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Nissan VK56DE specs: 5.6L (338.8 ci) 8-cylinder, 98 x 92 mm (3.8583 x 3.6220 in) bore and stroke, 9.8:1 compression. Rated 305-317 hp, 2004–2015.
The Nissan VK56DE is oversquare — the 3.8583" bore exceeds the 3.622" stroke by 6.5% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.622" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,650 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. Each of the 8 cylinders displaces 42.4 ci (694 cc).
9.8:1 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 2 engines in the Nissan 339ci family, all of them 338.8 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 17 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 305 to 317 hp across 2004–2015.
| Displacement | 338.8 ci / 5.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.8583" |
| Stroke | 3.622" |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Configuration | V8 |
| Compression ratio | 9.8:1 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.065 |
| Block material | aluminum |
|---|---|
| Head material | aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 305–317 hp |
| Years | 2004–2015 |
| Year | Version | HP @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | Comp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | VK56DE net | 305 | 379 lb-ft | — |
| 2005 | VK56DE net | 305 | 379 lb-ft | — |
| 2006 | VK56DE net | 305 | 379 lb-ft | — |
| 2007 | VK56DE net | 317 @ 5200 | 385 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
| 2008 | VK56DE net | 310 @ 5200 | 388 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
| 2008 | VK56DE net | 317 @ 5200 | 385 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
| 2009 | VK56DE net | 310 @ 5200 | 388 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
| 2009 | VK56DE net | 317 @ 5200 | 385 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
| 2010 | VK56DE net | 310 @ 5200 | 388 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
| 2010 | VK56DE net | 317 @ 5200 | 385 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
| 2011 | VK56DE net | 310 @ 5200 | 388 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
| 2011 | VK56DE net | 317 @ 5200 | 385 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
| 2012 | VK56DE net | 310 @ 5200 | 388 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
| 2012 | VK56DE net | 317 @ 5200 | 385 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
| 2013 | VK56DE net | 317 @ 5200 | 385 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
| 2014 | VK56DE net | 317 @ 5200 | 385 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
| 2015 | VK56DE net | 317 @ 5200 | 385 lb-ft @ 3400 | 9.8:1 |
Factory specification sheet.
| Bore/stroke character | 1.065 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,622 ft/min — in the range typical of performance street engines |
| Displacement per cylinder | 42.4 ci |
| Static compression | 9.8:1 — 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 305 hp | VK56DE |
| 2005 | 305 hp | VK56DE |
| 2006 | 305 hp | VK56DE |
| 2007 | 317 hp | VK56DE |
| 2008 | 310 hp | VK56DE |
| 2008 | 317 hp | VK56DE |
| 2009 | 310 hp | VK56DE |
| 2009 | 317 hp | VK56DE |
| 2010 | 310 hp | VK56DE |
| 2010 | 317 hp | VK56DE |
| 2011 | 310 hp | VK56DE |
| 2011 | 317 hp | VK56DE |
| 2012 | 310 hp | VK56DE |
| 2012 | 317 hp | VK56DE |
| 2013 | 317 hp | VK56DE |
| 2014 | 317 hp | VK56DE |
| 2015 | 317 hp | VK56DE |
3 factory vehicles, 2004–2015. Each year opens that model's engine table.