vh45 max horsepower

[usdm240sx]

I have been reading about the vh45 motor and all the conversions everyone is doing, i have not read how much horsepower they are getting can anyone give me some info. I am looking to get one but i dont know if it would be worth it to get a vh45 vs. rb26 or rb25. any info will help

[Mettler]

VH41DE & VH45DE are superior engines to the RBs, and they weigh about the same. I'm not sure you really need to be asking this question.

[usdm240sx]

i dont know that is why im asking. i know people how have the rb motors here in town but i dont want to follow them i would like to do a vh but dont know about the power difference

[T45]

When I started pricing parts to hop up my VG33 I decided to just buy a junk Q and steal the engine, trans and ecu's for my truck. Total cost.... $456.00 for almost 300 hp. My 33 would never get close to that for under $3-5K and also would never have the torque of the VH.

190 ft. lb at 800 rpms at the rear wheels. That's more than my truck puts out at the crank. Torque is what gets you down the road.

[Mettler]

Factory VH internals can take 9000rpm, and also 1000HP with boost... and a VH is generally 1/5 - 1/6th the price of an RB26DETT, and weighs the same. The choice is clear

[usdm240sx]

you have made your point. which is the better of the 2 vh45 or the vh41. i have read that the vh41 is better for a s13 swap because of it 1.5" smaller than the vh45. but power is the goal do i get a vh45 or vh41

[Mettler]

Both motors are roughly the same size, VH45 just has larger looking front covers.

If you're in the US, get the 1994+ VH45DE, the US VH41DE has been nerfed.

[elwesso]

9000 RPM on stock internals? Is that according to some of your mates at the race shop?

[Mettler]

That's according to a stockcar driver I've been buying VH parts from.

He ran his superstock for an entire season with 9000rpm limiter on stock hydraulic lash adjusters, conrods and pistons, without engine failure... and these engines are revved to hell for the duration of the whole race.

That's the proof in the pudding as far as I'm concerned. I'm not saying it's good for it, but the fact that it has been done and withstood that punishment demonstrates to me that the internals do not require upgrading at all if building even an 800HP street car.

Don't forget, hypereutectic pistons are the strongest possible alternative to forged pistons.

[elwesso]

Ok but is that with different camshafts/valve springs?

Still, 8000 seems fairly mild...

[Mettler]

I think he did have a different cam grind and meatier springs. Not sure how those hold up to 9000rpm, but the lash adjusters seem fine. *shrug*

One would assume that you wouldn't go pulling 9000rpm without some serious cams and springs anyway, seeing as there are no gains to be had by doing this. The point was more in regards to the rods and pistons taking the abuse, and the lash adjusters.

[elwesso]

I know, im just playing devils advocate...

I know what little 2 cylinder 2 cycle motors sound like at 8500-9000, a VH45 doing that would be raw sex.

[Florida240sx]

Working on it... except vh45deT @ 9000rpm

[jmicaelk]

Hi all, planing on building a VH45DE for my 300ZX with twin turbos. So I just wonder how much HP the block and crank can hold, have heard some pretty big numbers, but need to hear it from some people that have tried. I am planing on using different pistons and rods, as well as different valve trains.

Any help would be appreciated

Micael

[Mettler]

This has been discussed many times, it may help to read some of the threads about it here.

[jmicaelk]

Sorry, would not have asked if I was able to find info that is the same in more than 1 or a few posts, and search is not much help.

So far I found someone saying 600hp, some 800hp, and max 8500-9000 RPM and so on, but how many of these are actual numbers and not estimates. Does anyone have real numbers or?? I'm planing the engine now so I still have time, but any help would be great, don't want to spend more than I need to on the engine internals.

Thanks Micael

[elwesso]

I think the better thing is for you to think about what you want out of the car, what power level you will need for that goal, and then we can recommend from there...

in a Z, 450-500HP boosted should be plenty.

[jmicaelk]

Well I'm thinking power levels above those achieved in the VG30DETT so over 700hp, yes I know that you can get higher than that in the VG30, but the cost will be higher. So what do you guys think of that power out of the VH45 ??

Thanks Micael

[Mettler]

Here is what I have seen from these engines.

Nizpro in Australia have a VH45DE +TT speedboat engine that produces 1000HP on the engine dyno. It's a stock engine apart from the two big turbos + manifolds & link computer. It hasn't blown up yet, and has been dominating its class in racing.

I know of many superstock race cars here running the VH41 engine... some of these run standard rods & standard hydraulic lash adjusters (just with valvesprings & cams done), and still rev out to 9000rpm without blowing up... some making over 500HP in the process.

So basically, whatever you want to do with the motor short of turning it into an alcohol breathing 1500HP monster, it should be able to handle the punishment with the factory bottom end. All you'd really want to change are the valvesprings and cams, and make sure you have a damn hefty cooling system.

[jmicaelk]

Thanks a lot man. I guess I should change the pistons will I'm at it, lower compression. So the crank and the rods should hold for up to 1000hp, that sounds good. So I guess I just have to figure out the best spring and cam combo then. Better start reading the rest of the posts.Well I'm glad I started to read this forum again, as last time I talked about putting a VH45 in a 300ZX, they said I was crazy and it wouldn't work, to big and heavy they said. Well from what I have read, they are just a bit longer, but 100 pounds lighter, is that all true, sounds great to me.

Micael

[Mettler]

Another member here, ultrapulse, is fitting a pretty hot supercharged VH45DE to his Z32 300ZX. He's gone so far as to build a custom bellhousing, custom intake manifold/plenum, custom sump modifications & oil pickup, etc. Looking forward to seeing that thing go!

[jmicaelk]

OK, I will take a look at that one, sound like a great project

Micael