Nissan VR38DETT

The Nissan VR38DETT is a 3.8 l (3,799 cc, 231.8 cu·in) turbocharged V6 60° 4-stroke gasoline engine from Nissan VR-family. The engine has been manufactured since 2007.

The Nissan VR38DETT engine features a lightweight aluminum block with plasma-sprayed cylinder liner bores and a four-bearings crankshaft and two aluminum heads with two camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder. The Nissan VR38DETT engine is equipped with a continuously variable valve timing control system (CVTCS) on intake valves, multi-port fuel injection, electronic drive-by-wire throttle, fully symmetrical dual intake and low back-pressure exhaust system.

The cylinder bore is 95.5 mm (3.76 in) and the piston stroke 88.4 mm (3.48 in). The compression ratio rating is 9.0:1.

The Nissan VR38DETT engine produces from 487 PS (358 kW; 480 HP) to 608 PS (447 kW; 600 HP) of maximum power and from 588 N·m (60 kg·m, 433.4 ft·lb) to 652 N·m (66.5 kg·m, 480.5 ft·lb) of torque depending on the year and vehicle model.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

• VR – Engine Family
• 38 – 3.8 Liter Displacement
• D – DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshafts)
• E – Multi Point Fuel Injection
• TT – Twin-Turbocharged

General information

Cylinder block

The Nissan VR38DETT has an aluminum cylinder block with plasma-sprayed cylinder liner bores and a four-bearings crankshaft supported system, forged steel connecting rods, a micro-finished one-piece forged crankshaft. The crankshaft journal diameter is 64.975 mm (2.5581 in), the crankpin diameter is 55.960 mm (2.2031 in).

The cylinder bore is 95.5 mm (3.760 in), piston stroke is 88.4 mm (3.48 in) and the compression ratio rating is 9.0:1. The Nissan VR38DETT motor has two compression and one oil control rings.

Cylinder head

The cylinder head is made of strong, light aluminum alloy which gives it good cooling efficiency. The VR38DETT engine is equipped with a hydraulically actuated CVTC (Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control) system for intake cams. This mechanism hydraulically controls cam phases continuously with the fixed operating angle of the intake valve.

The camshafts are driven by single primary and two secondary chains. The primary timing chain transmits the rotational movement from the crankshaft to the intake camshafts, the secondary chains connect intake and exhaust sprocket on each head respectively.

The intake valve diameter is 37.0 mm (1.45 in) and the exhaust valve diameter is 32.0 mm (1.26 in), the intake valve duration is 238° and the exhaust valve duration is 248°. The VR38DETT 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 Nm; 4.1 kg·m; 30 ft·lb
• Step 2: Turn all bolts 65°
• Step 3: Turn all bolts 65° again
• Step 4: Loosen all bolts completely
• Step 5: 40 Nm; 4.1 kg·m; 30 ft·lb
• Step 4: Turn all bolts 135°
• Step 5: Turn all bolts another 135°

Maintenance data

Valve clearance adjustment data

Calculate the thickness of the 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 27 sizes to range from 7.88 mm (0.3102 in) to 8.40 mm (0.3307 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 808.

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.