Basics
The RB26DETT. An engine of much myth. We are going to try and set out some truths.

- Member of the RB engine family, descendant of the Nissan L20A.
- Rated at 280 hp stock from 1989-2001.
- Found in the R32, R33, and R34 GT-R.
- Inline 6 cylinder, Iron block, aluminum head.
- 2568cc of displacement.
- 86mm bore x 73.7mm stroke. 96.5mm bore spacing.
- Twin turbo (parallel).
- Individual throttle bodies (6).
- Coil on plug ignition.
- Interference engine.
Head
- Valve/Cam covers
- Cast aluminum. Black on R32/R33. Red on R34. Nur on the Nurs. Two breathers located at the back of the plenum. Drivers side goes to PCV valve. There is a crossover tube. Left side goes to the inlet side of the rear turbo.
- Spark plug cover
- You know the piece. Says RB26DETT GT-R on it. The engine looks more finished with the spark plug cover. We like to leave them off to keep the coils cooler.
- Front cover
- The piece that says RB26. Covers the timing belt. Not recommended to leave off. Aluminum on R32/R33. Plastic on R34.
- Ignitor chip
- R32/R33: Located at the back of the spark plug cover.
- R34: Ignitors are built into the coils on the R34. (No external ignitor chip).
- Coils
- Coil on plug. R32/R33 are the same. R34s have the ignitor built in.
- Spark Plugs
- PFR6A-11 are the stock plugs.
- Camshafts
- Intake 8.58mm lift, 240° duration. 113° deg Lobe Center.
- Exhaust 8.28mm lift, 236° duration. 125 deg Lobe Center
- R33 N1 exhaust cam has 120° lobe center. R34 N1 lobe centers: Intake 117°, exhaust 121°.
- Valves
- Intake 34.5mm
- Exhaust 30mm
- Head bolts
- (14) 12 mm head bolts
- Head casting
- 4 valves per cylinder. Twin cam. Cam on bucket. Shim under bucket adjustment
- Head gasket
- Bore diameter is 87.22mm
Induction side
- Intake plenum, (not intake manifold). aka surge tank, collector
- Throttle bodies.
- 6 individual throttle bodies. Located in between the intake plenum and the head. Cars have done over 1000 whp on stock throttle bodies.
- Balance tube
- Vacuum/boost and water pass though the balance tube
Exhaust side
- Exhaust manifolds
- Two manifolds. Feed 3 cylinders each into the turbine housing. T25 outlet. Cast, and durable.
- Stock
- N1
- Turbochargers
- Ceramic exhaust wheels that break off
- Internally wastegated turbine housing.
- T25 two bolt compressor inlet. T25 turbine inlet. 5 bolt turbine outlet.
- Exhaust elbow
- Downpipe(Frontpipe)
Block and rotating assembly
- Pistons
- 86mm. Stock pistons are oil cooled. 1.5 mm top ring, 1.5 mm 2nd ring.
- Rods
- 121.5mm center to center.
- Water pump
- Stock
- N1
- Oil Pump
- OE pump commonly fails with sustained high RPM use
- N1 is the same pump with a stiffer spring
- Oil squirters
- Crankshaft
- Early R32 crankshaft has a narrow oil pump drive.
- Later R32 and all R33, R34 crankshafts have a wide oil pump drive.
- Main cap/girdle
- 7 main bearings. #4 being the center main bearing and containing the thrust bearing. The other 6 bearings are the same construction.
- Oil pan
- Cast aluminum. Contains the front differential.
- Block casting
- 05u on the side. Thats a standard block.
- 24U on the side. Thats an N1 block
- GT Block. That one is special
Engine Control
- ECU
- Takes inputs (CAS, MAFs), references maps, and outputs (Injector pulsewidth, ignition).
- MAF
- 65mm diameter. Uses a hot wire and measures voltage needed to keep wire at temperature. Voltage range is such that each will meter air up to approximately 200whp (400whp total)
- Fuel injectors
- 444 cubic centimeters/minute at stock fuel pressure. Yellow top. Top feed, Low impedance. Denso style.
- Fuel pump
- 195 liters per hour - R32
- Crank angle sensor
- R32-R33
- R34 uses a different cam drive for the sensor.
initial source: tyndago.googlepages.com
page revision: 21, last edited: 11 Dec 2019 12:38