Hey, what do you guys think of the VK45DE?

[fiveliterbeater]

i was browsing some of the VK/VH threads and alot of poeple seem to dislike the fact that the VH was discontinued and the VK is now the next biggest thing in the line of Nissan motors. some called the VK an "ugly" motor and not much of an improvement at all compared to the VH.so i was just wondering , what do you guys think? according to specs of both motors when reviewed side by side, the VK seems to out-do the VH in everyway but maybe im wrong?what do you guys think?

[GJEMD]

The evolution of internal combustion engines for the last 35 yrs has been driven by the need for cleaner more efficient power. The VH/VK evolution is no exception. If the VH still met Nissans engineering mandates it would still be found in current models. The issue often comes down to inadvertently compromising reliability to achieve cleaner more efficient power. Its no stretch that the VH maybe the most bullet proof V8 to come out of japan. Many feel it is on a par with the small block Chevy for reliability. Its also clear that Nissan has taken a hit both financially and its reputation on the VQ and the VK series engines.. Buuut, the numbers still demonstrate even this series has been very reliable. I for one and the vast number of VK owners have found the engine to be a marvel. I must say it is a powerful passenger car engine. its not a hot rod, drag car or formula 1 engine. I have spoken out enough regarding the desire to make this engine something it is not or never will be. i have owned,a corvette z06, BMW M5, 68 Z28, 66 GTO and they all used oil when I pushed them repeatedly to near red line performance.

I have owned a 2004 M45 since new with virtually no issues after 60,000 miles.The VK is a dream of a luxury passenger car engine.

[fiveliterbeater]

I have spoken out enough regarding the desire to make this engine something it is not or never will be.

i have to say it would be cool if they could at least make some aftermarket cams or some LT headers but i guess you're right; this engine is marveled to perfection and it is highly unlikely we will ever see any aftermarket upgrades.

[ken in az]

i have to say it would be cool if they could at least make some aftermarket cams or some LT headers but i guess you're right; this engine is marveled to perfection and it is highly unlikely we will ever see any aftermarket upgrades.

Most CVVT engines don't make much more power with cams. With the obscurity of the VK45DE I'm sure the R&D would have to be spectacular to improve on the stock camshaft.

That being said - JWT makes cams for the VK56DE that are vastly superior to the stockers but they also don't have CVVT until 07+ and the cams are for the previous years engines. I'm sure that we could get some gains with cams - but honestly the stockers are a great mix of reliability, drivability, and make decent power.

- Oh and in case anyone is interested JWT said they'd do cams for us if we had a group buy of 10 cars at a prepaid $1100 - $1200 per set

Now about the headers - I'm working on something but I'll have to wait and see till friday to know for sure if they'd work - oh and they are pretty darn inexpensive

[fiveliterbeater]

Now about the headers - I'm working on something but I'll have to wait and see till friday to know for sure if they'd work - oh and they are pretty darn inexpensive

hey i'm willing to fork out $500 right now for some headers if i have to

[ken in az]

talk to me goose

[Backdoc7]

talk to me goose

would they be Ca smog legal? probably not right??

[ken in az]

would they be Ca smog legal? probably not right??

lol - only thing they'd fail would be the visual - but these engines are packed so tight no one would know but you.

You might need O2 sims or an UpRev tune to get rid of a CEL but definitely an UpRev tune take full advantage of the headers power potential. We're talkin an easy 20rwhp over stock and maybe more with a tune - no loss in low end either and tons of gains in the top end

[fiveliterbeater]

are we talking LT or shorty's? cause if its shortys, we're better off keeping the stock manifolds

[ken in az]

are we talking LT or shorty's? cause if its shortys, we're better off keeping the stock manifolds

ANYTHING and I mean ANYTHING is better than the stock manifolds!

We'll have options of just - shorties, tri-Y, and or long tubes

[fiveliterbeater]

very true; but.......if they develop shorties for our car and let's say we only gain 6rwhp and have to spend say $400 on the headers and another $500 to have them installed...that equals $150 per Hp. very very so not worth it

now......if we can get some LT headers and gain 15rwhp for the same price as the shorties...then we are in buisness

[Mr. Robato]

Does it really matter? VH engines were only used in discontinued cars. If you are having some specific issues related to the VK engine I am sorry and I may experience them myself since I now own a 2003 M45. On the other hand, if you just cannot stand the perception of unspecified "others" I suggest you get a car with VH engine or swap your VK for VH.

What I think really matters is that Nissan may need to develop new engines. VK is based on VQ (V-6) which is an aging technology. It had received a best 10 engine award for 11 or so years straight, but got dropped from the most current list. Even before it was expanded to 3.7, car magazines would say the engine was coarse and sent lots of unwanted vibration to the cabin. After it got expanded to 3.7, those blemishes were even amplified, according to those car magazines. If the technology it is based on is aging, that means VK is also aging. I just hate to see Nissan becoming like GM who keeps using dinosaurs technologies such as OHV for its mainstream vehicle.

[GJEMD]

The VK may have evolved from the VQ The translation to the driver, the VK is like SILK to CORN COB

[fiveliterbeater]

I just hate to see Nissan becoming like GM who keeps using dinosaurs technologies such as OHV for its mainstream vehicle.

......call it what you want....GM can at least make a pushrod motor that puts out 500+ HP getting 16/26 city/highway (which is waaaayyyy better gas mileage that what my M is getting)

[Mr. Robato]

Is that right?? Then, I should call it a "proven" technology.