The RB engine is a 2.0 L to 3.0 L straight-6 piston engine from Nissan. It is an aluminum and cast iron DOHC 4-valve per cylinder design. All RB engines have belt driven cams. All turbo models have an intercooled turbo and recirculating factory blow off valve to relive turbo boost when the throttle is closed. All are twin cam except the single cam 2 L RB20E and 3 L RB30E engine.
From 1998 the RB series (except the RB20E and RB30E, as they were discontinued) 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 205.94 kW on paper, according to Nissan specs. In reality it produces more than this but it is under estimated because all main Japanese car manufacturers have gentlemen's agreement not to produce cars with engines exceeding 206 kW.
The "RB" name is thought to represent "rhythm & balance", or "race bred". As yet, there is no official word on the naming convention.
RB20
There were three 2.0 L RB20 engines produced:
- RB20E - single-cam
- RB20DE - twin-cam
- RB20DET - twin-cam turbo
R32 and R33 Skylines, Laurels and Cefiros used the RB20E/DE/DET, R34 skylines used the RB20DE engine with a NEO head. The non turbo models were also fitted to various Holdens in Australia and New Zealand.
RB25
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 Stages. R34 Skylines also use these engines but they are fitted with a NEO head.
RB26
The only 2.6 L RB26 was the RB26DETT. This was also the only twin turbo RB.
RB26DETT
The first 2.6 L RB26DETT featured twin turbochargers and produced 280 hp (205.94 kW) @ 6800 rpm and 260 ft.lbf (353 Nm) @ 4400 rpm. The last series of the RB26dett (with NEO head) produced 280 hp (205.94 kW) @ 6800 rpm and 289 ft.lbf (392 Nm) @ 4400 rpm. It is renowned for its strength and many examples have been modified to produce over 1000 hp (776 kW).
It was used in the following cars:
RB30
Two models of 3.0 L RB30 were produced, the non turbo RB30E and the RB30ET. The N/A RB30E was fitted to both the Nissan R31 Skyline and the Holden VL Commodore. This engine made 114kw. The Turbo version was fitted only to the VL Commodore, and made 150kw.
See also
