Nissan has unveiled the engine that will power its entry into the 2013 V8 Supercars Championship.
Team owner/driver Todd Kelly was joined by Nissan Australia managing director/CEO William F Peffer Jr and motorsport manager Jeff Fisher inside Kelly Racing’s new engine department in the extension to its Braeside, Melbourne, facility in order to reveal the engine to the press.
As previously reported, the aluminium, quad-cam, VK56DE codenamed unit will compete against its Ford and Holden rivals in a reduced 5.0 litre capacity form, matching the bore, stroke and compression ratio of its competitors.
While testing of the complete racing unit is yet to begin, Kelly Racing’s investigations into the VK56DE started midway through last year when the team imported a wet-sumped version of the motor to assess its suitability for V8 Supercars competition.
Kelly Racing has developed the technical package with the assistance of Nissan’s Japanese performance arm, Nismo, and a range of global racing component suppliers.
Todd Kelly, who spent last weekend assisting with the build of the engine prior to testing his current Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore at Winton yesterday, described the look of the new engine as ‘spectacular’.
“We are very pleased to show this engine for the first time. It looks sensational and is a key ingredient to Nissan’s entry into the sport,” he said.
“A huge amount of time and effort has gone into getting the first VK56DE completed and the result is a spectacular looking engine.“
See below for the engine specifications and component suppliers lists issued by Nissan Motorsport
Specification overview
Block: Nissan VK56 – Cast Aluminium 90 degree V8
Heads: Nissan VK56 – Quad Cam, four valve per cylinder
Bore x Stroke: 102.69 mm x 75.31 mm
Capacity: 4990cc
Induction: Naturally aspirated, individual runner
Fuel: E85
Liners: Dry Cast Iron
Valve Train: Chain driven quad cam with direct acting DLC coated bucket followers
Ignition: Direct fire coil on plug
Injection: Sequential
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Maximum RPM: 7500
Key suppliers
Blocks: Nissan
Heads: Nissan
Crankshaft: Pankl Bearings: ACL
Camshafts: Piper Cams Timing
Drive Components: Nissan/NISMO/Albins
Pistons: Mahle
Pins: Mahle
Rings: Total Seal
Conrods: Carrillo
Valves: Del West
Valve Springs: Performance
Springs International
Ignition System: Nissan
Plugs: NGK
Engine Management: MoTeC
Water Pump: Nissan Motorsport
Oil Pump: Dailey
Inlet Manifold: Nissan Motorsport
Exhaust: Nissan Motorsport
