Nissan VK50VE

The Nissan VK50VE is a 5.0 L (5,026 cc, 306.7 cu·in) natural aspirated V8 4-stroke gasoline engine from Nissan VK-family. The engine was manufactured from 2008 to 2017.

The VK50VE engine 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 VK50VE is equipped with CVTC (twin intake/exhaust), VVEL systems and NDIS (Nissan Direct Ignition System) with individual coils on each spark plug.

The cylinder bore is 95.5 mm (3.76 in) and the piston stroke is 87.7 mm (3.45 in). The compression ratio rating is 10.9:1. Redline is set at 6,800 rpm. The Nissan VK50VE engine produced 394.4 PS (290 kW; 390.0 HP) at 6,500 rpm of maximum output power and 500 N·m (51.0 kg·m, 368.5 ft·lb) at 4,400 rpm of peak torque.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

• VK – Engine Family
• 50 – 5.0 Liter Displacement
• V – VVL (Variable Valve Lift)
• E – Multi Port Fuel Injection

General information

Cylinder block

The VK50VE has an aluminum block with a five-bearings crankshaft supported system. It has low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons. The crankshaft journal diameter is 64.0 mm (2.52 in), the crankpin diameter is 54.0 mm (2.12 in).

The cylinder bore is 95.5 mm (3.76 in), piston stroke is 87.7 mm (3.45 in) and the compression ratio rating is 10.9. The Nissan VK50VE 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. This engine has DOHC design with 4 valves per cylinder (32 valves in total). The VK5OVE 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 30.5 mm (1.20 in), respectively. The VK50VE 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 65°
• Step 6: Turn all bolts another 65°

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 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 808P.

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.