The RB20 engine is one of the larger Nissan RB family of engines that were produced between 1985 and 2002.
The RB20 family included 7 engine models:
- RB20E
- RB20ET
- RB20DE
- RB20DET
- RB20P
- RB20DET-R
- RB20DE NEO
Nissan RB20DET Engine Specifications.
The RB20DET was a turbocharged version of the RB20DE. This new version made use of a Garrett T28 turbocharger, running a boost pressure of 7 psi.
Below you’ll find the key specifications for the Nissan RB20DET:
- Production Years: 1985-1993 (Yokohama Plant)
- Cylinder Block Alloy: Cast-iron
- Configuration: Straight-6
- Valvetrain: DOHC 4 valves
- Piston Stroke: 69.7mm (2.74″)
- Cylinder Bore: 78mm (3.07″)
- Compression Ratio: 8.5
- Displacement: 2.0L (1998cc)
- Stock Power: 215 bhp
- Stock Torque: 196lb-ft
- Weight: 245kg (540lb)
- Turbocharger: Ceramic wheel Garrett T28 w/ T3 flange
- Tuning HP Potential (Max HP): 400+
- Nissan RB20DET – Everything You Need To Know
The 5 worst things to do while building your first Nissan RB Engine
RB20DET Disassembly / Tear-down Guide -- R32 Skyline
How to Check Piston to Cylinder Bore Clearance
RB20DET Rebuild (Part 1) Bottom End Assembly -- 350-400bhp
RB20DET Rebuild (Part 2) Head Assembly -- 350-400bhp
RB20 Camshaft Upgrades.
What is lift?
Lift, in camshaft terms, is how far the camshaft lifts the valve. On the RB20DET engine, both the intake and exhaust camshafts have 7.8mm of lift. The popular Tomei Poncam upgrade (which are direct drop-in camshafts, compatible with the stock valvetrain), features 8.5mm of lift on both the intake and exhaust camshafts.
What is Duration?
Duration, in camshaft terms, is how long the valve is held open by the lobe on the camshaft. In the case of the RB20DET engine, the intake camshaft has 240° (degree’s) of duration, and 240° of duration on the exhaust camshaft. One of the more popular, bolt on camshaft upgrades, the Tomei Poncam’s, increase duration to 256° of duration on both the intake and exhaust. The increased duration means the valve’s remain open for a longer period of time, allowing more air/fuel to enter the cylinder.
Increasing both the lift and duration of an engine’s camshafts allows more air/fuel to enter the cylinders, which in turn, means more power can be produced. When increasing the lift and duration of camshafts, one must ensure the valvetrain is capable of handling the increased lift and duration. Many stock valve trains can handle slight increases in lift. The lift of the RB20DET camshaft can be safely increased from 7.8 to 8.5mm with stock valve springs. Beyond this, stronger valve springs designed for higher lift are required.
Tomei Adjustable Cam Gear (Nissan RB20/RB25/RB26)
Note: Several poster’s on SkylinesAustralia.com have argued that certain camshaft upgrades don’t require adjustable cam gears, as the manufacturers of the camshafts did enough R&D to maximize the camshafts potential without requiring adjustable gears.
RB20 Camshaft Upgrades
How To Degree an RB20DE(T/TT) Camshaft
Read the Procedure - Tools - Tips to do the task on the link below.
Mass Airflow Meters : Troubleshooting and Repair.
The stock RB26dett has a pretty unique arrangement for measuring the amount of air that comes into the engine. It has a dual MAF, or mass airflow meter. Most production cars have a single MAF, but for the RB26 Nissan decided to double up. The way they work, there is a heated element in a tube. Air passes over that heated element, and from the change in resistance, the amount of voltage varies. Since they can put out anywhere from 0-5 volts, it is not often that you will see a "CODE" or Check Engine Light if it is faulty.
