Nissan VK engine
The VK engine (formerly known as the ZH) is a V8 piston engine from Nissan. It is an aluminum DOHC 4-valve design. The VK engine was originally based on Nissan's "VQ" V6 rather than the "VH" V8 used in previous Q45/Cima models. Changes include: a variable intake manifold, newly designed heads, and a larger drive by wire throttle chamber. The intake manifold directs air through different paths at different engine speeds to optimise low-end torque or high-end horsepower. VK45DE. The VK45DE was introduced in 2002 and is built in Yokohama, Japan. Bore  and stroke is . Output is at 6,400 rpm with of torque at 4,000 rpm. Redline is at 6,600 rpm. It has an aluminum engine block and aluminum DOHC cylinder heads. It uses SFI, has 4 titanium valves per cylinder with VVT and features forged steel connecting rods, 4 one-piece cast camshafts, an unusual variable-flow induction system optimizes airflow for low- and high-speed operation, low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons, and a microfinished crankshaft. Motorsport. A flat-plane crankshaft version of the VK45DE was 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 in 2007, replacing the previous VQ30DETT used in that car. In race trim, the Super GT VK45DE produces and of torque. The engine idles at around 3,500 rpm and is restricted to the above specified power output. Without such restrictions, the engine is reputedly capable of producing nearly . Nismo reasons that by using the engine, they eliminate turbo lag, save weight and generally prefer the torque curve of the atmospheric V8. VK45DD. The VK45DD is a V8 engine that  is very similar to the VK45DE but adds a direct injection fuel system. This was Nissan's first V8 with direct injection (NEO-Di). It officially produces at 6,000 rpm and at 3,600 rpm, but it has unofficially over . It has a compression ratio of 11.0:1, and a bore and stroke of . VK50VE. The VK50VE is a V8 engine with at 6,500 rpm and at 4,400 rpm and redline is set at 6,800 rpm. Bore x stroke are and compression ratio is 10.9:1. The valvetrain is a dual overhead cam (DOHC) design with a continuously variable valve timing control system  (CVTCS). The engine also features Nissan's VVEL valve timing technology. VK56DE. The VK56DE is a version built in Decherd, Tennessee. Bore and stroke is . Output is at 4,900 rpm with of torque at 3,600 rpm. It has aluminum-alloy block and heads and low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons. The valvetrain is a dual overhead cam (DOHC) design with a continuously variable valve timing control system (CVTCS) on the intake valves. It also has 4 valves per cylinder with micro-finished camshafts and ductile iron cylinder liners for increased durability. Motorsport. Nismo also uses the VK56DE for FIA GT1 racing . In race trim, it produces and of torque. The Nissan Motorsport VK56DE was launched in Australia for the V8 Supercars Championship in 2013 by Kelly Racing in Melbourne. The engine has been reduced in capacity to to fit the V8 Supercars regulations. It has a bore and stroke of . It will be fitted to a Nissan Altima version of the V8 Supercars "Car of the Future" specification that will compete from 2013 onwards. Applications. Notes: VK56VD. The VK56VD is a 32-valve, DOHC, Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG) aluminum-alloy V8 and features Nissan's advanced VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift  System). The direct injection system provides better wide-open throttle performance and improved fuel economy and emissions performance by reducing engine knock, improving combustion stability and controlling injection more precisely.