Nissan VG30ET (3.0 L, 12 valve) V6 turbo Engine Specs, Review & Service Data

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Nissan VG30ET Engine Specs

The Nissan VG30ET is a turbocharged 3.0 l (180.62 cu.in. 2,960 cc) V6 60° straight-four, four-stroke cycle gasoline engine from Nissan VG-family.

The Nissan VG30ET engine is fitted with multi-point fuel injection and a mechanically timed electrical ignition system with a single ignition coil and mechanical distributor. 

The Nissan VG30ET engine delivered from 203 PS (149 kW; 200 HP) of maximum horsepower for USDM and JDM to 234 PS (172 kW; 230 HP) for the European market and from 308 Nm (31.42 kg·m; 227.3 ft·lb) to 342 Nm (34.88 kg·m; 252.4 ft·lb) of torque, respectively.

In April 1987, the “W” series VG30 was released, and the output power was increased to 208 PS (153 kW; 205 Horsepower).

The Nissan VG30ET engine cylinder bore, and the piston stroke is 87.0 mm (3.43 in) and 83.0 mm (3.27 in), respectively.

The Nissan VG30ET engine’s early version had a compression ratio rating of 7.8:1. Since 1988, the compression ratio was increased to 8.3:1. 

The Nissan VG30ET engine features a cast-iron block, two aluminum heads with single overhead camshafts, and two valves per cylinder.

Until 1987 the engine used a Garrett T3 turbocharger (6.8 psi; 0.47 bar); since the 1988 model year, the Nissan VG30ET engine has used Garrett T25 (4.5 psi; 0.31 bar) to reduce turbo lag.

The breakdown of the Nissan VG30ET engine code is as follows:

  • VG – Engine Family
  • 30 – 3.0 Liter Displacement
  • E – Multi-Point Fuel Injection
  • T – Turbocharged

Nissan VG30ET Engine Specs

Nissan VG30ET (3.0 L, 12 valve) V6 turbo Engine Specs

Engine Specifications

Engine code VG30ET
Layout Four stroke, V6
Fuel type Gasoline (petrol)
Production  
Displacement 3.0L, 2,960 cc (180.62 cu in)
Fuel system Multi Point Fuel Injection
Power adder Garrett T3, Garrett T25
Power output 195 PS (143 kW; 192 HP) at 5,200 rpm
203 PS (149 kW; 200 HP) at 5,200 rpm
208 PS (153 kW; 205 HP) at 5,200 rpm
234 PS (172 kW; 230 HP) at 5,200 rpm
Torque output 308 Nm (31.42 kg·m; 227.3 ft·lb)
342 Nm (34.88 kg·m; 252.4 ft·lb)
Firing order 1-2-3-4-5-6
Dimensions (L x W x H): –
Weight ~ 220 kg (485 lbs)

Cylinder head

Block head alloy Aluminium
Valve Arrangement: SOHC, belt drive
Head surface flatness Less than 0.05 mm (0.002 in)
Valves: 12 (2 valves per cylinder)
Intake valve timing 252°
“W” – 248°
Exhaust valve timing: 252°
“W” – 248°
Valve head diameter: INTAKE 42.0-42.2 mm (1.654-1.661 in)
EXHAUST 35.0-35.2 mm (1.378-1.386 in)
Valve length: INTAKE 125.3-125.9 mm (4.93-4.96 in)
EXHAUST 124.2-124.8 mm (4.89-4.91 in)
Valve stem diameter: INTAKE 6.965-6.980 mm (0.2743-0.2748 in)
EXHAUST 7.945-7.960 mm (0.3128-0.3134 in)
Valve spring free length: OUTER 51.2 mm (2.016 in)
INNER 44.9 mm (1.768 in)
Camshaft cam height: INTAKE 39.607-39.657 mm (1.5593-1.5613 in)
39.537-39.727 mm (1.5566-1.5641 in)
EXHAUST 39.607-39.657 mm (1.5593-1.5613 in)
39.537-39.727 mm (1.5566-1.5641 in)
Camshaft journal diameter: 46.935-46.955 mm (1.8478-1.8486 in)

Head tightening procedure and torque specs:

  • Step 1: 39 Nm; 4.0 kg·m; 29 ft·lb
  • Step 2: 123 Nm; 12.5 kg·m; 90 ft·lb
  • Step 3: Loosen all bolts completely
  • Step 4: 34-44 kg·m; 3.5-4.5 kg·m; 25-33 ft·lb
  • Step 5: Turn all bolts 65-70° or to 123 Nm; 12.5 kg·m; 90 ft·lb

Camshaft sprocket bolts

  • 78-88 Nm; 8.0-9.0 kg·m; 58-65 ft·lb

Cylinder block

Cylinder block alloy Cast-iron
Compression ratio: 7.8:1 or 8.3:1
Cylinder bore: 87.0 mm (3.43 in)
Piston stroke: 83.0 mm (3.27 in)
Number of piston rings (compression / oil): 2 / 1
Number of main bearings: 4
Cylinder inner diameter (standard): 87.000-87.010 mm (3.4252-3.4256 in)
Piston skirt diameter (standard): 86.967-86.975 mm (3.4238-3.4242 in)
Piston pin outer diameter: 20.993-20.998 mm (0.8265-0.8267 in)
Piston ring side clearance: Top 0.040-0.073 mm (0.0016-0.0029 in)
Second 0.030-0.063 mm (0.0012-0.0025 in)
Piston ring end gap: Top 0.21-0.44 mm (0.0083-0.0173 in)
Second 0.18-0.44 mm (0.0083-0.0173 in)
Oil 0.20-0.72 mm (0.0079-0.0299 in)
Connecting rod small end diameter: 20.958-20.971 mm (0.8251-0.8256 in)
Connecting rod center distance: 154.1-154.2 mm (6.067-6.071 in)
Crankshaft main journal diameter: 62.975 mm (2.4763 in)
Crankpin diameter: 49.974 mm (1.9675 in)
Crankshaft center distance: 41.47-41.53 mm (1.6327-1.6350 in)

Main bearing cap bolts tightening procedure and torque specs:

  • 90-100 Nm; 9.2-10.2 kg·m; 67-74 ft·lb in two-three stages

After securing bearing cap bolts, make sure crankshaft turns smoothly by hand.

Connecting rod bearing nut

  • Step 1: 14-16 Nm; 1.4-1.6 kg·m; 10-12 ft·lb
  • Step 2: Turn nuts 60-65° or 59-65 Nm; 6.0-6.6 kg·m; 43-48 ft·lb

Crankshaft pulley bolt

  • 123-132 Nm; 12.5-13.5 kg·m; 90-98 ft·lb

Flywheel (M/T) or Drive plate (A/T) fixing bolts

  • 83-93 Nm; 8.5-9.5 kg·m; 61-69 ft·lb

Maintenance Data

Compression pressure
Standard 11.9 kg/m2 (169 psi) / 300 rpm
Minimun 8.8 kg/m2 (125 psi) / 300 rpm
Compression differential limit between cylinders 1.0 kg/m2 (15 psi) / 300 rpm
Oil system
Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles) up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles)
Recommended engine oil 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-40, 20W-50
Oil type API API SF
Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity) With filter change 4.0 l (4-1/4 Us. qt., 3-1/2 Imp. qt)
Without filter change 3.3 l (3-1/2 Us. qt., 2-7/8 Imp. qt.)
Oil change interval, km (miles) Every 12,000 (7,500)
Ignition system
Spark plug Standard type: NGK BCPR6E-11
Hot type: BCPR5E-11
Cold type: BCPR7E-11
Spark plug gap 1.0-1.1 mm (0.039-0.043 in)

Vehicle Applications

Model Years Produced
Nissan 300ZX Turbo (Z31) 1984–1989
Nissan Leopard –
Nissan Gloria (Y30, Y31) –
Nissan Cedric (Y30, Y31) –
Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo Racecar –

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Final Words

This concludes our discussion of the Nissan VG30ET (3.0 L, 12 valve) V6 turbo Engine specs and review; however, if you have any questions regarding this article, please submit them in the comment section below. We will do our best to respond to you as soon as possible.

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