what does VQ in VQ30DE stand for exactly?

 

to differentiate between different Nissan engine "types".

Stuff that does stand for something:
- "30": 3.0L (engine size)
- "D": Double overhead cams (per cyl bank...4 cams total)
- "E": Electronic fuel injection

For the 2000 Maxima's VQ30DE-K, the "K" simply stands for something like Kaizen, which is japanese for improved, or so I'm told.

Previous Maxima engines were the VG30E and VE30DE...you can figure out roughly the configuration of those engines

 

thanks thats what i figured.