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Nissan RB26DETT specs: 2.6L (156.7 ci) 6-cylinder, 86 x 73.7 mm (3.3858 x 2.9016 in) bore and stroke, 8.5:1 compression. Rated 280 hp, 1989–2002.
The Nissan RB26DETT is oversquare — the 3.3858" bore exceeds the 2.9016" stroke by 16.7% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 2.9016" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 8,250 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 26.1 ci (428 cc).
8.5:1 on aluminum heads is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
It is one of 10 engines in the RB family, sitting between the 121.8 ci and 182.7 ci members. 14 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 280 hp across 1989–2002.
| Displacement | 156.7 ci / 2.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.3858" |
| Stroke | 2.9016" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | I6 |
| Compression ratio | 8.5:1 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.167 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Firing order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Advertised HP | 280 hp |
| Years | 1989–2002 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.167 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 2,902 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 26.1 ci |
| Static compression | 8.5:1 — low by modern standards, generally happy on regular pump fuel |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
| 1990 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
| 1991 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
| 1992 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
| 1993 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
| 1994 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
| 1995 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
| 1996 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
| 1997 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
| 1998 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
| 1999 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
| 2000 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
| 2001 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
| 2002 | 280 hp | RB26DETT |
1 factory vehicle, 1989–2002. Each year opens that model's engine table.