The top aftermarket upgrades for Nissan engines
Best Aftermarket Upgrade for Nissan Engines: Unlock Peak Performance with Our Upgraded Engines for Sale
Nissan has a rich history of creating some of the best, most iconic and most durable engines in automotive history. Whether your car is a street tuner, drift car, or high-performance track car, the performance potential with Nissan engines can’t be argued. From the iconic RB26DETT and SR20DET to the newer VR30DDTT and VK56DE, Nissan’s lineup still stands as the standard by which enthusiasts worldwide measure. The top aftermarket upgrades for Nissan engines
But to truly unlock the potential of your car, it’s time to consider aftermarket upgrades—or even better yet, purchasing one of our pre-upgraded Nissan engines for sale. In this article here, we’ll go over the top aftermarket performance upgrades on Nissan engines, discuss the benefits of each, and spotlight our professionally upgraded engines that are pre-built for maximum power.
Why Upgrade Your Nissan Engine?
Stock engines take you only so far. Nissan engines are strong, but their potential is usually held back by factory compromises for fuel efficiency, emissions, or mass-market durability.
By modifying your engine—or buying one that’s modified—you can:
- Dramatically increase horsepower and torque
- Throttle response and acceleration that’s rock-solid
- Enhance durability for racing or heavy-load duty
- Support sophisticated tuning setups like turbocharging and stand-alone ECUs
Best Nissan Engines for Performance Upgrades
Before diving into specific upgrades, here’s a quick rundown of some of the most popular Nissan engines that are ideal candidates for performance modifications—and are available fully built and ready to buy through our shop.
| Engine Code | Engine Type | Displacement | Stock HP/Torque | Turbocharged? | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR20DET | Inline-4 DOHC Turbo | 2.0L | 205-250 hp | Yes | Drift, street builds |
| RB26DETT | Inline-6 DOHC Twin Turbo | 2.6L | 276 hp | Twin Turbo | High HP builds, track cars |
| VG30DETT | V6 DOHC Twin Turbo | 3.0L | 300 hp | Twin Turbo | Z32 300ZX builds |
| VQ35DE/HR | V6 DOHC NA | 3.5L | 287-306 hp | No (stock) | Street performance, NA builds |
| VR38DETT | V6 DOHC Twin Turbo | 3.8L | 480-600+ hp | Twin Turbo | GTR R35 high-performance builds |
| KA24DE | Inline-4 DOHC NA | 2.4L | 155 hp | No (stock) | Budget turbo builds, drift |
| VK56DE | V8 DOHC NA | 5.6L | 317-400 hp | No (stock) | Truck/SUV swaps, power builds |
Top Aftermarket Upgrades for Nissan Engines
Now, let’s go through the best upgrades you can do—or have pre-installed with our engines for sale.
1. Forged Internals (Pistons, Rods, Crankshaft)
Why it matters:
Forced internals can deal with a lot more power and RPM compared to OEM cast pieces. This is required if you’re adding forced induction or revving the engine past factory redline.
Best For:
RB26DETT, SR20DET, KA24DE, VG30DETT
What We Provide:
Our performance engines feature CP or Wiseco forged pistons, Manley or Eagle rods, and hardened crankshafts that will reliably make up to 800+ horsepower.
2. Performance Camshafts & Valvetrain Upgrades
Why it matters:
Aftermarket camshafts raise valve lift and duration, allowing more air and fuel in for increased combustion and power. With heavier-duty valve springs, retainers, and lifters, you get high-revving potential.
Best For:
SR20DET, VQ35DE, RB26DETT
Our Builds Include:
Tomei or Brian Crower camshafts, dual valve springs, and titanium retainers, which are for engines revving over 8,000 RPM.
3. Turbocharger or Supercharger Systems
Why it matters:
Forced induction is arguably the most effective method of adding engine power. The majority of Nissan engines come turbocharged from the factory, though, putting in a larger turbo or adding one to a naturally aspirated engine is a completely different tale.
Best For:
KA24DE (turbo swap), VG30DETT, VR38DETT, VQ35DE
What We Offer:
Our engines come with Garrett, Precision, or HKS turbos already installed, complete with wastegates and exhaust manifolds matched to the application. Some builds feature complete twin-turbo installations with intercoolers and piping.
4. ECU Tuning and Standalone Engine Management
Why it’s important:
Your high-performance engine requires tuning in order to operate properly and safely. A standalone ECU provides complete control over ignition, fuel, boost, and more.
Best For:
All high-performance engines
Pre-Tuned Options:
We provide plug-and-play Haltech, AEM, and LinkECU tunes programmed to suit the upgrades installed. Purchase also includes dyno tuning customization.
5. High-Flow Fuel Systems
Why it matters:
More air needs more fuel. High-flow injectors, fuel pumps, and adjustable regulators make sure your engine is not running lean under heavy loads.
Best For:
Turbocharged setups, E85 setups
Included in Our Engines:
Bosch or Injector Dynamics injectors, Walbro or Deatschwerks fuel pumps, stainless braided fuel lines with AN fittings.
6. Enhanced Oiling Systems
Why it’s necessary:
Engine failure most often begins with a shortage of oiling during extreme stress. An upgraded oil pump and baffled oil pan keep starvation at bay during heavy cornering or acceleration.
Best For:
RB26DETT, SR20DET, VR38DETT (track/race use)
We Install:
Tomei oil pump upgrades, Greddy baffled pans, and remote oil filter relocation kits on our high-performance engines.
7. Cooling Upgrades
Why it matters:
More power = more heat. High-performance engines require better cooling to avoid overheating, especially with track use.
Best For:
All highly upgraded engines, especially turbocharged
Our Cooling Setup:
We provide upgraded aluminum radiators, high-flow water pumps, and electric fan kits with some of our engine packages.
8. Lightweight Flywheels and Clutch Kits
Why it matters:
A light flywheel reduces rotating weight for quicker engine response. Pair it with a high-performance clutch for better torque handling.
Best For:
Manual transmission swaps and performance driving
Available Options:
ACT, Exedy, or OS Giken twin-disc clutches and light billet flywheels for SR, RB, VQ, and KA engines.
Why Buy Our Upgraded Nissan Engines?
We don’t sell engines—we build them to deliver. Every engine we sell is:
✅ Rebuilt or new with OEM or upgraded internals professionally
✅ Dyno-tested for power and reliability
✅ Fully customizable to your requirements (NA, turbo, drag, drift, etc.)
✅ Worldwide shipping with installation support provided
Some of Our Most Popular Engine Builds
- Complete SR20DET Stage 3 Long Block: 450hp potential, forged internals, Garrett GT2871R turbo, Haltech ECU
- RB26DETT Twin Turbo Track Specification: 600+ hp, Tomei cams, twin fuel system, AEM ECU
- VQ35DE Street NA Build: 330+ hp, high comp pistons, custom headers, Link ECU
- KA24DE Turbo Drift Build: 400hp, T3/T4 turbo, forged internals, standalone ECU
Customer Testimonials
Carlos M. – Atlanta, GA
“The SR20DET I bought from you guys is a beast. Bolt-in ready out of the box, and I’m at 420hp on E85. Customer support was A+ too.”
James R. – San Diego, CA
“I went with the RB26 track build. Car rips! Engine came packaged securely and was exactly as described.”
Ready to Upgrade? Browse Our Nissan Engines for Sale
Whether you’re chasing big horsepower or want a streetable setup with better response, we’ve got the perfect Nissan engine for you. Browse our inventory of fully built, performance-upgraded engines that are ready to install, dyno-tested, and backed by our quality guarantee.
👉 Buy our Nissan engines for sale now by clicking here!
📞 Or call us now for custom orders or questions.
Final Thoughts
A Nissan engine rebuild will transform your whole driving experience—but it takes the correct parts, tuning, and expertise. Our pre-built performance Nissan engines take the guesswork out of performance. For street, strip, or track, we offer a developed, dyno-proven engine that’s ready to drop in and go.
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