A33 (JDM)
• 2001-2005 Nissan Skyline V35, 212 hp (158 kW)

VQ25DET

factory turbocharged VQ25DE, simmilar numbers to the VQ35DE

VQ30DD

The 3.0 L VQ30DD features direct injection and produces 240 hp (179 kW) and 227 ft.lbf (308 Nm).

• 2002-2005 Nissan Skyline V35, 256 hp (191 kW)

VQ30DE

The 3.0 L VQ30DE produces 190 to 227 hp (142 to 169 kW) and 205 to 217 ft.lbf (277 to 294 Nm). The VQ30DE was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 1995 through 2001. It is an aluminum open deck block design with microfinished internals and relatively light weight. While the VQ is an award winning engine, its predecessor, the VE30DE, is regarded as a superior powerplant. Unfortunately, Nissan fell on hard financial times and could no longer afford to produce the expensive VE. Instead, they turned to the VQ as a cost cutting measure.

The improved VQ30DE used from 2000-2001 adds a true dual-runner intake manifold for better high-end performance compared to some earlier Japanese and Middle-East market versions of this engine. The 1995-1999 US spec VQ30DE was equipped with only a single runner intake manifold.

It is used in the following vehicles:

• 1995-1999 Nissan QX A32
• 1994-1998 Nissan Cefiro A32, 217 hp (162 kW) and 206 ft.lb (279 Nm)
• 1995-1999 Nissan Maxima, 190 hp (142 kW) and 214 ft.lb (291 Nm)
• 1996-1999 Infiniti I30, 190 hp (142 kW)
• 2000-2001 Nissan Maxima, 222 hp (166 kW)
• 2000-2001 Infiniti I30, 227 hp (169 kW)
• Nissan Bassara
• 1998-2002 Nissan Presage

VQ30DET

The 3.0 L VQ30DET is a turbocharged version. It produces 270 and 280 (from 1997)  hp (209 kW) and 285 ft.lbf (386 Nm).

It is used in the following vehicles:

• Nissan Gloria Y33,Y34
• Nissan Cedric Y33,Y34
• Nissan Leopard Y33

VQ30DE-K

The VQ30DE-K is a 3,0 L engine.It produces 222 hp.

It is used in the following vehicles:

• 2000-2001 Nissan Maxima

VQ35DE

The 3.5 L (3498 cc) VQ35DE is used in many modern Nissan vehicles. It adds variable valve timing and has a bore of 95.5 mm and stroke of 81.4 mm. Output ranges from 240 hp to 300 hp (179 to 224 kW) and 246 ft.lbf to 287 ft.lbf (334 to 390 Nm).

The VQ35DE is built in Iwaki, Japan and Decherd, TN. It was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2002 through 2006, the only engine to be on Ward's list every year since it's inception.

The VQ35DE has an aluminum engine block and aluminum DOHC cylinder heads. It uses SFI fuel injection, has 4 valves per cylinder with VVT and features forged steel connecting rods, a one-piece cast camshaft, and Nissan's nylon intake manifold technology.

The VQ35DE is featured in the following vehicles:

• 2001-2004 Nissan Pathfinder(240 hp)
• 2002-2004 Nissan Maxima
• 2003-2005 Infiniti G35 (280 hp to 298 hp)
• Infiniti QX4
• 2002-2004 Infiniti I30
• 2003- Nissan 350Z (from 287 to 301  hp)
• 2002- Nissan Skyline (V35) (280 hp)
• Nissan Stagea (M35)
• 2003- Nissan Teana
• 2003- Nissan Presage
• 2004- Nissan Fuga (280 hp)
• 2000- Nissan Elgrand
• 2002- Nissan Quest (240 hp)
• 2004- Nissan Murano (Z50) (245 hp)
• 2002 - 2006 Nissan Altima (from 250 to 260 hp)
• Infiniti FX35 (280 hp)
• Infiniti I35
• Renault Espace (241 hp)
• Renault Vel Satis (241 hp)

VQ40DE

The VQ40DE is a 4.0 L variant of the VQ35DE (longer stroke).

Improvements include: continuously variable valve timing, variable intake system, hollow camshafts, lighter crankshaft, and friction reduction (microfinished surfaces, moly coated pistons). It produces 265 hp.

It is used in the following vehicles:

• 2005- Nissan Frontier pickup truck (265 hp)
• 2005- Nissan Xterra (265 hp)
• 2005- Nissan Pathfinder (270 hp @5600 rpm, 291 ft*lb @4000 rpm)

See also

• List of Nissan engines