By Colin Wood
Dec 3, 2020
Interest in Nissan RB inline-six continues to grow, even though it dates back to 1985. What exactly makes it unique when compared to the likes of the Toyota JZ or BMW M series engines? Let’s all learn a bit about the powerplant found in Nissan’s famed Skyline GT-R.
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12/3/20 3:00 p.m.
And what do we think about an RB in an early Z-car? Coolest thing ever or too much?
12/3/20 3:25 p.m.
They sound cool, but those things seem to be made of glass once you up the power even a little bit. Particularly oil pumps. Seems like you have to spend mega-bucks if you want them to last.
12/3/20 4:17 p.m.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
It's not too much if the RB is made old school by ditching the turbos: Rocky Auto RB30 240ZG
12/3/20 4:55 p.m.
A lot of the silliness back in the day with the "ZOMG 1500hp RB26!!!" sort of thing was one pull only.
Then they tuned the engine back to a sane level and left it in the car.
12/4/20 11:49 a.m.
I saw a 240z with a SR20DET 4 cyl once, and I thought that was cool because it moved the weight back (shorter engine), reduced the overall weight of the car (aluminum 4 cyl) and had a lot more power than the stock engine. An RB26 I'm guessing would increase the weight and power, so at something like an autocross you'd be better off with the SR... probably... For the street, maybe the RB26 would be cooler and fwy cruising??? One thing is for sure, the RB would sound better than the SR20...
12/4/20 11:55 a.m.
They don't sound like a VQ
12/4/20 11:59 a.m.
That alone makes it top 10 in my book. How can Nissan make a v6 sound like garbage when the Italians can make one sound symphonic without even trying?
12/4/20 1:32 p.m.
Thank the good lord for that.
12/4/20 2:00 p.m.
A built big turbo RB sounds amazing. I think they just have a lot of emotional appeal... Such an important part of the GT-R heritage, ITBs, twin turbo, oversquare and high revving. Never mind all their shortcomings and $$$ build parts.
I'd love to do a big EFR (8474, 9180?) on a 2.8L stroker that can rev pretty high and click off 600++whp in a R33 to capture some nostalgia from that era of Nissan styling (I owned several Zenki S14 240SX including my first car). But the cars are already stupid expensive, I wouldn't winter drive it, and I'd be loathe to really beat it on track, so what's the point. Don't meet your heroes!
12/4/20 2:07 p.m.
In reply to rodney_essex :
I always liked the idea of an RB20DE in a 240Z. Kind of a poor mans Z432.
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