2JZ-GTE and RB26DETT — if you are into JDM cars and tuning, there is almost no chance you haven’t heard of these two Japanese masterpieces, but which mill actually comes out on top?
Interestingly, and contrary to common opinion, the 2JZ-GTE and RB26DETT didn’t become straight-up icons of the 90s tuning scene because of their sheer power outputs; although a quick glance at their specs sheets could suggest otherwise. Of course, don’t get me wrong. These are powerful engines indeed, but other manufacturers also offered similarly powerful ponies at the time. So, what made these two so famous then? To answer this question, we’ll have to dig a little deeper and look past the raw numbers.
Let’s compare them head-to-head and see how they stack up against each other.
Legendary Godzilla
The story of the RB26 engine starts back in the 80s when Nissan was still very much into motorsports. The then-current R31 Skyline was their most successful vehicle in racing, already achieving several wins. Still, being just “good” is never enough for a car to truly make a name for itself in motorsports. Instead, it has to be better than anything else out there, which was what Nissan was hoping to achieve with the next generation of its racing car.
Revealed in 1989 under the R32 designation, the new Skyline GTR featured several decisive upgrades, making it even more competitive than ever. A four-wheel steering system ensured better maneuverability, while a sporty four-wheel-drive setup provided enough grip in all conditions. Thanks to these high-tech tweaks, the chassis could cope with all the extra power from the new engine, designed and built specifically for this purpose.
Download your Nissan Skyline owners manual here!
The new engine was based on the existing RB-series, with whom it shared the basic layout and configuration. However, this is where all similarities end. Indeed, the newly-developed engine had all sorts of performance upgrades, including a forged steel crankshaft and I-beam-shaped connecting rods. Internal components like these were necessary to handle the extra boost coming from the pair of turbochargers parallelly-mounted to the side of the engine. Additionally, a high flow cylinder head and a set of race-tuned individual throttle bodies ensured sharp responsiveness at higher revs. As a result, the new RB26 was now a real racing engine, capable of producing 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.
With such an excellent engine and a matching chassis to pair it with, the new Nissan Skyline GT-R quickly became the king of the racetrack. Throughout its three generations, including the R33 and R34 variants, it dominated all sorts of racing series and regularly set Nürburgring lap records. Because of its monstrous performance, the Skyline was nicknamed Godzilla, a moniker also used for its engine.
Tough Rival from Toyota City
As one might expect, the Skyline’s unstoppable success quickly caught the attention of rivaling car manufacturers. It was especially true for Toyota, whose sporty Supra was already a well-established player in the segment. And although a pretty good car, it couldn’t match Nissan’s engineering marvel, urging Toyota to develop a more competitive engine for its upcoming 4th-gen Supra.
The starting point for the new 2JZ-GTE, which later became one of the most legendary engine codes in the automotive industry, was the long-lasting and well-proven JZ engine series. For this purpose, the straight-six block was enlarged to 3 liters and received a pair of turbochargers. However, unlike Nissan’s setup, where each of two turbos feeds three cylinders, Toyota chose to go for a sequential arrangement. Here, we have a smaller turbocharger spinning at lower rpm and a bigger one spooling up at higher speeds, eliminating (or at least significantly reducing) that dreaded turbo-lag, ensuring immediate torque and a constant boost surge throughout the entire range.
Download your 2JZ-GTE repair manual here!
Despite the different displacement and forced induction system, the Supra’s new engine produced the same 280 horsepower as its rival from Nissan. Still, with 320 pound-feet of torque on tap, the 2JZ was a much smoother engine to drive, especially at low speeds. There was also a version for the US market, producing 320 horsepower, thanks to larger fuel injectors and modified turbochargers. It is also worth mentioning that it shares the block and most of its internal parts with more mundane 3.0-liter engines found in many Toyota sedans.
The main advantage of the Toyota engine is that it was built like a tank. Notably, the cast iron engine block is perhaps the strongest in the industry, in part due to the closed-deck design and incredibly well-built forged-steel crankshaft. Put simply, Toyota clearly developed the engine with higher horsepower numbers in mind, as the 4th-gen Supra was designed to also compete with the German and Italian sports cars of the era. As a result, tuning it to 500 hp is as easy as a quick ECU reflash — the sky is the limit here!
Why Do Both Engines Have the Same Power Output?
As mentioned above, both engines produce the same amount of horsepower — and for a good reason. During the 80s and 90s, constant improvements and introductions of new technologies made the engines increasingly powerful. As a result, cars were becoming much faster with each new model, making them potentially dangerous in the hands of inexperienced drivers. To stop this trend from escalating, all Japanese car manufacturers agreed to limit the power for their new vehicles to 280 hp, which became known as the “Gentleman’s Agreement”. Despite being voluntary and non-binding, everybody stuck to this understanding for years. Well, at least they did on paper.
There are well-known cases where a JDM car, rated at the agreed maximum power output, would produce considerably more in the real world. For instance, the Nissan Skyline GT-R’s RB26 engine would often score well over 320 hp when dyno tested. Predictably, Toyota wasn’t completely sincere with their Supra either, as its engine also produced much more power than claimed. Still, in most cases, the official performance specifications don’t really matter here since most 2JZ and RB26 were frequently tuned afterward — who would keep a Supra or Skyline stock anyway, right?
Main Differences Between 2JZGTE and RB26DETT
Based on specifications and performance figures alone, these engines seem almost identical — both are straight-six units with twin turbochargers producing similar power outputs. Still, a closer look would quickly reveal several crucial differences.
The RB26 was designed and built from the ground up with motorsport applications in mind. So much that it ultimately defines its character, with performance peaking at higher rpm, which is usual for racing engines. Additionally, it can operate under high loads for extremely long periods without any risk of damage. On the downside, it doesn’t have the most grunt at low rpm, as it was never intended to be used in that range — racing cars simply never go back in the lower end of the band once they’re launched.
Interestingly, low rpm torque is where the Toyota 2JZ has a huge advantage. With a much flatter and more evenly distributed torque curve, it pulls a lot harder at low rpm, making it faster when accelerating from a standstill and easier to drive in everyday stop-and-go traffic. The 2JZ-GTE is also more reliable when tuned to the teeth, as the sturdier engine block can withstand higher boost pressures. The differences are pretty small, though, as both engines can produce some mind-blowing horsepower numbers when tuned right.
Another noticeable difference between these two engines is the exhaust note, defined by their different capacities and turbocharger configurations. Nissan’s engine produces a sharp and metallic sound, thanks to the smaller displacement and high-revving nature. On the other hand, the 2JZ is bigger and, as such, creates a more muscular, much deeper growl.
(Both are music to the ears, though.)
Tuning and Performance Upgrades
Despite the impressive performance both the 2JZ-GTE and RB26DETT offered even in stock form, tuning and power upgrades are what these engines are so famous for. Indeed, their robust cast-iron blocks are solid enough to cope with significant boost increases. As a result, it’s possible to double the power output just by installing bigger turbos and tweaking the fuel injection system.
With carefully picked mods, proper skills, and a deep enough wallet, it is even possible to reach that magical 1,000 horsepower mark — that’s not something most engines could claim. Furthermore, owners can choose from many well-proven upgrade packages and stage kits providing predictable power gains while also ensuring the engine remains reliable in the long run.
Modern-Day Alternatives
Thanks to their upsides, both the RB26DETT and 2JZ-GTE quickly became a popular choice for tuners and custom project cars. But because they are becoming quite rare nowadays, finding one is not an easy job. For a start, cars that used these engines were not made in large numbers. Nissan’s engine was only available in purpose-made Skyline GT-R, and most 2JZ’s were under Supra hoods — two incredibly sought-after models in the JDM community.
During the JDM craze, a lot of Supras and Skylines were imported to the US, often bought by inexperienced drivers who simply couldn’t handle such beasts. By now, several of them and their drivetrains have been damaged beyond repair during their lifetimes. Even worse, what was left of those was already salvaged and already found a new home inside various project cars. And unfortunately, both died without an heir, so to say, as they had no direct successors.
There is, however, a third way for those of you looking for a turbocharged straight-six engine with loads of tunning potential. Although most hardcore JDM fans would never admit it, BMW offers two alternatives to the 2JZ engine. Most things about Toyota’s masterpiece are also true for the N55 and its more recent B58 variant.
Even when stock, these engines are strong, while modified ones can achieve extraordinary performance figures. As a matter of fact, the current MK5 (BMW) Supra uses a variant of the B58 engine. Either of these BMW engines could be considered as modern-day 2JZs. Ultimately, though, due to the BMW’s aluminum block vs. Toyota’s cast-iron block, the 2JZ-GTE would have the edge if you want to break the 1,000-hp barrier.
But of course, if you are a JDM fan like me, we both know you don’t want that German thing in your car anyway — it might be worth looking elsewhere.
Last Words
Nissan’s RB26DETT and Toyota’s 2JZ-GTE are exceptional engines that share many similarities, but they are also different enough to be unique. In my eyes, the RB26DETT is the more enjoyable engine for driving on a track, especially if you intend to do it sideways. It revs faster, has a higher redline, and produces an eargasmic exhaust note. It might not have the tuning potential of its closest rival, but since when is 800 hp not enough?
Meanwhile, the 2JZ-GTE is still the engine to beat for high-boost applications. The cast-iron block is no joke — it can withstand some huge turbochargers. At that point, though, you’d lose the everyday drivability, as one big turbo is a recipe for quite a lot of lag. However, with an ECU update and some minor modifications to the internals, you can have a lag-free 600 hp machine that you can enjoy every day.
But, seriously, no matter which engine you choose to go for, they’ll both put a big smile on your face — and of course, make anyone knowing their salt about cars around you completely jealous!
Download your Nissan owners manual here!
