The Nissan VG30DETT is a 3.0 l (2,960 cc, 180.62 cu.in.) twin turbochargered V6 60° four-stroke gasoline engine from Nissan VG-family. The VG30DETT was manufactured since 1987 up to 2000. The engine was introduced in 1987 on Nissan MID4-II concept car.
The VG30DETT features cast-iron block and two aluminum heads with double overhead camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder (24 valves in total). The Nissan VG30DETT engine is equipped with multi-point fuel injection system (EGI); mechanically timed electrical ignition system; NVTCS (Nissan’s Valve Timing Control System) on intake camshafts and EGR system. It has hybrid twin T22/TB02 turbochargers with twin intercoolers.
Compression ratio rating is 8.5:1. Cylinder bore and the piston stroke are 87.0 mm (3.43 in) and 83.0 mm (3.27 in), respectively. It produces from 280 PS (206 kW; 276 HP) at 6,400 rpm to 330 PS (242 kW; 325 HP) at 6,800 rpm of horsepower and from 382 Nm (39.0 kg·m; 281.9 ft·lb) at 3,200 rpm to 388 Nm (39.6 kg·m; 286.3 ft·lb) at 3,600 rpm of maximum torque.
The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:
- VG – Engine Family
- 30 – 3.0 Liter Displacement
- D – DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshafts)
- E – Multi Point Fuel Injection
- TT – Twin-Turbocharged
General information
| Engine Specifications | |
| Engine code | VG30DETT |
| Layout | Four stroke, V6 |
| Fuel type | Gasoline (petrol) |
| Production | 1987-2000 |
| Displacement | 3.0L, 2,960 cc (180.62 cu in) |
| Fuel system | Multi Point Fuel Injection |
| Power adder | Twin T22/TB02 turbochargers |
| Power output |
280 PS (206 kW; 276 HP) at 6,400 rpm 284 PS (209 kW; 280 HP) at 6,400 rpm 330 PS (242 kW; 325 HP) at 6,800 rpm |
| Torque output |
382 Nm (39.0 kg·m; 281.9 ft·lb) at 3,200 rpm 384 Nm (39.2 kg·m; 283.4 ft·lb) at 3,200 rpm 388 Nm (39.6 kg·m; 286.3 ft·lb) at 3,600 rpm |
| Firing order | 1-2-3-4-5-6 |
| Dimensions (L x W x H): | – |
| Weight | – |
Cylinder block
The VG30DETT has a cast-iron block with a four-bearings crankshaft supported system. The cylinder bore is 87.0 mm (3.43 in), piston stroke is 83.0 mm (3.27 in) and compression ratio rating is 9.0:1-11.0:1. The Nissan VG30DETT motor has two compression and one oil control rings. The connecting rod center distance is 154.10 mm (6.0669 in). The crankshaft main journal diameter is 62.9 mm (2.48 in) and crankpin diameter is 50.0 mm (1.97 in), center distance is 41.5 mm (1.63 mm).
| Cylinder block | ||
| Cylinder block alloy | Cast-iron | |
| Compression ratio: | 8.5:1 | |
| Cylinder bore: | 87.0 mm (3.43 in) | |
| Piston stroke: | 83.0 mm (3.27 in) | |
| Number of piston rings (compression / oil): | 2 / 1 | |
| Number of main bearings: | 4 | |
| Cylinder inner diameter (standard): | 87.000-87.010 mm (3.4252-3.4256 in) | |
| Piston skirt diameter (standard): | 86.975-86.985 mm (3.4242-3.4246 in) | |
| Piston pin outer diameter: | 21.993-22.001 mm (0.8657-0.8662 in) | |
| Piston ring side clearance: | Top | 0.040-0.073 mm (0.0016-0.0029 in) |
| Second | 0.030-0.063 mm (0.0012-0.0025 in) | |
| Oil | 0.015-0.185 mm (0.0006-0.0073 in) | |
| Piston ring end gap: | Top | 0.21-0.40 mm (0.0083-0.0157 in) |
| Second | 0.50-0.76 mm (0.0197-0.0299 in) | |
| Oil | 0.20-0.76 mm (0.0079-0.0299 in) | |
| Connecting rod small end diameter: | 22.000-22.012 mm (0.8661-0.8666 in) | |
| Connecting rod center distance: | 154.1-154.2 mm (6.067-6.071 in) | |
| Crankshaft main journal diameter: | 62.975 mm (2.4763 in) | |
| Crankpin diameter: | 49.974 mm (1.9675 in) | |
| Crankshaft center distance: | 41.47-41.53 mm (1.6327-1.6350 in) | |
Main bearing beam bolts tightening procedure and torque specs:
- 90-100 Nm; 9.2-10.2 kg·m; 67-74 ft·lb in two-three stages
After securing bearing cap bolts, make sure crankshaft turns smoothly by hand.
Connecting rod bearing nut
- Step 1: 14-16 Nm; 1.4-1.6 kg·m; 10-12 ft·lb
- Step 2: Turn nuts 60-65° or 59-65 Nm; 6.0-6.6 kg·m; 43-48 ft·lb
Crankshaft pulley bolt
- 216-235 Nm; 22-24 kg·m; 159-174 ft·lb
Flywheel (M/T) or Drive plate (A/T) fixing bolts
- 83-93 Nm; 8.5-9.5 kg·m; 61-69 ft·lb
Cylinder head
The cylinder head is made of strong, light aluminum alloy which gives it good cooling efficiency. The has double over-head camshaft for each head and 4 valves per cylinder. The camshafts are driven by a single timing belt. The engine is equipped with NVTCS (Nissan’s Valve Timing Control System) system for intake cams.
The intake valve diameter is 34.0 mm (1.34 in), the exhaust valve diameter is 29.5 mm (1.16 in), the duration is 248° for both side. The VG30DETT is equipped with hydraulic valve lifters.
| Cylinder head | ||
| Block head alloy | Aluminium | |
| Valve Arrangement: | DOHC, belt drive | |
| Head surface flatness | Less than 0.05 mm (0.002 in) | |
| Valves: | 24 (4 valves per cylinder) | |
| Intake valve timing | 248° | |
| Exhaust valve timing: | 248° | |
| Valve head diameter: | INTAKE | 34.0-34.2 mm (1.339-1.346 in) |
| EXHAUST | 29.5-29.7 mm (1.161-1.169 in) | |
| Valve length: | INTAKE | 103.1-103.3 mm (4.06-4.067 in) |
| EXHAUST | 103.6-103.8 mm (4.079-4087 in) | |
| Valve stem diameter: | INTAKE | 6.965-6.980 mm (0.2743-0.2748 in) |
| EXHAUST | 7.945-7.960 mm (0.3128-0.3134 in) | |
| Valve spring free length: | OUTER | 43.1 mm (1.697 in) |
| INNER | 43.1 mm (1.697 in) | |
| Camshaft cam height: | INTAKE | 40.405-40.595 mm (1.5907-1.5982 in) |
| EXHAUST | 40.405-40.595 mm (1.5907-1.5982 in) | |
| Camshaft journal diameter: | 27.935-27.955 mm (1.0998-1.1006 in) | |
Head tightening procedure and torque specs:
- Step 1: 39 Nm; 4.0 kg·m; 29 ft·lb
- Step 2: 123 Nm; 12.5 kg·m; 90 ft·lb
- Step 3: Loosen all bolts completely
- Step 4: 34-44 kg·m; 3.5-4.5 kg·m; 25-33 ft·lb
- Step 5: Turn all bolts 65-70° or to 123 Nm; 12.5 kg·m; 90 ft·lb
Camshaft sprocket bolts
- 123-132 Nm; 12.5-13.5 kg·m; 90-98 ft·lb
Maintenance data
| Compression pressure | |
| Standard | 12.0 kg/m2 (171 psi) / 300 rpm |
| Minimun | 9.0 kg/m2 (128 psi) / 300 rpm |
| Compression differential limit between cylinders | 1.0 kg/m2 (15 psi) / 300 rpm |
| Oil system | |
| Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles) | up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles) |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-40, 20W-50 |
| Oil type API | API SG |
| Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity) |
With filter change 3.4 l (3-5/8 Us. qt., 3 Imp. qt) Without filter change 3.0 l (3-1/8 Us. qt., 2-5/8 Imp. qt.) |
| Oil change interval, km (miles) | Every 6,000 (3,750) |
| Oil pressure |
Idle speed (78 kPA, 0.8 kg/cm3, 11 psi) 3,000 rpm (353-451 kPA, 3.6-4.6 kg/cm3, 51-65 psi) |
| Ignition system | |
| Spark plug | NGK Platinum-tipped type: PFR5B-11B |
| Spark plug tightening torque | 20-29 Nm; 2.0-3.0 kg·m; 14-22 ft·lb |
Vehicle applications
| Model | Years Produced |
| Nissan MID4-II Concept | 1987 |
| Nissan Fairlady Z Twin Turbo | 1989–2000 |
| Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo | 1990–1996 |
Author:
Please can you tell me whether, in the event of a cam belt failure,the engine is “safe”, ie, do the valves and pistons hit each other?
No, it will not be safe. Its an interference engine meaning not enough clearance to prevent catastrophe in the advent of timing belt failure.