cars - Nissan VG engine

The VG engine family consists of V6 piston engines designed and produced by Nissan for several vehicles in the Nissan lineup. VG engines displace between 2.0 L and 3.3 L and feature an iron block and aluminum head. Earlier versions featured SOHC and 12 valves for mid-range power. Later versions featured DOHC with 24 valves and variable valve timing for increased high RPM efficiency and smoother power delivery.

The VG series engine found it's 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.

Contents

VG30

The plain VG30 is a 3 L (2960 cc) engine produced from April 1987 through 1996. It has a long crank snout and a knock sensor in the cylinder valley.

Applications:

1987-1995 Nissan Pickup
1987-1995 Nissan Pathfinder

VG30E

The 3.0 L (2995 cc) VG30E produces 160 hp and 174 ft.lbf. Bore is 3.43 in (87 mm) and stroke is 3.27 in (83 mm).

It was used in the following vehicles:

1984–1989 Nissan 300ZX
1987–1988 Nissan 200SX SE
1984–1993 Nissan Maxima
1990–1991 Infiniti M30
1986–1996 Nissan Pickup
1986–1987 Nissan Pathfinder
1992–1995 Nissan Quest /Mercury Villager

VG30ET

The 3.0 L VG30ET was available in early production with a a single Garrett T3 turbocharger producing 200 hp and 230 ft.lbf. It was later changed to a single Garrett T25 turbocharger to reduce turbo lag, and was bumped to 200 hp and 235 ft.lbf. Neither engine was equipped with an intercooler as they both featured low boost pressure.

It was used in the following vehicles:

1984–1989 Nissan 300ZX Turbo

VG30DE

The 3.0 L (2995 cc) VG30DE produces 240 hp and 227 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
1993–1998 Infiniti J30

VG30DETT

The 3.0 L VG30DETT produces 300 hp and 280 ft.lbf. It featured twin T25 turbochargers, twin intercoolers and variable valve timing.

It is used in the following vehicles:

1990–1996 Nissan 300ZX 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 an 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:

1996–2000 Nissan Pathfinder
2000–2004 Nissan Frontier
2000–2004 Nissan Xterra

VG33ER

The 3.3 L 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:

2000–2004 Nissan Frontier SC
2000–2004 Nissan Xterra SC