In the mid-1980s, Nissan set the stage for an automotive legend with the introduction of the RB series, featuring the Response Balance (RB) straight-six gasoline engines. Starting with the RB20E, these engines found their way into the fifth-generation Laurel sedan, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey.
As the RB series progressed, a turbocharged version, the RB20ET, emerged. By 1989, all RB engines received a boost with a redesigned cylinder head and the Electronic Concentrated Control System (ECCS) electronic injection system. This laid the foundation for something truly extraordinary.
In 1989, Nissan made a spectacular return to the high-performance scene with the release of the GT-R variant of its Skyline model. Chief engineer Naganori Ito's brainchild was developed for FIA Group A racing, aiming to replace the struggling R31 GTS-R.
Under the hood of this new GT-R was the heart of the beast—the RB26DETT. Born from the Response Balance family, this 2.6-liter, dual-overhead-cam, twin-turbocharged engine boasted a cast-iron block and an aluminum head, featuring four valves per cylinder. Noteworthy enhancements included six individual throttle bodies, cast pistons with cooling channels, I-beam conrods, and a parallel twin-turbo system.
Despite being officially rated at 276 hp at 6,800 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, enthusiasts quickly discovered the RB26's hidden potential. A boost restrictor, part of a gentlemen's agreement among Japanese carmakers to limit output for safety reasons, could be removed, revealing the engine's capability to produce well over 300 hp.
Nissan's motorsport prowess shone through with the GT-R Nismo, a Group A homologation model that dominated the Japanese Touring Car Championship, securing victory in all 29 races from 1989 to 1993. This track success, coupled with wins in prestigious events like the 1991 Spa 24 Hour race, earned the GT-R the moniker "Godzilla."
The RB26DETT N1, a competition-spec version, showcased the engine's true might, pushing power figures between 450 and 600 hp. This unleashed potential was made possible by race-grade upgrades like a RENIK-designed block, strengthened internals, and enhanced cooling channels.
Moving into the 1990s, the R33 GT-R maintained the RB26's glory, and in 1997, Nismo surprised enthusiasts with the limited-edition 400R. Powered by the RBX-GT2, a modified version of the RB26, it defied the gentlemen's agreement, producing 400 hp and achieving remarkable performance figures.
In 1999, the R34 GT-R took center stage with an improved RB26, now equipped with ball-bearing turbochargers and a dual-mass flywheel. As production continued until 2003, the RB26 became a playground for tuning enthusiasts, pushing the limits to achieve mind-boggling power figures exceeding 900 hp.
In the YouTube video shared by That Racing Channel, there's an impressive sight of an R34 Skyline GT-R cruising through the streets, boasting a formidable 1,100 horsepower from its RB26DETT engine.