Tri-metal crankshaft main bearings ACL Nissan VG20 VG30 VG33 VE30DE

The Nissan VG and VE30 V6 engines

The VG (VG20, VG30 and VG33) and the VE30DE are Nissan V6 engines with a single overhead camshaft and 12 valves, or twin overhead camshafts and 24 valves, naturally aspirated or turbocharged. This page covers the VG20E, VG20ET, VG20DET, VG30E, VG30ET, VG30DE, VG30DET, VG30DETT, VG30i, VG33E and VE30DE, fitted notably to the Nissan 300ZX, Fairlady, Maxima, Cedric, Gloria, Leopard, Navara and Pathfinder. All these engines share the same crankshaft journal and housing dimensions: a single ACL bearing set covers them.

The crankshaft of these engines runs on four main bearings. Each journal turns between two half shells, one seated in the block and the other in the main bearing cap: they carry the crankshaft. The ACL Race Series tri-metal set shown here replaces them on built engines.

Tri-metal main bearings

A trimetal bearing combines three layers with complementary roles: a steel back that provides structural strength, a copper-lead intermediate layer that takes the heavy loads and an anti-friction running layer that protects the main journal. The complete set contains 0 half shells, i.e. The complete set covers the four main bearings of the crankshaft. The upper and lower half shells are different: each goes in its own position.

An aluminium bi-metal bearing, intended for low to medium loads, tops out at around 8,000 psi; a performance trimetal bearing holds up to 12,000 psi, 50% more load capacity. It therefore gains strength and service life on turbocharged, supercharged or high-revving engines.

Technical specifications

Technical guide

The ACL main bearings shown here are trimetal bearings built for engine tuning and racing. They withstand far higher loads than a standard bearing and come in several sizes: the standard size, a +0.025 mm size for a main journal that has only been polished, +0.25 and +0.50 mm regrind sizes and the HX version with increased clearance for high-revving engines or engines needing a high oil flow. This range lets you refit a reground crankshaft without changing product line and match the clearance to the oil and use chosen.

The brand

Founded in Australia in 1949, ACL Bearing Company designs high-performance engine bearings. Its Race Series brings together precision trimetal bearings, offered in a wide choice of sizes and fitted to built engines around the world.

Vehicle compatibility

This main bearing set fits the Nissan VG and VE30 V6 engines (engine codes VG20E, VG20ET, VG20DET, VG30E, VG30ET, VG30DE, VG30DET, VG30DETT, VG30i, VG33E and VE30DE) of the following vehicles: