Nissan VK56VD

The Nissan VK56VD is a 5.6 l (5,552 cc, 338.80 cu.in.) direct injection natural aspirated V8 4-stroke gasoline engine from Nissan VK-family. The engine is producted on Nissan’s Yokohama Plant in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

The VK56VD features a lightweight aluminum block with a fully balanced five-bearings crankshaft and two aluminum heads with two camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder. The VK56VD is equipped with CVTC (twin intake/exhaust), VVEL systems and NDIS (Nissan Direct Ignition System) with individual coils on each spark plug.

The VK56VD is a direct injection engine (DIG) that injects fuel directly into the cylinders. Injecting the liquid gasoline into the cylinder generates vaporized heat and the internal temperature of the cylinder goes down. This makes it more difficult for knocking to arise, thus improving combustion efficiency and realizing improved fuel efficiency.

Compression ratio rating is 10.8:1 or 11.5:1. Cylinder bore and piston stroke are 98.0 mm (3.86 in) and 92.0 mm (3.62 in), respectively. It produces from 390 HP (290 kW, 394 PS) at 5,200 rpm to 416 HP (310 kW, 422 PS) at 5,200 rpm. The maximum torque is 565 Nm (57.6 kg·m, 416.7 lb·ft) at 4,000 rpm.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

• VK – Engine Family
• 56 – 5.6 Liter Displacement
• V – VVL (Variable Valve Lift)
• D – Direct Cylinder Fuel Injection

General information

Cylinder block

The VK56VD has an aluminum block with a five-bearings crankshaft supported system. It has low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons. The crankshaft journal diameter is 64 mm (2.52 in), the crankpin diameter is 54 mm (2.12 in).

The cylinder bore is 98.0 mm (3.86 in), piston stroke is 92.0 mm (3.62 in) mm and compression ratio rating is 10.8 or 11.5:1. The Nissan VK56VD motor has two compression and one oil control rings. The connecting rod’s length is 154.5 mm (6.08 in)

Cylinder head

The cylinder head is made of strong, light aluminum alloy which gives it good cooling efficiency. The VK56VD is equipped with CVTC (Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control) system and VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) systems. 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.

VVEL operation principle: A rocker arms and two types of links open the intake valves by transferring the rotational movement of a drive shaft with an eccentric cam to the output cam. The movement of the output cam is varied by rotating the control shaft with a stepper motor and changing the fulcrums of the links. This makes the continuous adjustment of the amount of the valve’s lift, during the intake valve event in the four-stroke cycle, possible. CVTC and VVEL systems together control the valve phases and its valve events, allowing free-control of the valve timing and lift.

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 36.7 mm (1.45 in) the exhaust valve diameter is 31.2 mm (1.22 in), respectively. The VK56VD 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: 40.0 Nm; 4.1 kg·m; 30 ft·lb
• Step 2: Turn all bolts 75°
• Step 3: Loosen all bolts completely
• Step 4: 40.0 Nm; 4.1 kg·m; 30 ft·lb
• Step 5: Turn all bolts 90°
• Step 6: Turn all bolts another 90°

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 25 sizes to range from 7.88 mm (0.3102 in) to 8.36 mm (0.3291 in), in steps of 0.02 mm (0.0008 in).

Example (exhaust valve):
R = 7.90 mm
M = 0.52 mm
N = 7.90 + (0.52 – 0.34) = 8.08 mm, so we need a valve lifter with identification mark N808.

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.