Motorheads love talking about the engines. In our series on various differences between various engines, let’s discuss RB25 vs RB26 Engines.
Comparison Table: RB25 vs RB26 Engines
Criteria | RB25 | RB26 |
---|---|---|
Engine capacity | RB25 engines have a power capacity of 182-203 PS at 6000 rpm and a torque of 255 N.m at 4000 RPM. | RB26 engines operate at a power capacity of 280 PS at 6,800 rpm and a torque of 353 N.m at 4000 RPM. It is quite an improvement from its earlier models. |
Power capacity | RB25 has a 26 capacity of 25 L engine with a stroke of 71.7mm. | RB26 has a capacity of26 L engine and a stroke of 73.7 mm. |
Year of introduction | RB25 was launched in 1993 and distributed profusely till 1995-1996. | RB26 was launched a bit later in the decade in 1998 and its production and distribution continued profusely till 2002. |
Throttle body | RB25 has a single throttle body. | The improved RB26 has an impressive Six throttle body. |
Turbo power | The earlier versions of RB25 had no turbo power. | In contrast, RB26 has a twin-turbo system. |
Lifters | RB25 has hydraulic lifters. | RB26 has solid lifter valves. |
Cost | RB25 is less costly. | RB26 is more costly because it is an improved model. |

An engine is a machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy. That mechanical energy is then converted into work by thermodynamic processes. If you need any machine to move, it would require an engine to do so. Engines are of several types: electrical engine, physical engine, thermal engine.
Thermal engines again have their own subtypes: internal combustion engine, external combustion engine, and reaction engine. The type of engines used to run vehicles or cars, at least till now, run combustible fuels like petrol or diesel. The type of engine used in vehicles is the internal combustion engine. In these types of engines, work is done within the engines.
The difference between RB25 and RB26 engines lies in their performance and power capacities. RB25 2.5 L engine has a power range of 182-203 PS at 6000 rpm and a torque of 255 N.m at 4000 RPM while RB26 has a capacity of 280 PS at 6,800 rpm and a torque of 353 N.m at 4000 RPM. There are furthermore differences between the two discussed below.
About RB25 Engine
RB25 motors, as engines are sometimes also called, were developed and presented by Nissan in 1993 as an extension of its pined for RB series explicitly for the Nissan Skyline GTST R33. The RB25 motor was an improvement over its RB20DET archetype.
The new and improved RB25 motor included 2.5 L, 2498cc motors and saw various other enhancements absent in the previous series that was carried out in the upcoming years. These engines have their own subtype as well, RB25 has three: RB 25 DE, RB 25 DET, and NEO RB 25 DET. RB25 has a bore of 86.00 mm and a stroke of 71.7 mm.
RB25 has hydraulic lifters and they are cheaper than RB26 engines which were produced later on. The later editions of RB25, more specifically NEO RB25 DET, were specially designed to allow low fuel combustion. Further ignition coils were also introduced in the later version of this Nissan engine for better performance.
About RB26 Engine
The RB26 model is another of Nissan’s development. From the very numerical value associated with it, it becomes clear that RB26 comes later in line after RB25.
As such it is definitely more improved and advanced than RB25. This model was manufactured and distributed between 1998 and 2002. Starting at baseline features, RB26 has a capacity of 280 PS at 6,800 rpm and a torque of 353 N.m at 4000 RPM.
The one significant way in which it differed from its predecessors is the six throttle body in place of the single throttle body of the earlier models. This feature made a significant difference in the performance of this engine. The engine also has a twin-turbo system, the T-26 ceramic turbochargers were incorporated into the already existing turbo system.
There are other striking features about this model that really gave competition to the other models like belt-driven cams, sodium filed exhaust valves and solid lifter valves. Due to all these new exciting and useful features of this model, the RB26 is often called the king among all other Nissan engines.
RB26 is also costlier than the previous series because of all these extra features. It has solid lifters, unlike RB25 models. They were used primarily in the Nissan Skyline GT-R.
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Difference Between RB25 and RB26 Engines
1) Engine capacity
The main criteria of distinction between the two lies in their different power and performance capacities. RB26 was developed later and therefore has more improved capacity. RB25 engines have a power capacity of 182-203 PS at 6000 rpm and a torque of 255 N.m at 4000 RPM.
RB26 engines operate at a power capacity of 280 PS at 6,800 rpm and a torque of 353 N.m at 4000 RPM. It is quite an improvement over its earlier models.
2) Power capacity
Since they are two different models developed at two different phases, they do have different power capacities. As RB26 was developed later with more advanced technology, it has better power capacity.
RB25 has a 26 capacity of 25 L engine with a stroke of 71.7mm whereas RB26 has a capacity of26 L engine and a stroke of 73.7 mm.
3) Year of introduction
RB25 was the earlier version among the two. Naturally, RB26 was the later and better version.
RB25 was launched in 1993 and distributed profusely till 1995-1996.
RB26 was launched a bit later in the decade in 1998 and its production and distribution continued profusely till 2002.
4) Lifters
These two Nissan engines possess two different kinds of lifters. RB25 has hydraulic lifters.
RB26 has solid lifter valves.
5) Cost
Due to all the added features, RB26 is more costly than RB25 and justifiably so.
6) Turbo power
The earlier versions of RB25 had no turbo power. In contrast, RB26 has a twin-turbo system.
7) Throttle body
RB25 has a single throttle body. The improved RB26 has an impressive Six throttle body.
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Naomi is an educator with 2 decades of experience working with children of all ages. She is a keen observer of the magic and importance of Maths in our daily lives. Follow me on Linkedin