Nissan Motorsport Unveils VK56 Race Engine For 2013 V8 Supercars Campaign

Nissan Motorsport has lifted the covers off the VK56-based V8 engine that will power its four entrants in next year's V8 Supercars season.

Based on the 5.6 litre VK56DE naturally-aspirated V8 used by the new Y63 Patrol and US-market Pathfinder, the race engine is extensively modified by Kelly Racing in Victoria to comply with V8 Supercars regulations.

Key differences include a dry sump lubrication system, a de-stroked crank and cylinder liners to drop displacement to 5.0 litres, the deletion of the factory variable valve timing system and Mahle pistons with a 10:1 compression ratio.

The heads and block are largely standard, while key parts of the valvetrain, water pump, exhaust and inlet manifold are supplied by Nissan's factory motorsports arm, Nismo.

Other components, like the carbon fibre intake tract, cam covers, timing chain cover and accessory drive are engineered and fabricated by Kelly Racing.