RB30 Information
This motor was produced because the Holden 202 (3.3 L) powering the Holden Commodore could no longer satisfy emissions requirements, and with all new cars required to run on unleaded petrol by 1986, a quick replacement was needed. Nissan Motor Co. sold the RB30E to Holden for the VL Commodore. The RB30E in the VL suffered from cylinder head cracking due to the radiator being fitted lower in the engine bay, causing air locks in the cylinder head. This was not as severe in R31 Skyline as the radiator is mounted higher. The engine proved to be very reliable apart from this issue. The RB30S was found in some Middle Eastern R31 Skylines and in some Nissan Patrols. The RB30E was found in R31 Skylines and VL Commodores in Australia as well as in South African R31 Skylines (with 126 kW @ 5000 rpm and 260 Nm @ 3500 rpm)
The turbocharged RB30ET (producing 150 kW) was found only in the VL Commodore (available in all models) and
consisted of a lower compression RB30E bottom end, more powerful oil pump, T3
Garrett turbocharger, 250 cc injectors and a different intake manifold.
The motor itself is still popular today (albeit in highly modified form) on the
Australian Drag Racing circuit.
Nissan Special Vehicles Division Australia produced two limited models of
R31 Skylines, the GTS1 and GTS2. These contained slightly more powerful RB30E
engines, containing lumpier cams and better flowing exhausts.
- GTS1 RB30E -
injected single-cam (130 kW @ 5500 rpm, 255 Nm
(26.0 kgf·m) @ 3500 rpm) - special cam profile, special exhaust
- GTS2 RB30E -
injected single-cam (140 kW @ 5600 rpm, 270 N·m
(27.5 kgf·m) @ 4400 rpm) - special cam profile, special exhaust,
piggy back computer, valve porting
Four models of 3.0 L RB30 were produced:
- RB30S - carburetted
single-cam
- RB30E -
fuel-injected single-cam (114 kW @ 5200 rpm, 247 N·m
(25.2 kgf·m) @ 3600 rpm)
- RB30E R31
Skyline - fuel-injected single-cam (117 kW @ 5200 rpm,
252 N·m (25.2 kgf·m) @ 3600 rpm)