Nissan VK56DE

The Nissan VK56DE is a 5.6 l (5,552 cc, 338.80 cu.in.) natural aspirated V8 4-stroke gasoline engine from Nissan VK-family. The engine is producted on Nissan’s Decherd Plant in Tennessee, USA.

The VK56DE 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 VK56DE has electronic throttle and ignition system with individual coils on each spark plug. The first version of the Nissan VK56DE was not equipped with any valve timing control system, the later version (after 2007) has a CVTC system on intake shafts.

Compression ratio rating is 9.8:1. Cylinder bore and piston stroke are 98.0 mm (3.86 in) and 92.0 mm (3.62 in), respectively. It produces from 305 HP (227 kW, 309 PS) at 4,900 rpm to 322 HP (240 kW, 326 PS) at 5,200 rpm. The maximum torque is 533 Nm (54.3 kg·m, 393.0 lb·ft) at 3,400 rpm.

The engine was used in Nissan GT-R GT1 from Nismo. It was produced 600 HP (450 kW) of horsepower and 658 Nm (67.0 kg·m, 485 lb⋅ft) of torque.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

• VK – Engine Family
• 56 – 5.6 Liter Displacement
• D – DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshafts)
• E – Multi Point Fuel Injection

General information

Cylinder block

The VK56DE 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 9.8:1. The Nissan VK56DE 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 first version was not equipped with any valve timing control system, the later version 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 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 37.0 mm (1.45 in) the exhaust valve diameter is 31.2 mm (1.22 in), respectively. The intake duration is 230°, the exhaust duration is 232° for the motor without CVTC or 232° and 244°, respectively, for CVTC version. The VK56DE 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: 44.1 Nm; 4.5 kg·m; 33 ft·lb
• Step 2: Turn all bolts 70°
• Step 3: Loosen all bolts completely
• Step 4: 44.1 Nm; 4.5 kg·m; 33 ft·lb
• Step 5: Turn all bolts 60°
• Step 6: 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 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.