Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
12/3/20 2:58 p.m.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/TS3fFLg2QfU

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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David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
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? 

NickD
NickD UltimaDork
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. 

j_tso
j_tso Reader
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

ShawnG
ShawnG UltimaDork
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.

rodney_essex
rodney_essex New Reader
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...

captdownshift (Forum Supporter)
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
12/4/20 11:55 a.m.

They don't sound like a VQ 

Cactus
Cactus HalfDork
12/4/20 11:59 a.m.
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

They don't sound like a VQ 

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?

Paul_VR6 (Forum Supporter)
Paul_VR6 (Forum Supporter) Dork
12/4/20 1:32 p.m.
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

They don't sound like a VQ 

Thank the good lord for that.

turtl631
turtl631 HalfDork
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!

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
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.

Patientzero
Patientzero HalfDork
12/4/20 2:47 p.m.

Big Turbo RB with a sequential > everything else

 

A friend of mine here in the states has a NA RB25 with RB26 ITB's in a 240z.  It's pretty badass.

Vajingo
Vajingo Reader
12/4/20 9:09 p.m.
j_tso said:

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

This. Exactly this. No exceptions. No turbo. Having owned several Z's including a stroked and bored L28 with triple Weber's. No turbo. No four cylinders. No v8's. I-6, ITBs. Good. 

Patientzero
Patientzero HalfDork
12/5/20 3:02 p.m.
Subscriber-unavailabile
Subscriber-unavailabile HalfDork
12/5/20 4:52 p.m.

How about the mini RB the CA18DET, not as potent as an SR  but interesting with factory 8500 rpm 

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