Nissan VK45DE

The Nissan VK45DE is a 4.5 l (4,494 cc, 274.22 cu.in.) natural aspirated V8 90° four-stroke gasoline engine from Nissan VK-family. The engine was producted on Nissan’s Yokohama Plant since 2001 to 2010. The VK45DE engine replaced VH41DE and VH45DE.

The VK45DE features lightweight V8 90° aluminum block with a fully balanced five-bearings crankshaft and two aluminum heads with two one-piece cast camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder. The VK45DE has CVTC (Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control) system on intake shafts, variable-flow induction system, electronic throttle and ignition system with individual coils on each spark plug.

Compression ratio rating is 10.5:1. Cylinder bore and piston stroke are 93.0 mm (3.66 in) and 82.7 mm (3.25 in), respectively. The engine produced from 280 PS (206 kW, 276 HP) at 6,000 rpm to 340 PS (250 kW, 335 HP) at 6,400 rpm. The maximum torque is 460 Nm (46.9 kg·m, 340 lb·ft) at 4,000 rpm.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

• VK – Engine Family
• 45 – 4.5 Liter Displacement
• D – DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshafts)
• E – Multi Point Fuel Injection

General information

Cylinder block

The VK45DE has an aluminum block with a five-bearings crankshaft supported system. It has low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons, forged steel connecting rods and microfinished crankshaft. The crankshaft journal diameter is 64 mm (2.52 in), the crankpin diameter is 52 mm (2.04 in).

The cylinder bore is 93.0 mm (3.66 in), piston stroke is 82.7 mm (3.256 in) and compression ratio rating is 10.5:1. The Nissan VK45DE motor has two compression and one oil control rings. The connecting rod’s length is 147 mm (5.79 in)

Cylinder head

The cylinder head is made of strong, light aluminum alloy which gives it good cooling efficiency. The VK45DE has CVTC (Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control) system on intake shafts. C-VTC enables variable valve timing in response to engine rpm and throttle opening. Enhanced control and reduced system friction improve response and optimize torque characteristics. The engine is equipped with an electronic throttle body, variable-length intake manifold, and a new exhaust system.

The camshafts are driven by two chains, one for each head. The timing chain transmits the rotational movement from the crankshaft to both intake and exhaust camshafts.

The intake valve diameter is 36.0 mm (1.41 in) the exhaust valve diameter is 31.2 mm (1.22 in), respectively. The intake duration is 240°, the exhaust duration is 228°. The VK45DE motor does not have hydraulic lifters, so special valve lifters are used to adjust the valve clearance.

Head tightening procedure and torque specs:

• Step 1: 98.1 Nm; 10 kg·m; 72 ft·lb
• Step 2: Loosen all bolts completely
• Step 3: 44.1 Nm; 4.5 kg·m; 33 ft·lb
• Step 4: Turn all bolts 60°
• Step 5: Turn all bolts another 60°

Maintenance data

Valve clearance adjustment data

Calculate the thickness of new adjusting valve lifter so valve clearance comes within specified values.

R = Thickness of removed valve lifter
N = Thickness of new valve lifter
M = Measured valve clearance

Intake:
N = R + [M – 0.30 mm (0.012 in)]
Exhaust:
N = R + [M – 0.34 mm (0.013 in)]

Valve lifters are available in 64 sizes range from 2.32 mm (0.0913 in) to 2.95 mm (0.1161 in), in steps of 0.01 mm (0.0004 in).

Example (exhaust valve):
R = 2.50 mm
M = 0.52 mm
N = 2.50 + (0.52 – 0.34) = 2.68 mm, so we need a valve lifter with identification mark 268.

Vehicle applications

Author: Sergei Wers
About: Co-founder and CEO of a multi-brand auto repair shop (engine repair, chassis repair, body repair and painting) for over 15 years. I have been developing internet sites with technical specifications for more than seven years.