The 4.5-liter Nissan VH45DE engine (or VH45 for short) was produced from 1989 to 2002 in Japan and was installed only on the especially luxurious President model and the American Infiniti Q45. This power unit is very popular for self-swap on sports cars.
Features of the VH45DE engine: forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods, 6-bolt main bearing caps, lightweight molybdenum-coated pistons, exhaust camshafts made of special materials, hydraulic lifters are present.
VH family: VH41DE, VH45DE.
Specifications
| Production years | 1989-2002 |
| Displacement, cc | 4494 |
| Fuel system | injector |
| Power output, hp | 278/6000 |
| Torque output, Nm | 396 |
| Cylinder block | aluminum V8 |
| Block head | aluminum 32v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 93 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 82.7 |
| Compression ratio | 10.2 |
| Hydraulic lifters | yes |
| Timing drive | single row chain |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 5.6 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Euro standards | EURO 3/4 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Nissan President 2000) — city — highway — combined |
16.6 12.4 14.7 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~350 000 |
| Weight, kg | 237 |
| Oil consumption, gr/1000 km | up to 1000 |
| Oil change interval, km | 10000 |
The engine was installed on:
- Nissan President 2 (HG50) in 1990 – 2002;
- Infiniti Q45 1 (G50) in 1989 – 1996.
Disadvantages of the VH45DE engine
- The only weak point of the internal combustion engine is the plastic timing chain guides;
- On the electrical side, knock sensors periodically disturb, as well as a mass air flow sensor;
- In all other respects, the reliability of the motor is almost exemplary, and its resource is huge.
Frequently asked questions about the Nissan VH45DE
How much power does the Nissan VH45DE make?
Power output of the Nissan VH45DE, hp: 278/6000. Torque, Nm: 396.
How much oil does the Nissan VH45DE take and which one?
Engine oil capacity: 5.6 liters. Recommended oil: 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40.
Does the Nissan VH45DE have a timing belt or chain?
Timing drive of the Nissan VH45DE: single row chain.
Is the Nissan VH45DE turbocharged?
No, the Nissan VH45DE is naturally aspirated.
Does the Nissan VH45DE need valve clearance adjustment?
No, the Nissan VH45DE has hydraulic lifters, so the valve clearances do not need to be adjusted.
How long does the Nissan VH45DE last?
The typical lifespan of the Nissan VH45DE is ~350 000 km with proper maintenance.
What is the fuel consumption of the Nissan VH45DE?
Nissan President 2000: city 16.6, highway 12.4, combined 14.7 L/100 km.
What cars was the Nissan VH45DE installed on?
Nissan President 2 (HG50) in 1990 - 2002; Infiniti Q45 1 (G50) in 1989 - 1996.
What are the common problems of the Nissan VH45DE?
The only weak point of the internal combustion engine is the plastic timing chain guides. On the electrical side, knock sensors periodically disturb, as well as a mass air flow sensor. All known problems.
What engines are related to the Nissan VH45DE?
VH family: VH41DE.
