Nissan RB engine

The RB engine is a 2.0 L to 3.0 L straight-6 piston engine from Nissan. It has an aluminum head and cast iron block, SOHC/DOHC two or four-valve per cylinder design with a hemispherical head and belt driven cams. Most turbo models have an intercooled turbo, and recirculating factory blow off valve (with the exception of automatic Laurels and Cefiros) to reduce boost surge when the throttle is closed. All are twin cam except the single cam 2 L RB20E, 2.4L RB24s and 3L RB30E engines. From 1998 the RB25DE/T series was released with a "NEO" head. This enabled the engine to be classed as a LEV (low emission vehicle) engine. With the NEO head, torque and power were further improved although the RB26DETT produced still only 280 PS (206 kW) on paper, according to Nissan factory specs. In reality it produces more than this, but it is underestimated because all main Japanese car manufacturers have a gentlemen's agreement not to produce cars with engines exceeding 206 kW. The "RB" name is misconstrued and thought to represent "rhythm & balance", or "race bred". This is not the case, it simply is a "series designator".

RB20

File:R31 rb20e.jpg

R31 RB20E engine in an R31 Nissan Skyline

There were three 2.0 L RB20 engines produced:

RB20E - single-cam (130 hp)
RB20DE - twin-cam (155 hp)
RB20DET - twin-cam turbo (215 hp)

The first series RB20E/DE/DET engine was fitted to the R31 Skyline and is generaly refered to as a "red top" RB engine as it has red cam covers, it used the "NICS" (nissan induction control system) injection system. The non-turbo models were also fitted to various Holdens in Australia and New Zealand, and some early Z31(300zx).

Laurels, R32 Skyline and Cefiros used the second (1988-1993) series RB20E/DE/DET .This series RB engine has an improved head desighn over the previous version and used the new "ECCS" (electronically concerntrated control system) injection system.

R34 Skylines and Nissan Stageas used the RB20DE and RB20e (Stagea only) engine with a NEO head. The Neo Rb20de is the most economical Rb engine so far produced, it is classed as LEV (low emission vehicle) engine.

RB24

There was only one version of the RB24 engine produced:

RB24s - single-cam

This is a relatively unknown engine, as it was not produced for the Japanese domestic market. These were fitted to some left hand drive Nissan Cefiros exported from Japan new. Mechanically it is made from an RB30e head, RB25de/det block and RB20de/det crank with 34 mm heigh pistons. This engine used carberators instead of the Nissan ECCS fuel injection system. This has the outcome of it being able to rev harder than the RB25de/det (as it has the same stroke as the RB20de/det) as well as being almost the same displacment as the RB25de/det. A common modification is to fit a twin cam head from other RB series motors while retaining the carberated set-up. In standard single cam form it produced 141 PS @ 5000 rpm and 20.1 kgf·m of torque @ 4,400 rpm

RB25

File:R33 motor (RB25DET).jpg

1993 RB25DET with VCT

The 2.5 L RB25 engine was produced in two forms:

RB25DE - twin-cam
RB25DET - twin-cam turbo

RB25DE and DET engines produced from August 1993 also featured variable cam timing (VCT) for the intake cam. This gave the new RB25DE more power and torque at lower rpm than the previous model.

In May 1998 a NEO head was fitted. This was also a low emission vehicle engine (LEV). The non-VCT and non-turbo was fitted to the R32 Skyline, the VCT turbo and non-turbo was fitted to R33 Skylines and Stageas. R34 Skylines also use these engines, but they are fitted with a NEO head.

RB26DETT

The first 2.6 L RB26DETT featured twin turbochargers and produced 280 PS (206 kW) @ 6800 rpm and 260 ft·lbf (353 N·m) @ 4400 rpm. The last series of the RB26DETT (with NEO head) produced 280 PS (206 kW) @ 6800 rpm and 289 ft·lbf (392 N·m) @ 4400 rpm. It is renowned for its strength and through extensive modification, some examples have been known to produce over 1000 hp (735 kW) and with regular maintenance, many of these engines have been driven way past the 100,000 mile mark with a few heading toward 200,000 miles. The engine block is strong to 1360 hp (1000 kw)

It was used in the following cars:

RB26DETT Z2

The motor used in the Nissan Skyline Z-Tune is a 2.8 L. Although the 26 stands for 2.6 L, there was never a Nissan engine called The RB28. It is basically the RB26 motor, modified with Nismo parts, and stroked to 2.8 L. The end result was the RB26 Z2, which puts out 530 hp (390 kW) and 550 N·m of torque.

RB30

The motor is a cast iron block with a alloy head, and a SOHC at 86x86. Three models of 3.0 L RB30 were produced, the carburetted RB30S, the non-turbo RB30E and the turbo RB30ET. This motor was produced because the Holden 202 (3.3l) powering the Holden Commodore could no longer satisfied emissions requirements, and with all new cars required to run on unleaded petrol by 1986, a quick replacement was needed. Nissan Motor co. teamed up with GM to build their biggest displacement RB, the 3-litre RB30. The carburetted RB30S was fitted to Nissan Patrols and develops 100 kW and 223 Nm of torque. The RB30E was fitted to the Australian and South African Nissan R31 Skyline and the Holden VL Commodore (Australia). This engine had four different outputs ranging from 114 kw to 140 kw depending on the model it was fitted to. The Turbo version was fitted to the VL Commodore, and produced around 150 kW.

RB30DE

These rare engines were used in the Tommy Kaira M30 based on the R31 Skyline GTS-R. It delivered 177 kw @ 7000rpm and 294 Nm @ 4800rpm. Apparently the engine was made up of a RB30 bottom end mated to a modified RB20DE head. These engines also exists as a hybrid conversion using a RB30 bottom end and a RB25DE head.

RB30DET

No official version exists but it is referred to by tuners as the engine can be bored to 3 liters. Also refers to a turbocharged engine featuring an RB30E block with a twin-cam head conversion. Common hybrid in Australia using a RB30E bottom end mated to a RB25DE cylinder head and turbo. The RB25DE cylinder head from the R32 Skyline, A31 Cefiro or C33 Laurel can be used. The RB25DET (from the R33 Skyline or C34 Laurel or Stagea) head is usually not used, as the oil and water galleries do not match up with the RB30 block, and the variable cam timing on the RB25DET further compicates things. As it has a heavier block (relative to the RB26DETT), horsepower has been brought up to 1600HP (compared to 1400HP) at limits of block. There is also an "RB30DETT" kit manufactured by OS Giken of Japan, which simply replaces the stock engine block with a pre-fabricated one, measuring 86mm bore x 86mm stroke and featuring reinforced internals.

RB-X GT2

The RB-X GT2 (also called REINIK) is an engine specially made for the Nismo 400R. The difference between this engine and a RB26 DETT is the engine is bored to 2771 cm³ which gives out 450 PS (331 kW) at 6,800 rpm and 47.8 kgf·m (469 N·m or 347 lbf·ft) at 4,400 rpm. This engine comes with a reinforced cylinder block, cylinder head, 87 metal head gasket t=1.2, piston with cooling channel, forged crank shaft, forged connecting rods, N1 turbine with reinforcement actuator, high flow air cleaner, stainless down pipe amd low air resistance sport catalizer, most of which is not offered on the RB26DETT.

RD28

This is a 2.8L diesel engine that is fitted to some Nissan Laurels. The Nissan RD engine series is practically the same as the RB series but runs on diesel. It is a single over head cam engine with electronic fuel injection. These engines are usually found on the Nissan Laurel and has a 2.8L capacity. RD engine owners have been known to replace the engine head with a higher quality custom head to convert the engine to petrol, thus creating a 2.8L petrol engine.