Is it forged? It looks like it is cast to me. I am not an expert, but the non-machined surfaces look to be cast on the VQ crank.

also, the number of main cap bolts doesn't affect crank flex occuring at the rod journals of the crank.

 

Update....The Crank from this motor was CRACKED!! We had it Magnafluxed..Had Hairline cracks near the Thrust and mains..

 

Sounds like to me something else was up, besides a high rpm 2-step.

 

eeek

 

Just to let you know, the VQ30 oil pump likes to crack if it goes over 7300-7500. Very similar problem. There are several people trying to rev the shorter stroke VQ30 to 8000 or over and almost all of them had the oil pump blow eventually while the rods hold up fine.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....light=pump+oil
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....light=pump+oil

 

It will be hard to tell what cracked the Crankshaft, but there again I still
think a Harmonic Balancer sure would not of hurt the situation...maybe
would have helped prevent it. If the oil pump broke because of
excessive harmonics, just think of all the other components it affects.
We have to remember, we are pushing these engines to 3 times more
than the factory Dampner was designed for...some don't even run those.