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Nissan VG30i specs: 3.0L (181 ci) 6-cylinder, 87 x 83 mm (3.4252 x 3.2677 in) bore and stroke, 9:1 compression. Rated 140 hp, 1986–1989.
The Nissan VG30i 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).
9:1 on aluminum heads is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
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. 5 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 140 hp across 1986–1989.
| Displacement | 181 ci / 3 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.4252" |
| Stroke | 3.2677" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | V6 |
| Compression ratio | 9:1 * |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.048 |
* Compression ratio from a single source; not yet cross-verified.
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 140 hp |
| Years | 1986–1989 |
| 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 | 9:1 — low by modern standards, generally happy on regular pump fuel |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | — | VG30i |
| 1987 | — | VG30i |
| 1987 | 140 hp | VG30i |
| 1988 | — | VG30i |
| 1989 | — | VG30i |
2 factory vehicles, 1986–1989. Each year opens that model's engine table.