Engine characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Tochigi Plant |
| Engine brand | VR38 |
| Years of manufacture | 2007-present |
| Cylinder block material | aluminum |
| Power system | injector |
| Type | V-type |
| Number of cylinders | 6 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 88.4 |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 95.5 |
| Compression ratio | 9.0 |
| Engine displacement, cc | 3799 |
| Engine power, hp/rpm | 480/6400, 485/6400, 530/6400, 545/6400, 565/6800, 600/6800 |
| Torque, Nm/rpm | 588/3200-5200, 612/3200-6000, 632/3200-5800, 633/3300-5800, 652/3600-5600 |
| Fuel | 98 |
| Environmental regulations | Euro 5/6 |
| Engine weight, kg | 276 |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | – city: 16.9, – highway: 8.8, – mixed: 11.7 |
| Oil consumption, gr./1000 km | to 1000 |
| Engine oil | 0W-40, 10W-40 |
| How much oil in the engine, liters | 5.5 (2007-2011), 5.0 (2011+) |
| Oil change is carried out, km | 10000 (better 5000) |
| Engine operating temperature, deg. | – |
| Engine life, thousand kilometers | – according to the factory data: -, in practice: 200+ |
| Tuning, hp | – potential: 700+, – without loss of resource: – |
| Motor installed | Nissan GTR R35 |
| Nissan Juke R |
Nissan GTR VR38DETT engine troubleshooting and repair
VR38DETTIn 2007, after a short break, was revived to all known Nissan GTR and as an engine in it, instead of the past inline six RB26DETT, used a new 3.8 liter VR38DETT. This motor was based on the successful VQ37VHR, but the cylinder block was completely redesigned: it is still an aluminum V6 with a 60° camber, but instead of liners, a plasma-applied layer of mild steel (0.15 mm thick) is used. The height of the cylinder block on the GTR is 244 mm, it has a crankshaft with a stroke of 88.4 mm, connecting rods 165 mm long, pistons with a compression height of 34.3 mm, under compression ratio 9. All this made it possible to get 3.8 liters of displacement.
On top of two aluminum cylinder heads with 4 valves per cylinder and with a system of continuous variable valve timing on the intake camshafts CVTCS. The standard camshafts on the VR38DETT are 238/248 phase, 9.56/9.88 mm lift. Inlet valves 37mm diameter, exhaust valves 32.2mm diameter, stem diameter 6mm.
The intake camshafts are driven by a timing chain, which in turn, by two smaller chains, drive the exhaust camshafts. The timing chain is quite reliable, but after 100 thousand kilometers it is desirable to check its condition.
The VR38DETT engine is equipped with two turbochargers IHI RHF55, the boost pressure is 0.75 bar.
This is enough to produce 485 hp at 6400 rpm and 588 Nm of torque at 3200-5200 rpm.
Since mid-November 2010, Nissan GTR engine was produced, which significantly increased in power and reached the figure of 530 hp at 6400 rpm, and torque was 612 Nm at 3200-6000 rpm. This was achieved mainly due to increased boost pressure (0.9 bar), a slightly freer intake and a larger diameter exhaust system.
A year later, at the end of November 2011, the injectors were replaced with more productive ones, crankcase pan, bypass valve, also redesigned intake manifold, control unit firmware, thus bringing the power to 545 hp at 6400 rpm, and torque to 632 Nm at 3200-5800 rpm.
After 2 years the Nissan GTR Nismo model was produced, the engine of which was able to develop 600 hp at 6800 rpm, and torque reached 652 Nm at 3600-5600 rpm. This VR38 was fitted with IHI turbos from the GTR Nismo GT3, a new fuel pump, and a revised ignition system.
In 2016, the GTR was shown with the next restyling during which some modifications were made to the motor: increased boost pressure, modified ignition system, installed a new titanium exhaust system. All this gave the opportunity to remove 565 hp at 6800 and torque of 633 Nm at 3300-5800 rpm.
Together with the VR38DETT, a smaller displacement version with direct fuel injection – VR30DDTT – is also produced.
Problems and disadvantages of Nissan GTR engines
Motors VR38DETT in the stock are very reliable and trouble-free, these engines can go 150-200+ thousand kilometers. Copies with really high mileage probably do not exist (for it is not a daily car), so it is difficult to know its ultimate life.
Nissan GTR engine tuning (VR38DETT)
Stage 1-2
The GTR engine has a good amount of power increase on standard turbos. The first option is the so called Stage 1 – control box firmware. You need to buy Cobb AccessPORT and on the firmware Stage 1, on 98-m gasoline, you will get about 570-580 hp, on the restyling (GTR to the end of 2010) power will be lower by about 25-30 hp. The same with exhaust without catalytic converters will give about 600 hp on the restyling. Having bought 90 mm exhaust system from turbines, 3-inch intake, filters of reduced resistance, injectors 1000 ss, two Walbro 255 lph and on Stage 2 you will get about 650 hp on 98-m petrol, on sport fuel about 700-720 hp. This is the limit for stock turbines and generally recognized limit at which the car remains reliable and urban. Besides, with more power it is necessary to finalize the box, therefore Nissan GTR Stage 2 is the most optimal variant.
In addition to Cobb, on this configuration you can tune to Ecutek, it is an excellent and quite popular option.
A successful HKS GT800 (or any other) turbo kit, intercoolers, and forged pistons, connecting rods, camshafts, etc. can be used to get a reliable 800 hp.
MOTOR RATING: 5