Nissan SR20DET - What makes it GREAT? ICONIC ENGINES #9

[@d4a]

AEM digital racing dash display: bit.ly/D4Acddash Support d4a: driving-4-answers-shop.fourthwall.com/ Blue engine damper kit for all Nissan S13: amzn.to/2wBNksZ 4 to 5 Lug Wheel Bearing Conversion Hub for S13/S14: amzn.to/2wBNwsd Amazon turbo: amzn.to/2VLGnQR SR20DET turbo lines: amzn.to/38tXWaT Get the shirt: teespring.com/en-GB/d4a-merch

[@jethromoffitt2424]

Hey, Please do a video on the Nissan A14s!

[@jarrednaidoo4260]

Hi, I'm Jarred from Cape Town South Africa. Is it possible for you to make a video on the Mazda 323 GTX FE 2.0 16v turbo please?

[@raysampson3993]

H22 review

[@aldenleo6649]

sorry to be offtopic but does someone know of a method to get back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid forgot the account password. I would appreciate any help you can give me.

[@ayaanlandyn6790]

@Alden Leo Instablaster ;)

[@d4a]

Do you prefer longer Iconic Engines videos or shorter more condensed ones like this one? Edit: Noted! We are staying with the longer format.

[@TheKtchevelle]

I like the longer ones that you've done previously because of the detail.of the engine. However I'm sure there's only a small part of your audience that cares about exhaust and intake valve sizes and bore dimensions etc. However, I prefer it. You could skip somethings like level one mods etc. As we all know what those are. However, things like generally safe horsepower before replacing with forged interns great info that most people are too lazy to scour the internet for. Hopefully, this will help with all the "how much horsepower can I get on a stock block?" Forum posts...ofc I might be too optimistic lol

[@Cabuuuse]

I like these long ones

[@jort93z]

I like the longer ones better since it gives more information than i could read in 2 minutes or so on wikipedia, this video is just the bare minimum information about it.

[@v8_sami]

Longer ones.

[@S30Chris]

Longerr

[@Lynkan_]

A great follow up to this would be a video about its predecesor that you mentioned the CA18DET

[@aksfactory]

Couple of notes and interesting facts: Camshaft durations and lift vary from 232 to 248 depending on the variation. S14 Nothctop had t28 non bb garrett turbo, not t25. Pushing stock internals to 400whp is possible, but 320-370whp is a more realistic number. On stock t25 (@~12 psi) and very minor bolt-ons you can get solid 240-250whp. Also, rockers and lifters really hate being bounced off the limiter, hence why SR is kinda known for being unreliable. Some people say rocker arms stoppers are great and some say they destroy the heads so here's that. The ultimate SR20DET upgrade is P11 NEO VVL head swap. They flow better and are pretty much bulletproof with a few bolt-ons. Yes it is a very expensive mod, but it really transforms SR20DET into an indestructible beast. Some people prefer to keep stock high port (blacktop and redtop) mani for better low-end torque. Alternators and water pumps are kinda known to go out. SRs and other 90s nissan engines LOVE 15w40 diesel oils. Stock crank can handle up to 1400hp with good balancing. A faulty water temp sensor will make the ECU go into the limp mode and won't rev past 2500rpm. s13.4 Notchtop/Redtop hybrid valve cover is an odd mod but if you have a S13 SR, and you have an oil catch can… you’ve probably seen your catch can fill up before the day is even over. This is due to no internal baffling in the S13 SR valve cover. S14 SR valve cover does have internal baffling, which prevents all of the oil to just end up in the catch can.

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Антон заходи к нам на канал у нас сувенир avenir salut x gt 1996 sr20det

[@NYRNJD1987]

Still a nissan ssdly

[@joesarna9154]

S14 Sr20det came with a T28 only in the late model kouki. The Zenki version still came with t25

[@Predator-SR20]

@@joesarna9154 i have a euro spec 200sx zenki and it does have a journal bearing T28, the jap spec s14 came with the bb T28

[@hotshtsr20]

Made 462whp on mine, completely (second motor, why is below) stock motor other than C16 fuel, GT35R, 72lb injectors, Cobra MAF, JWT S4 cams and a monster oil cooler ran by an electric pump. Lasted a couple of seasons doing time attack events. Rev limiter at 7750rpm on the JWT ECU. Rocker stoppers keep the valves moving during float so you can get piston to valve contact. Better to huck them out. Had a friend money shift mine 4th at redline to second. Put a new chain and rocker arms in it and ran it until I blew it up playing with the dial-a-boom (25psi isn’t tolerated, lol). Motor is still kicking today, but sadly I haven’t registered the car in years. Someday… :)

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

Back in the 90's and early 2000's EVERYONE was swapping OUT the ka24de for the SR20DET ... I stayed with the ka24de, built it and turbo charged it. Got it to 482 whp and 455 wtq in 2001. Ran 11.1 @ 123 mph ... She impressed all but yet everyone still wanted that tiny SR20 ... I guess they didn't want to do all the hard work. She is still in my garage running STRONG 20 yrs later on the same ka motor. Parked next to my MKIV Supra. Funny when i take it to the car meets and pop the hood, they are like, oh you went ka turbo, i said yea, they asked how long has it been turbo, i say 20 yrs now and they look at me with that look of .... 20 yrs are you serious ... I was like yep, got the car in 2000, pulled the engine in 2001, built it for 600 hp and she has been this way since.

[@DEATHWISHVQ]

You Tube

[@marydudaduda7355]

Voce fala muito cara. Por que você não mostra esse motor rodando?

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

@@marydudaduda7355🤦

[@Ren200Z_MotoringLife]

going on over 10 years (trouble free) on my lightly moded daily driven sr20det , the day will come when i will crack it open inspect it and rebuild it

[@rayondokelly7767]

Where are you from

[@raiinydayz1889]

Good luck with that man

[@zandozman]

I’m on approximately 8 years trouble free

[@802Garage]

One of my favorite engines. Closed deck aluminum with a timing chain, solid internals stock, what's not to like? Great videos man!

[@keithykl9778]

yes, my favourite part is the rocker arms. very good

[@TheSpekkel1]

Me and my friends have swapped them into old mercedes 190e couple of times. Reliable and cost effective way to get 200-300hp 4 door, that doesn't weigh that much and with suspension upgrades, can deliver suprisingly great performance.

[@802Garage]

@@TheSpekkel1 That's pretty awesome! Not a swap I would expect.

[@TheSpekkel1]

@@802Garage 190e is a great platform, but the standard models had pretty anemic engines and the sportier models are too expensive, so I think it's a great swap to go from an iron block 1.8l 8v, into sr20det with all the aftermarket it has, which the mercedes engines lack unfortunately.

[@802Garage]

@@TheSpekkel1 Makes sense to me!

[@isai.1367]

Been pumping out some great content man

[@euler5068]

After so long i finally got an Sr20de. This video really inspired this soon to be build

[@tommyboy1two]

Lol ricer Miata has been running between 23 and 30 psi on his stock SR for years and he beats the ever living hell out of it 😂 so those SR's might be indestructible

[@denzilfryer5267]

Love your channel! You've made me dig into my favourite book again, Performance automotive engine math by John Baechtel. Although judging by your content, you've probably written a book just like it. It's a great resource for understanding engines properly. Keep up the awesome content!

[@beaches2mountains230]

Hey man, You got me bro. Subscribed! I first saw and commented on Your MR2 videos since thats the car that really inspired me to love more then just v8's. As far as the SR20DET goes I bought a 95 240 that had a sr20det swap and was already all done up..I did have to put in a new built 5 speed and 2 weeks after I had it finished (car was perfect!!) an old lady totalled it in the WALMART parking lot 😕😕 Man Ive been bummed ever since..Insurance screwed me and only gave me book value. Anyways. YesSSS NISSAN PLEASE GIVE US AN ENTRY LEVEL REAR WHEEL DRIVE S-CHASSIS-LIKE CAR AGAIN!!!!!

[@riite9338]

the amount of research you do is crazy and i appreciate it

[@nigelmccure6640]

Iv actually seen sr20s online with about a 1000 horsepower but they are actually very rare engine so good luck finding one of those things man

[@conradsealy9603]

Heres a street driven one with 1400hp kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5aqZ3t6erlnfNE

[@franciscolozada1059]

The believe you can do it part had me cracking up, those little funny short clips are really good

[@KangoV]

Awesome video! I've had 6 cars with this engine: P11, 2 x P11-144, S14 and 2 x S15. I know it well and it's very easiy to tune. A totally stripped out S15 running 300whp is crazy fast and bloody scary. I think we got my last one down to around 900Kg.

[@anthonybarker9019]

P11? Infiniti?

[@enterthebase]

Primera 💪 still miss my GT Mystic

[@flyingdutchman4794]

Great videos my man! Here in the US our all-powerful insurance industry and trial-lawyer lobbies got involved, and we got the 240SX which basically had a 12-valve SOHC truck engine - felt fast off the line but petered out rapidly as revs rose. Great handling car which needed about 75-100 more bhp. Apart from the lawyers, one reason US-market cars have lower compression ratios is due to our generally crappy fuels, ethanol blends, &c. And to think that us Yanks invented 110-octane gas. Sigh....

[@NickTaylorRickPowers]

Just noticed this in my feed and was pleasantly surprised seeing the now infamous Streeter street session footage

[@justythrasher]

Pulsar gtir. Weapon from the gods. Baby Godzilla. Such an insane beast.

[@masterroshimagazines4354]

Rather have an evo to be honest

[@jcsalinas323]

You're great bruh! Keep 'em videos coming...

[@802Garage]

#bringbacktheschassis

[@stephenbello1081]

Anyone else noticing their utube "recommended" tab is now full of the previous weeks featured engine? 50K followers is like the moon pulling a high tide of interesting car stuff along with it.

[@sammywelson7404]

Hey man, no questions for today so have a great one dude!

[@d4a]

I saw that avatar of yours and started panicking. But then! Relief! Sweet, sweet, relief. What will I do with all this newly gained free time? A quiet evening? A light dinner? Maybe even a book? Oh no.... I'm getting greedy.

[@claudedottin1312]

driving 4 answers 😂😂😂

[@EvLSpectre]

For the most part yea, this engine is a monster and reliable. People who complain they blow up just do not do any maintenance they require. Really the only thing wrong is they do not like bouncing off rev limiter hard because of rocker arms tendency to want to fly. But my SR20DE(T) is still kicking along, still the original bottom end DE from 91 pushing 15psi of boost.

[@seanb9698]

I had a '91 240SX in 1998 when I was 16, I remember scouring the early internet dreaming of buying and swapping an SR20 into it

[@dorkidori]

Factory boost level for the redtop/blacktop motors was 12psi that was gated back to roughly 7psi in higher RPMs by a vacuum controlled boost solenoid. when the boost solenoid is removed, the spring on the T25s wastegate is only rated to 7psi.

[@larrysheran]

If you haven't done so, maybe a video explaining the VQ35DE or VQ Family Nissan Engines. Thanks for the great informative videos!!

[@cre8tivegarage157]

Thanks for bringing us yet another vibe 🥂 enjoyed

[@MeijndertMotorsport]

Nice video. To bad you didn't catch the whole SR range though. SR20DE, SR20VE, SR16VE, etc.

[@オッさんタイプXの日産に乗る]

Car: ’05 Nissan Silvia S15 Engine: SR20 Driver: Muhammed Ali allahu akbar 1/4 Best ET: 6.228 @ 226.81 MPH Track: Orlando Speed World Date: Oct 27, 2018 Status: Active The driver of this Nissan S15 is Muhammad Ali, and his ride is the quickest and fastest SR20-powered ride on the planet. He has some badass people helping him make things happen and he does a great job behind the wheel as well. MazWorx built and tuned the chassis to the SR20, which cranked out over 1,800 horsepower on the dyno at 60 pounds of boost. Legendary tuning guru Shane Tecklenburg handles the tuning of the car and you can tell it’s got his stamp all over it, running both ridiculously quick and consistent, which shows the tune is near perfect and they aren’t just taking stabs at the parameters to see what works. Anybody who knows anything about Shane T knows his rides are consistently quick like this and shatter records regularly, proof that he’s the man in the tuning world. The numbers the car puts up at almost perfectly on par with NHRA Pro Stock, allowing me the opportunity to make a comparison between the drastically different combinations. Pro Stock rules, as most of you know, mandate naturally aspirated powerplants, while this SR20 is crammed with almost 70 pounds of boost at speed on the track. Of course, it has half of the cylinders of the 500 CID V8 under the hood of a Pro Stocker, which makes around 1,500 horsepower. So how does the Pro Stocker run the same ET with less horsepower? The answer is contained within the interview with Mark from MazWorx, who talks about the chassis. See if you guys can determine the difference and let us know what you think.

[@dorkidori]

agreed! less talking about drifting and more talking about the varieties of SR family.

[@fastinradfordable]

A vw beetle type1 engine has run the 1/4 in 6s at over 220mph. Oh, and it was n/a. Just food for thought.

[@TurboHappyCar]

Really good stuff man! These videos are killin' it.

[@xcixera9986]

Do long iconic engine on the rb26dett and 1jz/2jzgte and your channel will will blow up the internet

[@s14boy]

Haha that’s awesome you used a pic of my car for the end of s15.

[@tramlink8544]

ive got a SR2DE in my 1996 Nissan Primera P11 SRI, great engines!

[@dan_the_drifter321]

I bought my s14a 7 years ago and still running same engine and box I bought it with, had a lot of drifting abuse for the past 5/6 years but if you look after them (like anything really) they can last a long time!

[@phantom0456]

I can’t imagine how sick it would’ve been if the 91 Sentra SE-R had received an SR20-DET instead of merely getting the SR20DE. It was still a great car, but with the turbo version it would’ve been awe-inspiring, especially in the early 90’s.

[@johnshaw8013]

I had two 200SX S14a 15 years ago.... wish I had kept hold of them!

[@AhmedAhmed-dh7yd]

Great content! I own a stock unicorn s13 in pristine condition. Don’t plan on drifting it! No bolts or screws on the body either!

[@davkdavk]

I have a stock S14 Kouki Unicorn . Lol

[@danronck3636]

Amazing video as usual🙏🙏🙏

[@zandozman]

Great little engines

[@k-ron3867]

Thank u so much I was looking for a video about the sr20det u rock bro🤯🙏🤘😌😌

[@DarkMarkMedia]

Great video, would love to see video on the ca18det!

[@filipbrecelj669]

May, I sugest that for the next iconic engine we vote for it. You can simply give us a few choices, create a poll on YT and we vote. How does that sound?

[@d4a]

I did that once. That's the order I based my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th videos on. I might do it again, we'll see.

[@robertlund5694]

Polls suck

[@eNeRGizer99Nick]

Love the vids man, keep them up! I cant see the link to the hi res Table anywhere?

[@bennyz1971]

Again great video. I personal like longer videos Very good idea to show a AEM product in details for advertisment. Still asking for the Ford Pinto, Zetec S and the Duratec/MZR. Have a good time

[@d4a]

Thank you! Mzr will be covered definitely, can't tell yet when but it gets requested occasionally.

[@MrPaNiQ]

GTI-R version has solid lifters

[@yuriykornilov7014]

Great video BuD.thank u!!!

[@danilorodriguez4665]

Great video as usual cheers

[@downwithtrudeau]

Sr20det gets really good smiles per gallon

[@shockasuarss7007]

The rap killed me, lol. Thanks as always for the video

[@BigSisLilBruh]

Great elaborated information!

[@CHEVYK10]

Had a highport N/A jdm sr20 (back when they were still $400 delivered off eBay) in a nx2000 I can attest to it's durability. I had a reputation in town for being the guy who had a nitrous nx2000. Which it never did have it . I never could convince anyone that yes this little car pulls that hard without a bottle. Lost the number 3 rod bearing at 275k It earned every mile

[@frnvito]

the na sr20de is extremely different than the sr20det

[@claudedottin1312]

Good job even listening to you relaxes me a bit. No weird stuff lol.

[@Avke92]

Great video, I love this. Can you cover the Scandinavian iconic motor, the Volvo red block like b230fk? 😁

[@jacobsmith9947]

You should do Iconic engines with small engines like briggs and Stratton Predator engines and how they changed go carting

[@cristobalcardenas2418]

The last y most powerful evolution was the sr20vet 8h6 equipped in the Xtrail GT. 300 hp from factory and Neovvl system (Nissan’s equivalent of Honda’s VTEC)

[@wilberstarz8736]

Nice video man! Subscribed

[@TheGamingGoatChannel]

You should make a video of all the sr20 variants. This video is only based on the rwd sr20det. The DET is outdated (but still good) there's an sr20VET which is the latest entry in the sr20 engines.

[@lobotomyy]

Great video ! But i'm pretty sure the sr20 has nicasil coating instead of steel liners

[@Scisca1a2a]

SR20DET is cool, but SR20VET is where it's at!

[@TwoToneProduc]

Great video !

[@nigelmcclure6440]

Hey there bud you should definitely do a video on VQ35DE

[@yenlewis701]

nice video bro

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Короче склифосовский!!

[@marcowei1847]

Thanks for this video...helped alot

[@AdamMGTF]

I took a shot every time I heard the word iconic... I got much drunk.

[@chevyblazer215]

Sr20det is an ok engine love nissan jdm engines had my best luck from the rb20/25det engines tho.

[@datsun510zen5]

I'm a Big fan of the SR20 after swapping an s13 black top in my Datsun 510 with a GT3071R. Laggy as catsup until 5K then suddenly your balls were in the back seat. More fun then should be allowed on the street. Now pushing 22psi with a T3 GTX2867R making 352 hp at the wheels on E85. Not crazy power but in a 2000lb. RWD car it's stupid fast. With boost coming on at 2.5k building gradually the Gen 2 disco potato is a much better match with 2.0L displacement and our power goals for Auto-X. Only thing we've done to the engine was freshen up the head, Tomei head gasket and ARP studs, but still running on stock internals and we've been beating on that thing for 6 years. SR20 FTW!!!

[@12345678939218]

Oh, Silvia S15 SR20DET dream car

[@galaxydrifter9799]

Same but I feel like it should have come with something better than the sr20 but not as good as the 1jz, like a weaker vr38

[@raysampson3993]

U have to make an engine review for H22...

[@juanc5149]

Overheats .

[@edwinsilvacolon4689]

Make a rotary video... love your videos

[@abrahmc8568]

I don't know if you did already, but do one on the vr6!

[@d4a]

Haven't yet, will do.

[@DINO-wo5ee]

I just bought a car from mainland that is pretty rare to find and it has a sr20det neo vvl slapped into it. It’s a Nissan x trail GT 2001 and I’ve been trying to find pets for it but never seem to find any

[@arno838]

the s-sexy had me so good hahaha didn't see that one coming

[@johnshaw8013]

I've owned a couple of tuned S14a 200SX's.... Best car I ever owned and both are truly missed! Got an BMW F30 335d XD now that is far more capapble, it just has no sole!

[@rollarocka9592]

Debt. In Australia from when it was released we pronounced it SR20 DEBT (minus the B) as opposed to D.E.T. just to add to the history of the engine. Cool video.

[@frnvito]

in Australia you guys also say nissin instead of nissan and GDR instead of GTR 😂

[@Fredrick656]

@@frnvito ok “Neesun” lover

[@frnvito]

@@Fredrick656 never heard that one before, i prefer to pronounce it correctly 😅

[@navara8so]

It was weird hearing you didn't talk about the fact that sr is a very top end engine and one of the main upgrades to actually drift it is a clutch because you going to use it a lot. Also, shame, you didn't mention the only person who still uses sr in pro drift successfully.

[@robertlund5694]

Tonnes of people still use sr , who cares about pro!

[@mrodriguez124578]

Please do 1JZ or JZ series!

[@shakercrouch]

Haha I think @stephaniedrifts would disagree with you on the 4A-GE. Enjoyed the video :)

[@midianalbertokhaiyow8195]

lovly video... need to talk about SR20VE...

[@Megalopros]

wow...didn't know you could get aprox 400 hp from this engine using parts of the era, if we narrow the time up to 2002, how much hp would be possible from an SR20 DET while still being relatively safe/reliable

[@fastinradfordable]

Safe. What a funny word. That only has what meaning you give to it. Are you safe right now? That’s for each own to decide.

[@japeExplores]

Sr20det.....🤩

[@Drunken_Hamster]

14:50 Out here making V8 boys double-take!

[@conradsealy9603]

#SR20FORLIFE

[@carsonac4163]

THIS GUY LOOKS LIKE THE FERRARI PARKING GARAGE GUY FROM THE MOVIE FERRIS BULLER

[@davidgraham7646]

Ditch the rap session man. Really loved the video though.

[@levibazen608]

So...were just not gonna talk about the rocker arms going space shuttle status at redline??

[@enterthebase]

15:38?

[@LMSCa18det]

You dont mention the SR20VE (T), which resolve the common rocker arm failing issue at hight RPM. Plus the VE head have better airflow than a max out ported VTC head (and more RPM for fun.

[@otis3500]

Hey, I'd like some information on the sr20vet, like what needs to be done to get from 280hp 350+whp.

[@LMSCa18det]

@@otis3500 if you start from the one and only SR20VET from Factory (xtrail) it's quite easy to go from 280 to 350+HP. Just a mater of bigger injectors, maybe better intercooler, exhaust and a tunable ecu. But you have to know that this particulary SR20 block is FWD only like the primera one. So most of the time you need to swap the VE head on the DE rwd block, its extra work and cost.

[@otis3500]

@@LMSCa18det I actually put it in a 2010 4wd Hyundai Santa Fe, it's a sweet project. Just need more power.

[@thesoundofmypeople]

I thought you would mention the VET aswell..

[@robertlund5694]

Thats a head conversion

[@kinslayergaming3159]

@@robertlund5694 there is a stock SR20VET in the nissan xtrail it makes 280hp at the crank

[@DickTurbanHighwayPlopper]

N1 SR16VE too. 8 fuel injectors. Top and side feed.

[@laurantbyfield1579]

Finalllllyyy!!!!!

[@alirezafasihi1125]

It's so interesting for me to know about Japanese engines from 90s, they are great. I spend my times on German engines from that era. I like to know your opinion on some of them like M112 and M113. I think they're the most reliable engine from Germany. there are some around here on W203 and W211 chassis with about 600K km to 800k km without any major repair...

[@TheGabe92]

Only rust or infidelity can divorce you from an M111 equipped car.

[@adamwilder3424]

You didnt mention the 98 200sx...which is the info I came for lol

[@audioamateur]

great video man

[@niccolusmoses5298]

Rocker Arms.

[@griplimit]

There is something wrong with spec sheet. It says the S14 has a T25 but they have a T28. Note: Euro models use journal bearings, JDM models use dual ball bearings.

[@zandozman]

I forget, do the s14's have the same t25 turbines though?

[@griplimit]

@@zandozman no, the JDM s14’s come with T28 turbo’s the same as S15’s with some small differences. Sorry for late response.

[@twistedlanez2135]

Do a RB iconic engine

[@themonolithian]

3rd. Love the sr20

[@samiam9059]

VQ-6 has been on wards 11 times over a decade... rather have that. Oh, I do....The respected VQ-series V-6 powers a variety of Nissan and Infiniti-brand cars, CUVs, trucks and SUVs, and it has been a favorite of WardsAuto editors for two decades. In displacements ranging from 3.0L to 3.7L, it made the Wards 10 Best Engines list 14 years straight from 1995 to 2008. But it’s hard to keep up that pace forever when all-new powertrains are being introduced by competitors at unprecedented rates. Eventually the VQ became a bit less competitive in fuel efficiency and in some applications lost refinement as displacement and output increased. But now it’s back after an 8-year hiatus for a 15th Wards 10 Best Engines award. Kentaro Watanabe, senior manager-Powertrain Engineering at Nissan Technical Center North America, says the primary design objectives for this nearly 2/3-new VQ V-6 were: “Improve engine efficiency for better vehicle fuel economy; meet stringent emissions regulations of LEV3-ULEV125 as well as MSAT (mobile source air toxic emissions); maintain previous-model engine NVH and achieve 300 horsepower without compromising any of the above.” All of which the VQ engine team have more than accomplished. There is no question the new VQ’s NVH is better in the ’16 Maxima than the same-size 290-hp outgoing VQ V-6 was in the ’15 version. And its fuel efficiency is well up from the previous 19/26 mpg (12.4-9.0 L/100 km) city/highway. “It’s quiet and smooth, with just enough grunt,” says editor Dave Zoia. “VQ is back!” And while most other automakers are phasing out V-6s in favor of smaller, lighter and typically more fuel-thrifty turbocharged 4-cyl. engines in their midsize, and some larger, cars and CUVs, this much-improved DOHC, 24-valve, all-aluminum 3.5L V-6 is the only engine offered in the ’16 Maxima, which Nissan bills as a “large” sedan. And it’s not even (yet) direct-fuel-injected, making do instead with less complex and less expensive port fuel injection. VQs powering the new Pathfinder and Armada trucks do feature Nissan's new direct-injection system. Nevertheless, it spins out a healthy 300 horsepower at 6,400 rpm (that’s 85.7 hp/L specific output) and a strong 261 lb.-ft. (354 Nm) of torque at 4,400 rpm while scoring very respectable 22/30 mpg (10.7-7.8 L/100 km) city/highway fuel-economy ratings from the EPA. During their driving and testing, WardsAuto editors “routinely” topped 25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km), and some saw as much as 30 mpg in real-world driving. To refresh readers’ memories, here is what the judges wrote about the award-winning 3.7L VQ back in 2008, its last Wards 10 Best honor until now: “When Nissan engineers kicked off design of an all-new V-6 engine family 18 (now 26) years ago, they planned to make it at least the equal of any, and better than most. They could not have predicted how powerful, popular and prolific it would be nearly two decades later. “GM has its legendary small-block V-8, BMW its silky in-line six, VW/Audi their mighty-mite turbo four. Now Nissan has its signature VQ V-6 powering nearly everything it makes midsize and up,” we wrote. “Together with bold, distinctive styling, it also arguably powered the company’s comeback from the brink of bankruptcy earlier this century, at least in the U.S. market.” The first all-aluminum VQ V-6 debuted in 1994 in 2.0L, 2.5L and 3.0L displacements, the latter bringing 190 horses and 205 lb.-ft. (278 Nm) of torque to new U.S.-market ’95 Nissan Maxima and Infiniti i30 sedans. It was relatively light and compact, with lightweight internal parts, micro-finished camshafts and crankshaft, molybdenum-coated pistons and a 2-way cooling system that enables the block to warm up more quickly for reduced emissions. 61% New Parts Today, the thoroughly upgraded VQ35, which comes standard in the all-new ’16 Maxima sport sedan, is 61% new, according to Nissan. Up top, its redesigned intake manifold (with wider and shorter runners), heads and combustion chambers give it significantly better flow for higher output. At its bottom end, a much stiffer new oil pan reduces vibration. In between, it boasts reduced friction throughout, “intermediate locking valve timing” for more complete combustion and sodium-filled exhaust valves (from Eaton) that conduct heat away from its combustion chambers. “The improved VQ makes for light, lively and refined power delivery through an ideally suited continuously variable transmission. We barely miss the shift points,” writes editor Tom Murphy. “For more than 20 years, the VQ’s calling card has been its unmistakably creamy midrange. But the new version displays a lot more composure when pushed hard, even to the brink of the 6,600-rpm redline.” He sums it up as, “a modern, silky smooth V-6 that can pull extra duty in luxury cars, sport sedans, CUVs and even pickup trucks.” Nissan’s Watanabe adds that the engine team’s toughest challenge was reaching that customer-pleasing performance/efficiency balance along with the improved NVH levels. Another difficult challenge, he says, was optimizing the cylinder head port shape for higher tumble flow with less flow restriction, and the engineers made extensive use of computational fluid dynamics to accomplish that. Also proving challenging was precision-tuning both the spark and the valve timing and stiffening up the oil pan to suppress the additional engine vibrations that resulted from rapid combustion due to the high tumble ratio. Did any key engineering innovations help the team achieve its goals? Yes, he says and among the most important are “a highly optimized short intake manifold and long exhaust system, a larger-event-angle exhaust cam phaser and a low-flow-restriction exhaust catalyst,” in addition to the vibration-fighting oil pan. Among this new VQ’s key suppliers are Mann + Hummel for the intake manifold, Arvin Sango and Calsonic Kansei for the exhaust system, Hitachi for the cam phasor, Bocar for the oil pan and Nemak for the cylinder head casting. As smooth, powerful and efficient as WardsAuto editors deemed this renewed 3.5LV-6 to be in their ’16 Maxima test car, Watanabe says there remains room for improvement in future generations in both output and energy efficiency. In addition to further friction reductions and combustion system improvements, expansion of gasoline direct injection is likely to be at the top of the list, along with the higher compression ratios GDI will enable.

[@joebrown9621]

do the SR16VE, 20VE and the SR20VET series next as a follow up.. and the end of Nissan's performance decision which did cheap power for the masses 😔

[@mikeyog4309]

I have an sr20de in my 2000 infiniti g20, goal is to engine swap it to the det

[@JohnDoe-eu1lc]

Would love to hear what you have to say about Nissan’s VQ series of engines.

[@d4a]

VQ is coming too

[@fyzikal5]

@@d4a how soon