Nissan VG30DETT Tuning

"All you need to know about tuning the Nissan VG30DETT engine!"

This awesome 3.0-liter V6 engine made its debut in 1987 with the Nissan MID4-II concept car and from the factory boasted stock power in the region of 300hp, but as a project engine this can be substantially lifted with the right mods and upgrades.

The Nissan VG30DETT engine, a standout member of the revered VG engine family, epitomizes the potential of Japanese engineering.

Renowned for its robust design and impressive output, this engine has become a favorite base for tuners and driving aficionados looking to create a truly bespoke driving experience.

Our goal is to explore the most effective tuning strategies for the VG30DETT and identify the modifications that deliver the best results.

Understanding the VG30DETT's Tuning Potential

The VG30DETT is more than just a powerful engine; it's a versatile platform that responds exceptionally well to various modifications. From software tweaks to hardware upgrades, the right changes can transform this engine from a strong performer to a powerhouse.

One key aspect of this engines innovative design which enhances the efficiency and power of combustion is the configuration of quench pads and piston crown dynamics. See the section below under internal engine mods for a quick primer on this aspect of the VG30.

History, Power & Specs of the VG30DETT Engine

• 280 PS (206 kW; 276 HP) at 6,400 rpm 381 Nm (281 lbft) at 3,200 rpm
• 304 PS (300 hp; 224 kW) at 6400 rpm 384 Nm ( 283 lbft) at 3600 rpm
• 284 PS (209 kW; 280 HP) at 6,400 rpm 383 Nm (284 lbft) at 3,200 rpm
• 330 PS (242 kW; 325 HP) at 6,800 rpm 387 Nm ( 286 lbft) at 3,600 rpm

It was fitted to

• 1987 Nissan MID4-II Concept (non-production)
• 1989–2000 Nissan Fairlady Z Twin Turbo (Japan)
• 1990–1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo (US)

Tuning the Nissan VG30DETT and best VG30DETT performance parts.

Best VG30DETT parts

When talking about the optimum modifications for your VG30DETT engine, we are going to concentrate on the modifications that give the best power gain for you spend.

Please watch our video which covers the 5 principles of tuning your car. Be sure to keep up with our latest YouTube content and subscribe.

Best Engine Mods for your VG30DETT

1. 1. Engine Tunes - engine tuning/remapping provides the most advantage in terms of cost savings,  aftermarket ECUs, and piggyback ECUs are all alternatives.
   2. Fast road cams (exhaust side only) are one of the most significant mechanical changes, but they must be installed by someone who knows what they're doing and they are not always easy to source but you might find a local firm to regrind a stock camshaft.
   3. Intake and Exhaust Upgrades - Note that on their own these mods will NOT ADD POWER in most cases, but they can help enhance power after other mods by removing the restriction.
   4. Upgrades to turbochargers and superchargers - forced induction is the most efficient approach to increase air supply, allowing you to burn more fuel and make more power. It is one of the most costly upgrades but provides the best gains.
   5. Head work - The goals of porting and flowing the head are to get air flowing into the engine while removing flow restrictions and turbulence.
   6. Internal engine mods - porting, polishing, forged components & Lighter flywheel. Expensive and complex mods but they can help you achieve much higher power outputs.

VG30DETT Tuning Stages

Typical stage 1 mods often include:
drilled & smoothed airbox, Intake manifolds, "Mild road" exhaust camshaft, Remaps/piggy back ECU, Panel air filters, Sports exhaust header/manifold.

Typical stage 2 mods often include:
induction kit, high flow fuel injectors, fuel pump upgrades, "Fast road" exhaust cam, Ported and polished head, Sports catalyst & performance exhaust.

Typical stage 3 mods often include:
Adding or Upgrading forced induction (turbo/supercharger), Twin charging conversions, Internal engine upgrades (head flowing porting/bigger valves), Engine balancing & blueprinting, Crank and Piston upgrades to alter compression, Competition cam.

VG30DETT Camshafts & Performance Cams

Altering your VG30DETT cam will make a dramatic difference to the engine torque. Choosing a higher performance cam profile raises the torque accordingly.

It includes a Dual Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) design with four valves per cylinder, totalling 24 valves. The VG30DETT also benefits from Nissan’s Valve Timing Control System (NVTCS) on the intake camshafts, optimizing engine timing and efficiency.

There is little to be done to improve the intake, as the NVTCS does a great job, but exhaust cam profiles can lift performance.

Fast road cams commonly increase the bhp and torque through the rev range, you could sacrifice a little bottom end torque but top end will be better. You really want to maximize the flow through the valves at the point you need the power to be delivered, so longer durations and more lift is generally best at high rpm projects.

This type of "race camshaft" won't do well if on the daily commute, because the lumpy idle will make the car prone to stall and smooth driving at low rpm becomes impossible. If you are developing a track car this doesn't matter as you are in the high end of your RPM range anyway and that is where you want the power to be.

You should ideally optimize your torque band to your preferences so for a car driven daily stick with a mild fast road VG30DETT camshaft

Some VG30DETT engines respond better to different camshaft durations than others.

The engine timing and fuelling also will make differences on the torque gains you'll make.

A longer valve duration can alter the torque band and on most engines the exhaust and intake durations do not need to match, although most cams and tuners use matched pairs there are some advantages to extending the intake or exhaust durations.

Remaps should help to unlock the full potential of all the tuning mods you've done to your VG30DETT.

(The factory ECU on these are locked so flashing is not an option, so an aftermarket ECU is the route to take, and many of these will outperform factory ECU's but make sure it has knock protection and that you get it setup properly.)

(In some cases, as this one, the factory ECU is locked flashing is not an option, so an aftermarket ECU is the route to take, and many of these will outperform factory ECU's but make sure it has knock protection and that you get it setup properly.)

Some of our members have used the following aftermarket ECU's to good effect in their projects. You'll generally find harnesses available now for most of the aftermarket ECU options for these engines.

1. 1. • LINK G4X
      • Megasquirt
      • Apexi
      • Syvecs
      • Haltech Elite 1000/1500
      • IMPUL Hi Power

An aftermarket ECU is harder to setup and requires some specialist knowledge of your engine and parts you've fitted, but gives better performance and helps you optimize the timing and fuelling to a fine degree of accuracy - we suggest you go for the Link G4+ (or a G4 with an external knock control unit) or the better but more expensive Syvecs ECU (the upgraded data logging feature is extremely useful)

It will usually give you around 30% more power on turbocharged vehicles and you can expect to see around 15% on NA (naturally aspirated) engines, but the end result often depend much on the tuning mods you've done and the condition of your engine.

Shoving more air into each cylinder is vital to any tuning task.

Air Intake manifolds transmit the air from the intake filter and allow it to be drawn into the engine cylinders with fuel for the squish phase.

The size of bore and shape and rate of flow of the Intake can make a large effect on to fuel delivery on the VG30DETT.

Many mass produced engine air intake manifolds are needing an upgrade, although a few manufacturers provide reasonably good air intake manifolds.

Fitting big valve kits, doing some 3 or 5 angle valve jobs and porting and head flowing will also improve torque, and importantly will afford you a greater torque increase on other upgrades.

VG30DETT Turbo upgrades

The engine features hybrid twin T22/TB02 turbochargers accompanied by twin intercoolers, allow a wide spread of power delivered through various driving conditions.

Given the VG30DETT’s twin-turbo configuration, upgrading the turbochargers can have a profound impact. More advanced turbo kits not only increase the maximum available boost but also improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the turbo system. This can dramatically enhance performance, particularly when combined with other engine modifications.

There are weak spots for every engine, with some being over specified and some only just able to handle stock power. Fuel and crankshaft/conrods are the usual weak areas on these if you have ambitious power targets.

Twin turbos are quite complex, an imbalance in the air or exhaust supply to or from the turbo will have a profound effect on the VG30's performance output and reliability.

It's not unheard of people spending a fortune on turbo upgrades on the VG30DETT only to see the motor explode when it's been finished.

Larger upgraded turbo chargers commonly experience low end lag, and small turbo chargers spool up really quickly but do not have the top end torque gains.

We are pleased that the world of turbos is always increasing and we commonly find variable vane turbos, permitting the vane profile is altered according to speed to lower lag and increase top end bhp.

Twin scroll turbos divert the exhaust flow into a couple of channels and flow these at differently designed vanes in the turbocharger. They also improve the scavenging effect of the engine.

You'll commonly see there's a limitation in the air flow sensor MAP/MAF/AFM on the VG30DETT when considerably more air is being drawn into the engine.

We see 4 bar air sensors coping with quite large power gains, whereas the OEM air sensor was restricting torque at a much lower level.

Adding a supercharger or additional turbo will make large performance gains, although more challenging to configure. We have this article covering twinchargers if you want to read more.

Other internal engine mods.

Forged Internal Components: Crankshafts, Rods, and Pistons

One of the most impactful upgrades for the VG30DETT is the replacement of stock internals with forged components.

Forged crankshafts, connecting rods, and pistons are essential for anyone looking to boost their engine's power substantially.

These components are crafted to withstand higher pressures and are less prone to failure under the extreme conditions of enhanced performance.

Forged parts are particularly important in turbocharged setups like the VG30DETT, where the demands on the engine are increased by higher boost levels.

Cryo treatment is also another methods of making components stronger and more durable.

When the piston reaches Top-Dead-Center (TDC), an integral point in the engine's cycle, the interaction between the quench pads on the cylinder head and a corresponding flat portion on the piston crown comes into play and needs to be understood.

How Quench Pads Function

Quench pads are strategically placed flat areas on the cylinder head that align with flat portions on the piston crown. As the piston ascends during the compression stroke and approaches TDC, the space between these flat areas and the cylinder head decreases. This narrowing gap forcefully expels the air and fuel from the quench areas toward the center of the combustion chamber.

Benefits of Squish Effect

This action, known as the "squish effect," is pivotal for a couple of reasons. First, it generates significant turbulence within the combustion chamber.

This turbulence is beneficial as it thoroughly mixes the air and fuel, which is crucial for efficient combustion and increases the engine's power output and efficiency.

Importance of Squish Clearance

The effectiveness of the squish effect is largely dependent on the squish clearance—the distance between the piston crown and the cylinder head at TDC.

Optimal squish clearance is crucial; tighter clearances enhance the squish effect by creating more turbulence.

However, it's essential to maintain enough clearance to prevent any contact between the piston and the cylinder head, as this could lead to engine damage.

Striking the right balance in squish clearance not only improves the burn characteristics but also contributes to the overall thermal efficiency and performance of the engine.

Engine Balancing and Blueprinting

Balancing and blueprinting the VG30DETT ensures that all components are perfectly matched and operate at peak efficiency.

This process involves fine-tuning the engine to its optimal specifications, reducing unnecessary mechanical stress and wear.

By balancing the rotating assembly, including the crankshaft and pistons, vibrations are minimized, leading to a smoother and more reliable engine performance.

Flywheel Lightening

Lightening the flywheel on the VG30DETT can significantly improve the engine’s response.

A lighter flywheel allows the engine to rev up and down more quickly, enhancing throttle responsiveness and making the car feel much more agile.

This modification is particularly beneficial for sports driving where quick engine response is crucial.

Head Porting, Polishing, and Valve Upgrades

Optimizing the airflow in and out of the VG30DETT’s cylinders can be achieved through head porting and polishing.

By smoothing out the intake and exhaust ports, airflow restriction is minimized, allowing the engine to breathe more efficiently.

Coupled with larger valves and a performance valve job, the engine can handle much higher air volumes, greatly improving both intake and exhaust efficiency. These modifications not only boost power but also enhance the overall smoothness of engine operation.

Fuelling

Don't forget to improve the fuel system when you are increasing the bhp and torque - it makes the car more thirsty.

We strongly recommend you to over specify your injector capacity. Larger S15 injectors are usually the first port of call when upgrading these.

The rule of thumb is to add another 20% when fitting an injector, this allows for injector deterioration and provides a little spare capacity should the engine require more fuel.

We think this one is common sense, but you'll need to match your fuel injector to the type of fuel your car uses as well.

VG30DETT Performance Exhausts

While factory exhausts generally support modest power increases without hindrance, pushing your engine to higher power levels often reveals limitations due to inadequate exhaust flow.

Importance of the Right Exhaust Size

When it comes to sports exhausts, they are key to facilitating a smoother exit of air from the engine, which is crucial for maintaining the efficiency of a turbocharged system. It also needs to be balanced in a twin turbo V6 setup, but not always equal length, velocity always trumps distance.

However, it’s essential to choose an exhaust with the correct diameter.

Oversized exhausts can disrupt the flow rate, potentially reducing the engine's performance rather than improving it. Ideally, an exhaust diameter should range around 2.5-3 inches, a good mix of flow to velocity. This size range tends to maximize flow rates while accommodating the volume of air your engine processes.

Overcoming Catalyst-Induced Restrictions

One common bottleneck in the exhaust systems of turbocharged engines lies in the catalytic converter. Factory-installed catalysts can significantly restrict exhaust flow, thereby limiting performance. Switching to a high-flow sports catalyst can alleviate this issue.

These upgraded catalysts are designed with larger sizes and increased surface areas that minimize restrictions, allowing for a performance level akin to what would be possible without a catalyst, yet still keeping the vehicle road legal.

Upgrading your exhaust system not only caters to higher performance needs but also ensures that your 3.0 turbo engine operates at its full potential, maintaining legality and efficiency.

Weak spots, Issues & problem areas on the VG30DETT

The VG30DETT engines are generally reliable and solid units, as long as you follow the manufacturers service schedules, and use a good quality oil to ensure longevity. Few problems should happen as long as they are regularly serviced and maintained.

Carbon build up in the head, particularly around the valves which will sap power or create flat spots, this is a larger issue on direct injection engines but should be looked out for on all engines. We have tips on removing carbon build up.

Some of our members have had issues with flat spots or glitches after applying mods and upgrades or tuning, this is not usually related to this engines design, so instead see our article on diagnosing flat spots and problems after tuning which should help you get the bottom of this issue.

Regular oil changes are vital on the VG30DETT, especially when tuned and will help extend the life and reliability of the engine.

If you would like to know more, or just get some friendly advice on Tuning your VG30DETT engine please join us in our car forums where you can discuss VG30DETT tuning options in more detail with our VG30DETT owners. It would also be worth reading our unbiased Nissan tuning articles to get a full grasp of the benefits and drawbacks of each modification.

Please help us improve these tips by sending us your feedback in the comments box below.

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This article is flagged for an update, so please pass on specific tips below that I can include. All articles, and content was written by me, Waynne Smith TorqueCars founder. Some outlines are just too general so I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. This entry was filed under Nissan. You can leave a response below or join our forum to discuss this article and car modification in detail with our members.

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