One of the biggest bangers currently available at the Japanese import wreckers is the Nissan VH45DE – a 4.5 litre V8.
The VH45DE boasts DOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder breathing together with a curious intake manifold that creates the illusion that the engine is designed for transverse mounting – it isn’t. The VH45DE’s compression ratio is 10.2:1 you’ll find a huge 75mm throttle body (which is a hot item in itself). The heads and block are made from alloy while the steel crankshaft is safe to spin to a 6700 cut-out.
The big V8 was reserved for Nissan Japan ’s high-end rear-wheel-drive saloons between 1989 and 1996. In Infiniti Q45 trim, the engine officially makes 206kW at 6000 rpm and 400Nm at 4000 rpm (on premium unleaded fuel). The Nissan President version is rated at 199kW at 5600 rpm and 394Nm at 4000 rpm.
So what’s the mechanical difference between the Q45 and President engine, you ask?
Well, we believe that the Q45-spec engine was fitted with variable inlet cam timing to help make more grunt than the President. And rumour has it that the Q45 engine makes considerably more than the claimed 206kW...
Bob Dunn – the head of Adelaide Japanese Imports - says the VH45DE has recently become quite popular in Australia and availability in Japan is not a problem. He’s seen these engines go into ski boats, Nissan Patrol 4WDs and an old Holden ute - but these are a bulky engine that won’t fit into just anything. Oh, and the VH45DE was fitted with a 4-speed automatic transmission – a manual ‘box was not offered.
A bare VH45DE is currently worth AUD$1850 while an engine package (with loom, ECU and sensors) fetches around AUD$2500. These engines are rarely given a thrashing in Japan and Bob isn’t aware of any reliability issues – keep in mind the VH-series engine was used as the platform in 450 – 500kW Indy cars...
coupled to that spare nissan case i have and a set of mog's.......should make a sweet buggy......enough
