Engine Development

Engine Development

Building a high performance engine can be a daunting task at the best of times. We have the experience and ability to make your motorsports ambitions a reality and look forward to helping you on that journey. At 5523 Motorsports, we believe that reliability is the first priority when building any engine. We work with industry leaders to develop top quality parts that will not only open the door to great performance possibilities but the reliability that is necessary to win! If you think about the top forms of motorsports; Formula 1, ALMS, Rolex GrandAm, Formula D or NASCAR, they all have one thing in common…reliability. There will be no chance to win or lose if you can’t finish the race. Encountering engine problems when you’re having a good day out can be very demoralizing, embarrassing and, of course, extremely frustrating. We aim to prevent problems and frustrations before they happen.

Currently, we have turn-key engine packages for the SR20, QR25, VQ35 and VK56. Our “base packages” are the most basic engines and are meant to be a starting point. We do not built engines ahead of time and let them sit on the shelf. Every engine is custom tailored for you, your application and the sanctioning body you must adhere to. If you have an engine/vehicle that is not listed here please contact us so we can discuss options and create an engine package that meets your requirements.

5523 Motorsports VQ35DE, VQ35DET, VQ35Rev-Up, VQ35HR Engine Packages:

Nissan’s V6 powerhouse is gaining popularity and becoming the Nissan engine to modify. With two basic variations to chose from, we have the fully developed solution for whatever your needs. The two variations of the VQ35 are the VQ35DE and the VQ35HR and our solutions will net you the most reliability and power possible. We can help you chose the right engine for you.

The VQ35DE (and Rev-Up) is becoming more and more available and here at 5523 Motorsports, we are responding. Arguably, one of the greatest V6 power plants ever produced in mass quantities, we have the right solution for you.

We initially identified cooling issues in these early engines when subjected to moderate to high levels of boost. We have since taken the steps to remedy this problem in our engine packages. Using late model torque to yield fasteners and upgraded head gaskets, we have eliminated head gasket failures related to inadequate gasket design. Cooling system modifications that remove water bypass and heater core piping are for track only vehicles.

Factory Nissan crankshafts are know for being very strong and require nothing more than tear dropping the oiling holes and precision balancing to make them race ready. We also use factory tri-metal bearings with your choice of coatings throughout our engine packages.

Choices of camshafts ranging from a mild street profile to a road race profile are available. All our engines come with uprated valve springs to further control valve train harmonics and valve motion.

We are currently developing race ready wet-sump oil pump upgrades to remedy the potentially problematic factory “powdered metal” oil pump gears and expect these to be in full production and available very soon.

VQ35DE / Rev-Up Base Package:

* Fully weighted OEM crankshaft 81.4mm stoke, precision balanced and micro polished.

* JWT / 5523 Motorsports designed JE pistons in either 95.5mm or 96.0mm with rings (Swain Gold Coat crown coating and Swain PC-9 skirt coating is available for an additional fee).

* Crower standard length connecting rods (144.2mm C to C).

* OEM WPC treated tri-metal main and rod bearings.

* Late model uprated MLS head gaskets.

* Late model uprated torque to yield fasteners

* Rev-Up oil pumps are standard as the pump rotors are substantially harder than the DE rotors.

* Cooling system modified for improved coolant flow.

* Cylinder heads ported to improve overall port flow (mainly concentrating on removing casting flash and exhaust port floor is modified for improved flow).

* 3 angle valve job with hand lapped valve seat finishing (Swain TBC coating available for exhaust ports and exhaust valve heads for an additional fee).

* JWT uprated valve springs standard.

* JWT camshafts – For the DE engines, we offer the S2 cam profile. Idles like stock, with great driveability and approximately 15-20 hp increase. Rev-Up engines sport S7 cams. Again, idle quality is near OEM and offers gains of 15-24 hp.

* All new OEM timing components and wear items.

For those who want to go racing, we have more aggressive cam profiles available as well as a host of coatings that can be added to improve durability and longevity. Cam profiles are matched to your application. For more information on your new engine, please contact us with all pertinent information regarding your project and we can work with you to build the ultimate power plant.

Available VQ35DE / Rev-Up Options:

Nismo Option Cylinder Heads – Nismo offers an optional cylinder head for the VQ35DE (DE ONLY – not for Rev-Up engines) which grafts the smaller VQ30DE combustion chamber onto the later model cylinder head. These heads are designed for NA applications as the combustion chamber is 10cc smaller. Using a genuine piston profile, the compression ratio changes from 10.2:1 to 12.0:1 – without milling the cylinder head. Couple this with availability of genuine Nissan titanium valves and you can build the ultimate NA race engine. We recommend this modification ONLY for NA race engines. Please allow ample processing time as all parts are sourced from Nismo Japan.

3.0L 73.3mm Stroke – This de-stroked option is available for early VQ35DE / VQ35 Rev-Up engines. This is recommended for primarily high RPM operations only as there is a significant decrease in low end torque. This crank with 144.2mm rods nets a rod ratio of 2:1.

Uprated chromoly oil pump gears – We all know what happens to early RB26DETT oil pumps when revved past recommended redline. Catastrophic oil pump failure is not limited to the RB engine family. We have seen multiple SR and VQ oil pump failures as a result of excessive harmonic vibration (directly related to engine speed) and are working tirelessly to remedy this dreaded problem. Check back often, as we hope to release this upgrade soon.

Nissan did it again. Taking the already solid VQ to another level required an in depth redesign from the ground up. Taller deck height to accommodate longer connecting rods, improved coolant flow, substantially improved cylinder heads, camshaft phasing standard on both intake and exhaust cams and a larger oil pump: this is just the tip of the iceberg.

From the first drive, we realized that this was a serious contender in it’s weight class and we strive to make a feared contender in any weight class. Mild to wild, we have an answer for your application.

Our base package was designed as a street/track solution. Stock crankshaft, mild cam selection, uprated (but standard length) connecting rods, forged pistons with OEM rings; this package will idle like stock but shows decent top end power band improvements.

Please keep in mind that tuning is paramount. We have solutions available for all of our engines. Please see the tuning section for more information.

VQ35HR Boost Package:

* Fully weighted OEM crankshaft (81.4mm stroke precision balanced and micro polished)

* JWT / 5523 Motorsports designed JE pistons in either 95.5mm or 96.0mm with rings.

* JE 9000 series piston pins with spiro-locks (WPC pin treatment and / or Swain PC-9 skirt coating available for an additional fee).

* Crower standard length connecting rods (153.3mm C to C).

* OEM WPC treated tri-metal main and rod bearings.

* Late model uprated MLS head gaskets.

* Late model uprated torque to yield fasteners.

* 3 angle valve job with hand lapped valve seat finish.

* JWT uprated valve springs standard

* JWT C1-HR camshafts are standard. JWT has many other grinds available, please contact us for more info.

* OEM timing components and wear items are all replaced with new parts.

VQxxHR Options:

3.7L 86.0mm Stroke – This is a direct drop in replacement for all VQ35HR blocks. There is no modification required however, factory length connecting rods will not work. We have worked closely with JWT and JE Pistons to design a FSR piston that will allow the use of the 151.8mm VQ35HR rod. This is currently in the design / testing stage so stay tuned, more information will follow as these pistons become available.

3.8L 88.4mm Stroke – This crank is modified in house to fit both 3.5L and 3.7L blocks. 5523 Motorsports connecting rods are a must. This crank will also require JWT / 5523 Motorsports piston set to accommodate the longer connecting rods.

Uprated chromoly oil pump gears – We all know what happens to early RB26DETT oil pumps when they are revved past the recommended redline. Catastrophic oil pump failure is not limited to the RB family. We have seen multiple SR and VQ oil pump failures as a result of excessive harmonic vibration (directly related to engine speed) and are working tirelessly to remedy this dreaded problem. Check back often, as we hope to release this upgrade soon.

5523 Motorsports SR20DE & SR20DET Engine Packages:

Arguably one of the most popular four cylinder engines ever produced by Nissan the SR20 will fit the bill for as many uses as you can dream up. We take all the best parts of the original and expand on it to make it even better. It is a robust workhorse that will take tons of boost, smile and ask for more.

The SR20DE/SR20DET is one of the strongest factory prepared OEM Nissan engines produced in mass quantities. Modifications made to the SR20 must be selected carefully in order to retain the strength and reliability of the engine while allowing for good performance gains.

All of our SR20 engines come with fully counter-weighted crankshafts and only the best select aftermarket parts. All tolerances are closely controlled using OEM tri-metal bearings and connecting rod bearings.

SR20DE / DET package – 300hp-350hp max output:

* Fully weighted 86.0mm crankshaft – precision balanced and micro polished.

* OEM 52F connecting rods with uprated connecting bolts.

* OEM WPC treated tri-metal main and rod bearings.

* JE 86.5mm 8.5:1 C/R piston and ring set.

* OEM oil pump with WPC treated pump rotors – not to exceed 8000rpm.

* Cylinder head mildly ported – concentrating on casting flash and bowl blending.

* Three angle valve job with hand lapped valve seat finishing.

* Valvetrain options will be left up to the customer – JWT camshafts and valve springs available for an additional fee.

* New OEM timing and wear items.

* Main cap bolts, head bolts replaced with new OEM items (No ARP used).

SR20DE / DET package – 350hp+ max output:

(Same as the 300hp-350hp package with the following additions)

* Crower billet connecting rods with ARP fasteners

* Extensive cooling system modifications to improve coolant flow – large cross flow radiator strongly recommended.

* More extensive port work.

* Mechanical cam options available (drastically shift power band upwards – great top end power) with 5523 Motorsports lash killer kit (mechanical lifter conversion)

SR20DE Options:

JWT 2.4L stroker kit includes –

* 94.4mm crank

* Sleeve kit.

* Crower stock length rods

* Piston rings

** Huge low end torque increase with big sacrifice in max engine speed (7400rpm maximum)

5523 Motorsports QR25DE & QR25DET Engine Packages:

5523 Motorsports completed extensive, real world testing and dyno tuning on our QR25DET engine package. From this we have learned what’s required to make the QR25DE what it should have been from Nissan. We have fully developed, turn-key solutions available for FWD applications (B15U and L31) of the QR25DE & QR25DET at this time. This testing has resulted in the turn-key package below.

The 5523 Motorsports QR25DE & QR25DET start with a fully counterweighted crankshaft, we add longer connecting rods and custom pistons, we remove the factory balance shaft assembly and reinforce the water passages around the cylinder liners to eliminate core shift. We also use WPC treated late model tri-metal bearings modified for additional oiling.

The cylinder head is treated with very mild porting (mainly to remove casting flash as well as port blending and combustion chamber shaping) and cams of your choosing are installed. Nissan DLC lifter buckets are added to all but eliminate contact stress failures of any kind. We finish off by performing a three angle valve job, hand lap each and every valve, and finally, surface the gasket surface to ensure leak free sealing.

We are currently working on developing a turn-key package for the QR25DE from the B16U Spec V, S35 Rogue and the L32 Altima.

The FWD QR25DE package is as follows:
* Fully counterweighted crankshaft – factory balance shaft assembly removed
* JE forged 4032 high-silicone pistons 8.5:1 C/R
* Crower connecting rods – longer than stock
* Genuine Nissan tri-metal main and rod bearings WPC treated and modified for extra oiling
* 5523 Motorsports modified cylinder block, eliminates core shift and adds extra main bearing oiling
* 5523 Motorsports modified cylinder head gasket
* JWT C1 competition camshaft set
* JWT competition valve springs