What is the engine code for the Nissan GT-R’s 3.8L twin-turbo V6? The answer is VR38DETT.
Nissan designates the GT-R’s hand-assembled 3,799 cc engine as the VR38DETT. It is a 60-degree V6 with dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and two turbochargers. The code identifies the engine family and its major design features, while the “38” points to the 3.8-litre displacement.
The VR38DETT arrived with the R35-generation GT-R in 2007. Its aluminium block uses plasma-sprayed cylinder bores rather than conventional iron liners, and the twin IHI turbochargers are integrated with the exhaust manifolds. These choices help manage weight, heat and packaging in a high-performance road car.
The alternatives belong to different Nissan or Toyota engine families. RB26DETT is associated with earlier Skyline GT-Rs, while VQ35DE is a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 used in several Nissan and Infiniti models. The 2JZ-GTE is Toyota’s famous 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six, not a GT-R engine.