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.
