In 1987 Nissan began work on an engine exclusively for race use and began work on the VEJ30 engine, developed by Yoshikazu Ishikawa.
This engine was based on old technology, and was not a success.
For 1988 the VEJ30 was improved by Yoshimasa Hayashi and renamed the VRH30.
Changes included increasing displacement to 3.4 L (3,396 cc).

This engine was still based on the obsolete VEJ30 and development of the all new VRH35 was started in parallel with VRH30.
In 1989 the VRH35 appeared as a new development engine and was used in the Nissan R89C. The improved VRH35Z appeared in 1990 in the R90C.
In 1997 Nissan, working in partnership with Tom Walkinshaw Racing, fielded an updated version of the engine called the VRH35L in the R390 GT1.
This revised engine produces around 650 PS; 641 bhp (478 kW) at 6800 rpm.

The engine was also used in the 1998 Courage Compétition C51 Nissan at the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Both cars retired.

The design of the engine was later sold to McLaren Automotive where it formed the basis of their M838T family of engines.
In 1987 Nissan began work on an engine exclusively for race use and began work on the VEJ30 engine, developed by Yoshikazu Ishikawa. This engine was based on old technology, and was not a success. For 1988 the VEJ30 was improved by Yoshimasa Hayashi and renamed the VRH30. Changes included increasing displacement to 3.4 L (3,396 cc).
This engine was still based on the obsolete VEJ30 and development of the all new VRH35 was started in parallel with VRH30. In 1989 the VRH35 appeared as a new development engine and was used in the Nissan R89C. The improved VRH35Z appeared in 1990 in the R90C.
In 1997 Nissan, working in partnership with Tom Walkinshaw Racing, fielded an updated version of the engine called the VRH35L in the R390 GT1. This revised engine produces around 650 PS; 641 bhp (478 kW) at 6800 rpm.
The engine was also used in the 1998 Courage Compétition C51 Nissan at the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans. Both cars retired.
The design of the engine was later sold to McLaren Automotive where it formed the basis of their M838T family of engines.
Nissan VRH engine