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Nissan VR38DETT specs: 3.8L (231.9 ci) 6-cylinder, 95.5 x 88.4 mm (3.7598 x 3.4803 in) bore and stroke, 9:1 compression. Rated 480-600 hp, 2009–2024.
The Nissan VR38DETT is oversquare — the 3.7598" bore exceeds the 3.4803" stroke by 8.0% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.4803" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,900 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 38.7 ci (633 cc).
9:1 on aluminum heads is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
It is one of 2 engines in the VR38 family, all of them 231.9 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 24 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 480 to 600 hp across 2009–2024.
| Displacement | 231.9 ci / 3.8 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.7598" |
| Stroke | 3.4803" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | V6 |
| Compression ratio | 9:1 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.08 |
| Block material | aluminum |
|---|---|
| Head material | aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 480–600 hp |
| Years | 2009–2024 |
| Engine weight | 608 lb (approximate; published figures vary with what is attached) |
| Year | Version | HP @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | Comp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | VR38DETT net | 480 | 430 lb-ft | — |
| 2010 | VR38DETT net | 485 @ 6400 | 434 lb-ft @ 3200 | — |
| 2011 | VR38DETT net | 485 @ 6400 | 434 lb-ft @ 3200 | — |
| 2012 | VR38DETT net | 530 @ 6400 | 448 lb-ft @ 5200 | 9:1 |
| 2013 | VR38DETT net | 545 @ 6400 | 463 lb-ft @ 3200 | 9:1 |
| 2014 | VR38DETT net | 545 @ 6400 | 463 lb-ft @ 3200 | 9:1 |
| 2015 | VR38DETT net | 545 @ 6400 | 463 lb-ft @ 3200 | 9:1 |
| 2015 | VR38DETT net | 600 @ 6800 | 481 lb-ft @ 3200 | 9:1 |
| 2016 | VR38DETT net | 545 @ 6400 | 463 lb-ft @ 3200 | 9:1 |
| 2016 | VR38DETT net | 600 @ 6800 | 481 lb-ft @ 3200 | 9:1 |
| 2017 | VR38DETT net | 565 @ 6800 | 467 lb-ft @ 3300 | 9:1 |
| 2017 | VR38DETT net | 600 @ 6800 | 481 lb-ft @ 3600 | 9:1 |
| 2018 | VR38DETT net | 565 @ 6800 | 467 lb-ft @ 3300 | 9:1 |
| 2018 | VR38DETT net | 600 @ 6800 | 481 lb-ft @ 3600 | 9:1 |
| 2019 | VR38DETT net | 565 @ 6800 | 467 lb-ft @ 3300 | 9:1 |
| 2019 | VR38DETT net | 600 @ 6800 | 481 lb-ft @ 3600 | 9:1 |
| 2020 | VR38DETT net | 565 @ 6800 | 467 lb-ft @ 3300 | 9:1 |
| 2020 | VR38DETT net | 600 @ 6800 | 481 lb-ft @ 3600 | 9:1 |
| 2021 | VR38DETT net | 565 @ 6800 | 467 lb-ft @ 3300 | 9:1 |
| 2021 | VR38DETT net | 600 @ 6800 | 481 lb-ft @ 3600 | 9:1 |
| 2023 | VR38DETT net | 565 @ 6800 | 467 lb-ft @ 3300 | 9:1 |
| 2023 | VR38DETT net | 600 @ 6800 | 481 lb-ft @ 3600 | 9:1 |
| 2024 | VR38DETT net | 565 @ 6800 | 467 lb-ft @ 3300 | 9:1 |
| 2024 | VR38DETT net | 600 @ 6800 | 481 lb-ft @ 3600 | 9:1 |
Factory specification sheet.
| Bore/stroke character | 1.080 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,480 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 38.6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 480 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2010 | 485 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2011 | 485 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2012 | 530 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2013 | 545 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2014 | 545 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2015 | 545 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2015 | 600 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2016 | 545 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2016 | 600 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2017 | 565 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2017 | 600 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2018 | 565 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2018 | 600 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2019 | 565 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2019 | 600 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2020 | 565 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2020 | 600 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2021 | 565 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2021 | 600 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2023 | 565 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2023 | 600 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2024 | 565 hp | VR38DETT |
| 2024 | 600 hp | VR38DETT |
1 factory vehicle, 2009–2024. Each year opens that model's engine table.