DuelsLeaderboardGarageBlogCarsGlossaryBrowse

RB26DETT

Car culture term

RB26DETT
Photo: Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

What is RB26DETT?

Nissan's legendary 2.6-litre twin-turbo inline-six, built for the Skyline GT-R and revered for its strength and huge tuning potential.

The RB26DETT is a 2.6-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six engine produced by Nissan from 1989 to 2002, developed specifically for the Skyline GT-R (R32, R33 and R34). Its designation breaks down as RB engine family, 26 for displacement, D for dual overhead cams, E for electronic fuel injection and TT for twin turbo.

Factory rated at around 276 horsepower under Japan's gentlemen's agreement, the RB26 actually produced more and was hugely underrated. Its strong iron block, individual throttle bodies and robust internals made it capable of withstanding enormous power once tuned, with built examples comfortably exceeding 800 or even 1,000 horsepower.

The RB26DETT's combination of motorsport success, tuning headroom and GT-R mystique made it one of the most iconic Japanese performance engines ever built. It remains a centrepiece of JDM culture and a popular swap candidate among enthusiasts.

Related terms

2JZ swapJDMIndividual Throttle Bodies (ITBs)Twin-Scroll TurboNismo

Frequently asked questions

What car uses the RB26DETT?
The RB26DETT powered the Nissan Skyline GT-R in R32, R33 and R34 forms from 1989 to 2002.
How much power does the RB26 make?
It was factory rated at around 276 horsepower, though it actually made more, and tuned examples can exceed 800 to 1,000 horsepower.
What does RB26DETT stand for?
RB is the engine family, 26 the 2.6-litre displacement, D dual cam, E electronic injection and TT twin turbo.
Why is the RB26 so tunable?
Its strong iron block, individual throttle bodies and robust internals let it handle far more boost and power than standard.
Is the RB26 an inline-six?
Yes, it is a 2.6-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six, a layout prized for its smoothness and balance.

RB26DETT on the blog

Why the Nissan Skyline Is the Most Talked About Car That Most Americans Never Drove
Why the Nissan Skyline Is the Most Talked About Car That Most Americans Never Drove

No car in the history of American automotive obsession has been wanted this badly by this many people who never had a legal way to get one. The Nissan Skyline GT-R spent twenty-five years as forbidden fruit, visible in every corner of car culture, unattainable on public roads, and somehow more desirable for being both of those things simultaneously. The story of why that happened, and what finally changed, is one of the stranger chapters in the relationship between American car enthusiasm and government regulation.

Back to Glossary