Nissan VG33E (3.3 L, 12 valve) V6 Engine Specs, Review & Service data
Nissan VG33E Engine Specs
The Nissan VG33E engine is a 3.3 liter 199.85 cu-in (3,275 cc) V6 60° four-stroke cycle water-cooled naturally aspirated internal combustion gasoline engine from Nissan VG-family. The Nissan VG33E engine was made from 1996 up to 2004.
Nissan VG33E engine delivers from 170 PS (125 kW; 168 HP) at 4,800 rpm to 182 PS (134 kW; 180 HP) at 4,800 rpm of HP and 266 Nm (27.1 kg·m; 196.3 ft·lb) at 2,800 rpm or 274 Nm (27.9 kg·m; 202.2 ft·lb) at 2,800 rpm of torque.
The Nissan VG33E has a 91.5 mm (3.6 in) cylinder bore and 83 mm (3.27 in) piston stroke. The Nissan VG33E engine compression ratio rating is 8.9:1.
The Nissan VG33E engine is fitted with a multiport fuel injection (MFI) system and a mechanically timed electrical ignition system with a mechanical distributor.
The Nissan VG33E engine features a cast-iron block, two aluminum heads, single overhead camshafts (SOHC), and two valves per cylinder.
The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:
- VG – Engine Family
- 33 – 3.3 Liter Displacement
- E – Multi-Point Fuel Injection
Nissan VG33E (3.3 L, 12 valve) V6 Engine Specs
Engine Specifications
| Engine code | VG33E |
| Layout | Four stroke, V6 |
| Fuel type | Gasoline (petrol) |
| Production | 1996-2004 |
| Displacement | 3.3 L, 3,275 cc (199.85 cu in) |
| Fuel system | Multi Point Fuel Injection |
| Power adder | None |
| Power output | 170 PS (125 kW; 168 HP) at 4,800 rpm 182 PS (134 kW; 180 HP) at 4,800 rpm |
| Torque output | 266 Nm (27.1 kg·m; 196.3 ft·lb) at 2,800 rpm 274 Nm (27.9 kg·m; 202.2 ft·lb) at 2,800 rpm |
| Firing order | 1-2-3-4-5-6 |
| Dimensions (L x W x H): | – |
| Weight | – |
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 | 244° | |
| Exhaust valve timing: | 240° | |
| Valve head diameter: | INTAKE | 41.95-42.25 mm (1.652-1.663 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 | 7.962-7.970 mm (0.3135-0.3138 in) | |
| Valve spring free length: | OUTER | 51.2 mm (2.016 in) |
| INNER | 44.1 mm (1.736 in) | |
| Camshaft cam height: | INTAKE | 39.242-39.432 mm (1.5450-1.5524 in) |
| EXHAUST | 38.943-39.133 mm (1.5332-1.5407 in) | |
| Camshaft journal diameter: | №1 | 46.920-46.940 mm (1.8470-1.8480 in) |
| №2,3,4 | 42.420-42.440 mm (1.6701-1.6709 in) | |
| №5 | 47.920-47.940 mm (1.8866-1.8874 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: | 8.9:1 | |
| Cylinder bore: | 91.5 mm (3.6 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): | 91.500 mm (3.6024 in) | |
| Piston skirt diameter (standard): | 91.485 mm (3.6018 in) | |
| Piston pin outer diameter: | 20.971-20.983 mm (0.8256-0.8261 in) | |
| Piston ring side clearance: | Top | 0.024-0.076 mm (0.0009-0.0030 in) |
| Second | 0.030-0.070 mm (0.0012-0.0028 in) | |
| Oil | 0.015-0.185 mm (0.0006-0.0073 in) | |
| Piston ring end gap: | Top | 0.21-0.44 mm (0.0083-0.0173 in) |
| Second | 0.50-0.69 mm (0.0197-0.0272 in) | |
| Oil | 0.20-0.69 mm (0.0079-0.0272 in) | |
| Connecting rod small end diameter: | 20.982-20.994 mm (0.8261-0.8265 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
- 191-211 Nm; 19.5-21.5 kg·m; 141-156 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 | 12.2 kg/m2 (173 psi) / 300 rpm |
| Minimun | 9.0 kg/m2 (128 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 SG or SH |
| Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity) | With filter change 3.7 l (3-7/8 Us. qt., 3-1/4 Imp. qt) Without filter change 3.4 l (3-5/8 Us. qt., 3 Imp. qt.) |
| Oil change interval, km (miles) | Every 6,000 (3,750) |
| Ignition system | |
| Spark plug | Standard type: NGK BKR5ES-11 Hot type: BKR4ES-11 Cold type: BKR6ES-11 |
| Spark plug gap | 1.0-1.1 mm (0.039-0.043 in) |
Vehicle Applications
| Model | Years Produced |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 1996–2004 |
| Infiniti QX4 | 1997–2000 |
| Nissan Frontier | 1999–2004 |
| Nissan Xterra | 2000–2004 |
| Nissan Elgrand (E50) | 1997–2002 |
| Nissan Quest (V41) | 1999–2002 |
| Mercury Villager | 1999–2002 |
| Nissan Paladin | 1999–2004 |
| Nissan Terrano (R50) | 1995–2002 |
Final Words
This concludes our discussion of the Nissan VG33E (3.3 L, 12 valve) V6 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.
