BUILDING BLOCKS

More power was an undeniable ingredient in Makenzie’s streetcar recipe, so he started under the hood of the R34. Nissan’s legendary RB26DETT engine features an 86mm cylinder bore combined with a relatively short 73.7mm stroke, making for a high-revving, high-output engine with a displacement of only 2.6 liters. Part of that Ferrari-like scream stems from the RB26’s ability to safely spin up to 10,000 rpm (with the right internals). Rather than risking a build using the stock block, a new Nissan RB26 N1 block was sourced. Nissan strengthened the N1 block by adding braces that stiffen the block over the standard RB26. Makenzie had it delivered to Keegan Engineering to be machined and assembled. Keegan balanced and blueprinted the block with CP Pistons and Manley rods, replacing the stock counterparts in order to handle greater boost pressures, faster engine speeds and higher output.

HEAD CASE

[pullquote]MY HEADGASKET ISSUES WERE RESOLVED. IT WAS A CASE OF A BAD HEAD[/pullquote]The stock cylinder head received a full Supertech valvetrain, including plus-1mm valves for improved volumetric efficiency. In conjunction with HKS 272-degree duration camshafts, the head seemed a good complement to the block for spooling up to 10,000 rpm. However, this did not go as smoothly as planned. Makenzie explained, “I had to pull the engine back out several times due to blown head gaskets, which is, by no means, an easy task. We rechecked everything and then reinstalled the engine again with a fresh head gasket. After blowing several more head gaskets, I decided to get a brand new head from Nissan. With the valvetrain installed and the longblock assembled, my head gasket issues were resolved. It was a case of a bad head.”

TWINS FOR BOOST

As the RB26 draws strength from forced induction, turbocharger selection was next on the list of variables to decide. The question was whether to go with a large single or a larger-than-stock twin setup. Makenzie elected to keep the twin turbochargers, citing quicker transitional boost response time between shifts as the deciding factor. With boost pressure supplied courtesy of a pair of BorgWarner EFR-6258 turbochargers, a Full-Race manifold positions the turbochargers and supplies the turbines with high enthalpy exhaust gasses. BorgWarner rates the EFR-6258 turbochargers at approximately 450 hp each, making them a good match for Makenzie’s target horsepower and build objectives.