Legendary Motor Matchup #2
Every Tuesday for 10 weeks, starting March 3, 2020, we will present one head-to-head challenge. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to cast your vote on each matchup. The results will tally on the Top 10 Legendary Motors page every week.
VotING CLOSED
SUNDAY, March 15
Nissan RB26DETT
The 2.6-litre RB26DETT inline-six engine was manufactured by Nissan, powering the mighty R32, R33, and R34 chassis Skyline GT-Rs into the performance history books between 1989 and 2002.
Made from cast iron and cylinder heads made from aluminum alloy with DOHC 4 valves per cylinder setup and of course, its myth-making twin-turbo system limited to 10 psi, the first draft of this engine was rated by Nissan at around 276 bhp at 6,800 rpm and 260 lb/ft of torque at 4,400 rpm.
By the end of production, power levels had gone up to around 276 bhp and 289 lb/ft of torque, not only because of developments and modifications to the engine but also because of the "gentlemen's agreement" made between Japanese automakers to limit the advertised horsepower of any vehicle to 276 bhp.
While the published figures from Nissan were as quoted above, it's a known fact among enthusiasts that the car actually had a factory power output of closer to 325.
The RB26, as it is widely known, became very popular for its crazy modifications because its out of the box strength and power, thanks to its iron block and forged internals, making it one of the most modification-friendly platforms for tuners.
Although its power output is less than that of a Nissan Maxima today, combined with cutting edge technology and balanced handling design, the RB26 powered GT-R, or “Godzilla” as it has been branded, has earned its top performance status amongst all Japanese-made automobiles, making it a sensational legend in its own right.
Toyota 2JZ-GTE
The 2JZ-GTE is an inline-layout, six-cylinder, belt-driven, dual overhead camshaft, air-intercooled, twin-turbocharged, cast-iron block, aluminum cylinder-headed engine, designed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation that was produced from 1991 until 2002.
The development and evolution of the engine was a response to Nissan's successful and powerful RB26DETT that powered the mighty GT-R.
It quickly became Toyota's flagship performance engine and powered the legendary 4th generation Toyota Supra, produced from 1993 to 1998 and capturing the hearts of Generation Xers and millennials, as well as old school fans who grew up worshiping the car.
Unlike the RB26-powered "Godzilla," Toyota did ship the Supra across the pacific to North American and European markets. Although the Japanese automakers’ agreement output maximum of 276 bhp in Japan, for North American and European markets, it was increased to 321 bhp at 5600 rpm.
Serious horsepower 2JZ powerplants can make well over 1,000 wheel horsepower, where the world’s fastest Supra did a six-second quarter-mile run at 240 mph while still sporting the classic Supra '2JZ' straight-six engine, presumably packing a turbocharger the size of Neptune!
The 2JZ Supra was a performance icon right out of the box.
It made legendary status when Vin Diesel and Paul Walker lit the fuse on the Fast and Furious franchise, and did it right with the most famous, highly modified, decked out orange Supra on the big screen, making it one of the most recognizable Supras of all time!