See other engines in this family
Nissan VE30DE specs: 3.0L (181 ci) 6-cylinder, 87 x 83 mm (3.4252 x 3.2677 in) bore and stroke, 10:1 compression. Rated 190 hp, 1992–1994.
The Nissan VE30DE is close to square: 3.4252" bore against 3.2677" stroke, within 4.8%, which splits the difference between a high-revving layout and a torque layout. The 3.2677" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,350 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 30.2 ci (494 cc).
10:1 on aluminum heads is in the range that usually runs on pump premium; aluminum sheds heat faster than iron, which makes the same number a little more forgiving.
It is one of 6 engines in the Nissan 181ci family, all of them 181 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 3 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 190 hp across 1992–1994.
| Displacement | 181 ci / 3 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.4252" |
| Stroke | 3.2677" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | V6 |
| Compression ratio | 10:1 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.048 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 190 hp |
| Years | 1992–1994 |
| Year | Version | HP @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | Comp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | VE30DE net | 190 @ 5600 | 190 lb-ft @ 4000 | 10:1 |
| 1993 | VE30DE net | 190 @ 5600 | 190 lb-ft @ 4000 | 10:1 |
| 1994 | VE30DE net | 190 @ 5600 | 190 lb-ft @ 4000 | 10:1 |
Factory specification sheet.
| Bore/stroke character | 1.048 — square — bore and stroke are within 5%, a balanced compromise |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,268 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 30.2 ci |
| Static compression | 10:1 — in the range that usually runs on pump premium |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 190 hp | VE30DE |
| 1993 | 190 hp | VE30DE |
| 1994 | 190 hp | VE30DE |
1 factory vehicle, 1992–1994. Each year opens that model's engine table.