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Perhaps you’ve heard of the truly legendary RB26 and 2JZ engines. They were built to be bulletproof and they were built for speed. But what makes them so great? What are the differences between the two? Which is better? Find the answers to these questions and much more below.
The RB26 and the 2JZ are both inline-six engines. This means that the cylinders follow a simple layout. The main differences between these engines are the cylinder and bore strokes, the revs, and the turbos.
Continue below to learn more about the pros and cons of both.
RB26 Engine
The Nissan RB26 was an engine used in the 1989 -2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R.
| Displacement | 2.6L |
| Engine Block Material | Cast Iron |
| Cylinder Head Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| BHP @ 6,800 RPM | 276 – 316 |
| Torque @ 4,400 RPM | 260 – 289 lb•ft |
Pros of the RB26
Here’s what makes the RB26 engine so legendary.
Over-Square Design
The RB26 features an over-square design. This means that the engine’s bore is longer than its stroke. There are several key differences between this and the square design of the 2JZ engine.
Here’s where this makes a difference:
- High RPMs: An over-square engine can rev high into the RPMs without too much worry about damaging pistons. The stock limit is 8,000 RPM.
- Packing a large punch: Engines with this over-square design are capable of producing a lot of power for their size.
- More room for intake and exhaust air valves with the larger diameter bore. The valve curtain area( amount of space for airflow) is 35% greater in the RB26’s over/square engine compared to the 2JZ’s square engine.
Now onto the disadvantages. The smaller displacement, the over-square design does come with the con of offering less low-end torque than the 2JZ. Increasing the displacement is a costly and challenging aftermarket venture.
Six-Throttle Body
The throttles control the amount of air flowing into a car. Many engines, including the 2JZ, have one single throttle bottle. This is where the RB26 differs. The RB26 has 6 individual throttle bodies, each for one cylinder.
Here’s where this makes a big difference:
- Throttle response time is increased
- This is a feature that was groundbreaking for the time that the RB26 originally came out (in the late 1980s)
- Effect on sound: with the increase in power and responsiveness, also comes the unique sound that the RB26 die-hards have come to love.
Are there any disadvantages to the six-throttle body design? More parts mean more challenging maintenance. If something goes wrong in the throttle body, you’ll have a more complicated (and potentially costly) repair than you would with a single throttle body, like the 2JZ.
Rarer Than The 2JZ
Depending upon which way you look at it, this is either an advantage or a disadvantage. The RB26 engine is harder to find than the 2JZ. Reason number one is that it simply wasn’t utilized as much as the 2JZ was across different models.
This can make it more of a challenge to find parts for an RB26 engine. It also makes it that much more rewarding when you hear the roar of the RB26 engine, knowing full well that you are one of the lucky few to have your hands on such a masterpiece.
Cons of the RB26
Below you’ll find the most common sources of problems in the RB26 engine.
Complicated Parts, Expensive To Repair
The RB26 has earned a reputation for being a bit complicated. This includes the stock twin-turbo system, the vacuum, oil, and water plumbing. All this can make it expensive to repair an RB26.
It is for this reason that buyers are encouraged to simplify things as soon as possible. A good first step is to revamp the hoses by removing unnecessary plumbing and replacing hoses as needed.
You may also need to make a turbo upgrade. Luckily, the engine in the RB26 is pretty tough and can easily handle turbos sized anywhere from 480 to 700whp.
Oil Pump Failures
Oil pump failures have historically been a common issue with the RB26 at high revs. Fortunately, this problem was mostly limited to early models of the engine. In later years, the problem was largely resolved with the addition of a redesigned oil pump.
Parallel-Mounted Twin Turbos
In contrast to the 2JZ’s sequential turbo system (more on this later), the RB26 was fitted with two parallel-mounted twin turbos at the factory. This is a little bit of a subject of debate whether this is a good thing or not.
Some prefer to convert the twin turbo to a single-top-mounted turbo. User experiences can vary, but those who’ve experimented with both setups claim that indeed the single turbo makes the engine much more responsive than if the twin turbos had been left on.
2JZ Engine
The Toyota 2JZ engine was produced from 1991 to 2007. It was used in the Toyota Supra, Altezza, Aristo Crown, Mark, Origin, Progres, and Soarer.
| Displacement | 3L |
| Engine Block Material | Cast Iron |
| Cylinder Head Material | Aluminum |
| BHP @ 5,800-6,000 RPM | 212-227 |
| Torque @ 4,800-5,800 RPM | 283-298 lb • ft |
Pros of The Toyota 2JZ
Here’s what makes the 2JZ engine so legendary.
More Durable Than Just Anything Else You’ll Ever Own
The 2JZ engine was made to be bulletproof. The overdesigned engine features include a cast iron block, a three-layered steel head gasket, and a forged steel crankshaft. The ironclad cylinders allow room for plenty of turbo pressure.
If there’s a downside to all of this, it’s that all of this does add quite a bit of weight to the engine. The effects of this will be discussed further in the cons section below.
Tuning Potential
Tuning potential alone contributes to a significant portion of the 2JZ’s fame. It has been described as one of the best tuner engines ever made. The 2JZ is well-known for being one of the most over-engineered engines in automotive history.
In the case of the Supra and the 2JZ-GTE inline-six, you can seamlessly tune the engine to make more than 320 horsepower. There’s little need to worry about experiencing negative repercussions.
Sequential Turbo System
There are plenty of positives with the twin-turbo system. Unfortunately, it’s been placed in the cons section for a reason. More on that later. But for now, let’s go over a quick introduction to what exactly the sequential turbo system is.
The sequential turbo system in the 2JZ features the first turbo that delivers power at 1650 RPM. The second turbo was activated at 4,000 RPM. The design is meant to prevent lag. You can also hit higher power figures than you would with a parallel twin turbo setup.
The only downside of the sequential booster setup is that it has earned a reputation for being failure-prone. That being said, as is the case in the Toyota Supra, the 2JZ is capable of delivering one of the more reliable sequential boosters on the market.
Cons of The Toyota 2JZ
Below you’ll find the most common sources of problems in the 2JZ engine.
Timing Belt Tensioner Bracket Failure
Unfortunately, the 2JZ has been known to experience issues with the timing belt. Specifically, the timing belt tensioner bracket is prone to failure.
The most common symptoms of timing belt tensioner failure are sluggish acceleration, difficulty starting the vehicle, and squeezing or squeezing noises when the engine is idling.
Fortunately, the timing belt tensioner is not too expensive to replace, as evidenced by the price here. If you are replacing the timing belt itself for any reason, you are certainly encouraged to replace the tensioner as well.
Water Pump Is A Weak Point
The water pump has been identified as one of the primary weak points in the 2JZ engine. Some common signs of a bad water pump can include engine overheating, the leaking of coolant, and high-pitched harmonic whining noises.
One culprit is the 2JZ’s known sensitivity to both cold temperatures and moisture. This can lead to challenges in certain climates. However, industry experts note that the 2JZ is capable of lasting 300K+ miles, as long as it remains well cared for.
Costly Repairs
The design of the 2JZ is not overly complicated. However, any newly-purchased engine must get the magnifying glass treatment from someone who knows what they’re doing. Repairing a damaged 2JZ engine can prove to be quite costly.
The most common sources of trouble in the 2 are the water pump and cambelt. Compression and leak-down tests are highly encouraged.
What Are The Similarities Between The 2JZ and the RB26? Differences?
There’s plenty of overlap between the 2JZ and RB26. What is an in-line six engine? What are the primary differences between these engines? Find out below.
Both are Inline-Six Engines
Both the 2JZ and the RB26 are straight-six engines, also referred to as “inline-six engines”. The major benefit of these types of engines is the harmonic nature of the cylinders.
Here is how straight-six engines work:
- Every cylinder that’s undergoing combustion is countered by another cylinder that’s undergoing an induction stroke.
- Very little vibration is generated because the paired cylinders are placed symmetrically around the center point of the crankshaft.
- This simple in-line layout also allows more space for aftermarket performance-enhancers, such as turbochargers.
These types of engines are also cost-effective options in terms of maintenance costs. One key downside is that inline engines do take up more space in the engine bay compared to a V6.
Displacement: 2.6L Engine vs. the 2JZ’s 3.0L
One of the big differences between the RB26 and the 2JZ is the engine displacement. The 2JZ has a 3.0L engine, while the RB26 has a 2.6L engine. This means that the 2JZ is more powerful in stock condition.
You see this in the specs table above, by looking at the power and torque that the RB26 has to offer.
The key takeaway here though is that as straight-six engines, both of these do afford plenty of opportunity for aftermarket modifications. The other big difference is that the RB26 is an under-square engine. The bore (86 mm) is bigger than the stroke.
Weight
Both the RB26 and the 2JZ are bulky engines, so neither holds an advantage over the other in this regard. The RB26 comes in at 406 lbs and for the 2JZ the scale should read somewhere in the territory of 440 lbs.
This can make swap-outs and modifications a challenge with these engines. The weight is an unfortunate side-effect of having engines that are made to be bulletproof, with all of the tuning possibilities that one could ever dream of.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the 2JZ and RB26 engines.
Q: How Long Can The 2JZ Last? The RB26?
A: Both the RB26 and 2JZ are capable of lasting 300K+ miles, provided that routine maintenance is performed. Owners are cautioned against shortcuts when tuning an engine, as this can damage an engine.
These engines were designed to be bulletproof, so they are durable. The main concern would be that these engines are getting a bit old, so you are certainly encouraged to take a good look at an engine before purchase.
Some of the most commonly repaired components of each engine are mentioned in the sections above.
Q: Is The 2JZ or RB26 Still Made?
A: No, both engines were discontinued long ago. In their place, Toyota and Nissan opted for less heavy engines. Modern engines deliver more responsible fuel efficiency, decreased emissions, and a more sleek design.
It’s the legendary performance and unique roar of the engine that has people coming back to these classics in droves.
Q: Which Is Better, the 2JZ or the RB26?
A: Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but overall there is quite a bit of overlap in characteristics. There are a few main bullet points to go over here though.
- The RB26 is an over-square engine, and the 2JZ is a square engine. An over-square engine has a longer cylinder bore than a stroke.
- The consequence is that RB26 can reach higher RPMs, but its low-end torque is less than that of the 2JZ
- The 2JZ has a sequential turbo system where the two turbos kick in at different times. The RB26 has two twin turbos, which some suggest should be replaced by a single top-mounted turbo.
- Some suggest that the RB26 has a better sound, thanks to the six-throttle body design.
Conclusion
The 2JZ and the RB26 are both legendary straight-six engines. If you are considering either of these, then you are highly encouraged to read more into the main differences between the two, as mentioned in the sections above.
References:
Engineering Explained
Industrias Dolz
Low Offset
Hagerty
How bore vs. stroke can affect horsepower
Motor Trend
Building Power With Nissan’s Most Popular Engines – Tech
Cars Guide
Nissan RB26 engine: Everything you need to know
Auto Extreme
RB26 Twin Turbos or Single Turbo, What is Better?
Road & Track
Why the MkIV Toyota Supra’s 2JZ Engine Is So Good
The Motor Hood
700kW-Plus 2JZ-GTE In Three Easy Steps
Which Car?
Everything you need to know about inline-six engines
Car Scoops
Pros & Cons: Straight-Six Vs V6 Engines Duke It Out
Amazon
AISIN BTT-503 OEM Timing Belt Tensioner
