Nissan 3.0L 6-cylinder

Nissan 3.0L 6-cylinder — every model and year that used this engine (8 models, 1985–2023), based on NHTSA VIN build data, with links to prices and reliability.

3.0L · 6 cylinders · seen in 8 models, 1985–2023

By the numbers

Output range 151–155 hp (median 155 hp). Gasoline: 99%. Based on 178 decoded NHTSA VIN build sheets.

About this engine family

The VG engine is a family of V6 engines designed and produced by Nissan between 1983 and 2004.

In detail

Development of the VG series began in 1979 by Nissan Machinery, a former member of the Nissan Group keiretsu. The objective was to replace the inline 6 L engine, which traces its roots back to the Mercedes-Benz M180 engine introduced in 1951, with an all-new V6 engine. Nissan engineers wanted the VG to have improved performance, fuel economy, reliability, and refinement, while being both lighter and more compact than its predecessor.

The resulting engine was designed from scratch, sharing little to no mechanical components with its predecessor or any other automaker. It was added to a new engine family name PLASMA (Powerful ＆ Economic, Lightweight, Accurate, Silent, Mighty, Advanced). Extensive computer design techniques were used during development, which made the VG series one of the most advanced and high-tech engines of its day. The VG engine series featured a sequential multi-port fuel injection system, and Nissan's Electronic Concentrated Control System (ECCS).

ECCS used a microprocessor and an oxygen sensor to control fuel delivery, spark timing, exhaust gas recirculation rate, and engine idle speed, depending on the current operating conditions of the engine. This system reduced carbon emissions, improved fuel economy, and improved engine performance during cold-start and warm-up conditions. The advantages of the VG engine over its inline 6 predecessor was that its V6 configuration would have greater torsional rigidity for higher performance potential, and its shorter length would give Nissan designers and engineers more freedom for vehicle design, allowing for both more frontal crush zone space and transverse mounting for front-wheel-drive vehicles.

All VG engines use a timing belt to synchronize the camshafts with the crankshaft rather than a timing chain. The VG series engine was put into thousands of Nissan vehicles, debuting in Japan in the 1983 Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric, and in the US and other markets in the 1984 Nissan 300ZX. When the VQ engine debuted in 1994, the VG engine was slowly phased out in Nissan cars, and after 2002 it was only available in the Nissan Frontier and Nissan Xterra.

The VG engine was retired in 2004, by which time all V6-powered Nissans had switched to the VQ. The last known car to use a VG series engine was the Y31 Nissan Cedric (fleet use only) which used the VG20P engine from 1987 to 2007. The VG20E is a SOHC engine produced from 1983 on. It produces between and net. In the earlier gross rating system, early eighties' models claim . Applications: 1983–1987 Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric Y30 1987–1999 Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric Wagon/Van Y30 1986–1988 Nissan Bluebird Maxima U11 1986–1992 Nissan Leopard F31 1987–2002 Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric Y31 1991–1995 Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric Y32 1996–2002 Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric Y33 1997–1999 Nissan Leopard JY33 2000–2005 Hongqi Century Star - based on Hongqi CA7180 and 7202 Audi 100 based The VG20ET was based on the VG20E, but with an added variable-geometry turbocharger.

This SOHC motor was introduced after the VG20E in 1984. It was also known as the "Jet Turbo", and came with the F31 Nissan Leopard models XS, and XS-II Grand Selection from 1986 on. It produces . Contrary to the VG30ET that came out in the US, the VG20ET came with an intercooler in certain models to push the horsepower output, a great jump from the normally aspirated VG20E. The turbo included with the VG20ET had two different settings.

At low speeds, the turbo's wastegate would stay closed improving the response at low rpm. At high speeds, the flap would stay open, decreasing resistance and increasing exhaust flow. At its maximum flow, the flap would open at an angle of 27 degrees, while the A/R ranged from 0.21–0.77. Being that the VG20ET had a short stroke , it was thought to have insufficient low end torque. Nevertheless, the VG20ET was a great improvement over the VG20E.

Source: Wikipedia — Nissan VG engine, CC BY-SA.

Models that used this engine

Model Years with this engine Fuel VIN builds seen
PICKUP 1986–1995 Gasoline 56
300ZX 1985–1996 Gasoline 47
MAXIMA 1985–2001 Gasoline 39
PATHFINDER 1987–1995 Gasoline 23

Engine usage derived from NHTSA VIN build data (displacement + cylinder configuration). Model links lead to prices, generations and reliability.

For sale with this engine