Tuning Feature: Nissan VG20DE Modified

"Comprehensive guide to performance parts and tuning the Nissan VG20DE engine!"

We are regularly getting posts inquiring about getting more power from the VG20DE and wanting to know what are the things we are recommending when it comes to VG20DE mods that work. So let us look into Nissan VG20DE tuning mods and outline the best modifications on this great engine and point out some problems along the way.

The Nissan VG20DE offer good returns when tuned and with the optimum uprated mods like remapping, turbo improvements and camshafts you will positively maximise your driving opportunities.

Our aim here is to outline options for your VG20DE tuning and provide tips on the premier mods that work.

Just because particular upgrades are are common on VG20DE it doesn't mean it is good, we shall concentrate on the best upgrades to provide your VG20DE with the biggest power gain return for your cash.

The camshaft profile plays a big part in the engines power output so camshaft upgrades make quite a large difference. The intake & exhaust durations will alter depending on the chosen camshaft profile, so large engines power gains are on offer for camshaft upgrades.

NB: Fast road camshafts tend to raise the power across the rpm range, you may lose a little low down torque but your high end rpm power will be better.

Competition camshafts, raise the high end rpm power band but as a result the car will not idle smoothly and low end power nearly always suffers.

In a car driven daily one, ideally, should ideally to optimize your torque band to your typical driving style.

You will never have ever thought a VG20DE Motorsport and race camshaft is a pleasure to live with when on the daily commute.

Some VG20DE engines respond better to different camshaft durations so view each engine as unique.

The engine timing and fuelling also have an effect on the power gains you'll achieve.

A longer valve duration can alter the power band and on most engines the exhaust and intake durations do not need to match, although most cams and tuners use matched pairs there are some advantages to extending the intake or exhaust durations.

VG20DE Tuning Stages

Stage 1 VG20DE modifications: Intake headers, Remaps/piggy back ECU, Sports exhaust manifold, Fast road camshaft, Drilled & smoothed airbox, Panel air filters.

Stage 2 VG20DE modifications: Ported and polished head, Sports catalyst & performance exhaust, induction kit, fuel pump upgrades, Fast road cam, high flow fuel injectors.

Stage 3 VG20DE modifications: Engine balancing & blueprinting, Adding or Upgrading forced induction (turbo/supercharger), Twin charging conversions, Crank and Piston upgrades to alter compression, Competition cam, Internal engine upgrades (head flowing porting/bigger valves).

ECU flashing will help unlock the full potential of all the mods you've done to your VG20DE.

It will usually give around 30% more power on turbocharged vehicles and you can expect to see around 15% on NASP engines, but power output may differs on the mods you've carried out and the condition of your engine.

Shoving more air into the VG20DE engine is vital to any performance tuning task.

Air Intake manifolds take the air from the filter and allow it to be drawn into the engine cylinders.

The shape and flow characteristics of the Intake can make a noticeable difference to to fuel mixing and power on the VG20DE.

We often see intake headers are crying out for an upgrade, although some OEM provide fairly well optimized intake headers.

Adding a VG20DE larger valve kit, carrying out 3 or 5 angle valve jobs and porting and head flowing will also lift power, and significantly will raise potential for increasing the power increase on other mods.

Turbo upgrades for the VG20DE

NASP engines need quite a lot of work when you add a turbo, so we have a separate guide to help you take into account the pros and cons of going this route on your VG20DE

The more air you can get into an engine, the more fuel it can burn and uprating the induction with a turbocharger upgrade makes impressive power gains.

If an engine is fitted with a turbocharger tuning parts are relatively easy and turbocharged engines already contain more solid components.

There are tuning limits for every engine, with some being very over engineered and some only just able to handle stock power

Discover these limitations and install stronger pistons, crank and engine components to survive the power.

We see many tuners spending a fortune on turbocharger upgrades on the VG20DE only to suffer the indignity of watching the motor explode when it's been finished.

Big upgraded turbos will usually experience a bottom end lag, and small turbos spool up much more quickly but do not have the top end power band gains.

In recent times the market of turbo units is always increasing and we are seeing variable vane turbo units, where the vane profile is altered according to speed to lower lag and increase top end performance.

Twin scroll turbo units divert the exhaust gases into a couple of channels and flow these at differently designed vanes in the turbo. They also boost the scavenging effect of the engine.

It is common that there's a limitation in the air flow sensor MAF/MAP on the VG20DE when a lot more air is being drawn into the engine.

Going up you'll find 4 bar air sensors coping with quite large power gains, whereas the OEM air sensor was restricting bhp at a much lower level.

Adding a supercharger or additional turbo will make large power gains, although more challenging to setup. We have this article covering twinchargers if you want to read more.

Uprating VG20DE fuel injectors

When you lift the performance you will need to look at to the fuelling.

More performance needs more fuel. We strongly recommend you to over specify your flow rate on the injectors.

As a rule of thumb add another 20% when buying an injector, helps cope with injector deterioration and affords some spare capacity should the engine need more fuel.

We think this one is common sense, but you'll need to match your fuel injector to the type of fuel your car uses as well.

Best VG20DE performance exhausts

You may need to replace your exhaust if the current exhaust is creating a flow problem.

On most factory exhausts you'll find your flow rate is fine even on modest power gains, but when you start pushing up the power levels you will need to get a better flowing exhaust.

Sports exhausts can help equal out the flow of gases through the engine.

But if the exhaust is too large, ie: over 2.5 inches bore, you will lose a great deal of your flow rate and end up lacking power and torque.

Typically exhaust restrictions are in the catalyst installed, so adding a faster flowing sports alternative will help avoid this restriction.

Problems and issues to look out for on the VG20DE

The VG20DE engines, if regularly serviced and maintained, are generally very reliable and have few issues. {But if neglected they can cost a small fortune|When neglected they get very expensive to run|They can however be quite expensive if neglected| }

Regular oil changes are vital on the VG20DE, particularly when the engine has been modified and is putting down more power than the manufacturer intended.

For more information on Tuning your VG20DE engine please join us in our friendly forum where you can discuss tuning options in more detail with our VG20DE owners. It would also be worth reading our unbiased tuning articles to get a full grasp of the benefits and drawbacks of each modification.

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We really like hearing from our readers, and hearing about which upgrades were the most effective for them, it helps us improve our recommendations and articles to reflect current trends in modifications and ensures that our VG20DE guides and tips are kept up to date.

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This article is flagged for an update, so please pass on specific tips below that I can include. All articles, and content was written by me, Waynne Smith TorqueCars founder. Some outlines are just too general so I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. This entry was filed under Nissan. You can leave a response below or join our forum to discuss this article and car modification in detail with our members.

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