Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Nissan VH45DE V8
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

so how hard is it to mod the 4 speed auto for 4wd ?

what sort of cost is the auto ?

what would be the output shaft from the auto ?

AussieCJ7 wrote:so how hard is it to mod the 4 speed auto for 4wd ?

what sort of cost is the auto ?

what would be the output shaft from the auto ?

From what others have said.
The Auto is the same box as what is in early GU's and all GQ's. So I am guessing all you need would be the output housing off a GQ/GU and teh transfercase. This would give you center rear and right side front outputs.

it is the same auto as the standard gq auto, just with a different output housing. so you can use an output housing off a gq to bolt a gq t/case to, or use a complete gq auto. the problem is that you have to use the infiniti computer to control the gearbox, and it gets confused with odd final drive gearing and puts the box into limp mode. the one my friend built ended up needing an aftermarket computer and a hell of a lot of work to get it driving as it should.

they are also a really wide engine, it would be difficult engine to be able to mount low enough to work well in a buggy, and still have enough room for shocks and tyre turn in room next to it.

but they go ridiculously hard, and are incredibly tough.

rear engined buggy then.

i'm not at all serious, i just saw it and thought i would share it

bru21 wrote:rear engined buggy then.

what about midmounted?

bogged wrote:

bru21 wrote:rear engined buggy then.

what about midmounted?

Going by most of the pics. That is how they are mounted. Just in front of the rear axle. And the rear tube work is used to support the radiator, shock mounts and panhard rod.

Eric has a new VH for his shorty now.... hes been tryin to lower it as well

Doing the conversion at the moment in a GQ shorty.
It's a bit of mucking around to do a good job (they do not fit betwwen chasis rails unless moded acc. and extractors)
Got tot keep" Mr Engineer" Happy.

If any one has questions I would be happy to help.

Rgds
Dazza

Hales231271 wrote:Doing the conversion at the moment in a GQ shorty.
It's a bit of mucking around to do a good job (they do not fit betwwen chasis rails unless moded acc. and extractors)
Got tot keep" Mr Engineer" Happy.

If any one has questions I would be happy to help.

Rgds
Dazza

in the members section, do a techo on the lot - same as Kingy is doing on his Taxi bash car

How far off finished is the shorty Dazza? Driveable? Sounds like its going to be cool truck!

Hey Paul

Yep not to far.
I reckon 3 weeks.
She is all in now and just tail shaft lengths and the wirring maze.
Can't what to see it turn those 37's.

Did you go riding at licola last week?
I heard it was a great ride.


Cheers
Dazza

Sounds like its gonna be a weapon! So how much modding did youse have to do to the chasis to get it in there? Did you move the whole lot forward, thus shaft lengths change? tell us more Dazza....


Na, didn't go to Licola, my shoulders knackered, I popped it out again at the Kenda, put it back in myself and rode the last 30k's back to the parc, gotta have it pinned if I pop it out again, so I'm gonna stick with the 4bys instead, so my cash is going into the car now. Bike is for sale by the way if you know anyone?