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3.0L 12v - RB30 with RB25DET cylinder head
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3.0L 12v - RB30 with RB25DET cylinder head
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Set of 6 forged 4340-steel connecting rods for Nissan RB30 3.0 12v (Skyline R31, Holden VL).
The RB30 is the 3.0 L single-cam, 12-valve inline-six of Nissan's RB family. Offered as the naturally aspirated RB30E (about 155 to 159 hp) and the turbo RB30ET (up to 204 hp), it powered the Nissan Skyline R31, the Nissan Patrol and the Holden VL Commodore, built under licence in Australia. Its tall block and long-stroke crankshaft (85 mm) make it the sought-after base for stroker builds and the famous RB30/26 conversions, which mate the RB30 bottom end to a 24-valve turbo head. As soon as boost pressure rises, the factory rods become the weak link: replacing them with forged rods is the first safeguard of a lasting build.
Drop-forged from 4340 chrome-molybdenum steel, these Manley rods withstand bending and fatigue loads well beyond the factory sintered rods. They suit the open road as much as motorsport: circuit, time attack, drift, drag, rally and hillclimb. Depending on the chosen profile, they support builds from Stage 2 to Stage 4 and beyond, on an RB30 or a hard-boosted RB30/26 conversion. Supplied as a complete set of 6, they are weight-matched to preserve the balance of the rotating assembly and reliability at high rpm.
| Reference | Brand | Profile | Bolts | Pin Ø (mm) | Small end width (mm) | Big end Ø (mm) | Big end width (mm) | Center-to-center (mm) | Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14018-6 | Manley | H | ARP 8740-7/16"-37mm | 21 | 53 | 21,7 | 152,27 | 610 | |
| 14428-6 | Manley | I-HD | ARP 2000-7/16"-37mm | 21 | 53 | 21,7 | 152,27 | 630 | |
| 14018R-6 | Manley | H | ARP 2000-7/16"-37mm | 21 | 53 | 21,7 | 152,27 | 610 |
On these rods, tightening is controlled by bolt stretch, measured with a gauge, rather than by torque. The values below are indicative: always follow the bolt manufacturer's instructions.
| Rod | Bolts | Tightening torque (N·m) | Recommended stretch (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manley H (14018-6) | ARP 8740 | 128,8 | 0,127 – 0,137 |
| Manley I-HD (14428-6) | ARP 2000 | 108,5 | 0,127 – 0,152 |
| Manley H (14018R-6) | ARP 2000 | 122 | 0,127 – 0,152 |
4340 is a low-alloy nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel that has become the benchmark material for high-performance connecting rods. Shaped by forging, then quenched and tempered, it keeps a continuous grain flow that gives it high tensile strength and, above all, excellent fatigue life. Compared with a mass-produced sintered rod optimised for cost, a forged 4340 rod gains about +19% yield strength, +8% tensile strength and +19 to +37% in fatigue, a decisive margin against the overpressure and rpm surges of a tuned engine.
This reference comes in two Manley profiles: the H, built for resistance to high torque, and the reinforced I (I-HD), lighter at equal stiffness. The choice depends on the power target and the type of use; the specification table gives the center-to-center length, big-end diameter and weight of each reference.
 | I profile (I-HD): reinforced I-beam (Manley Pro Series I-Beam Turbo Tuff), the best weight / stiffness compromise for most turbo builds. |
 | H profile: H-beam, valued for its robustness and resistance to high torque, notably on long-stroke RB30 blocks and stroker conversions. |
 | This reference uses large-diameter 7/16" ARP bolts, sized for the high loads of a boosted RB30. Two grades are offered. ARP 8740: the proven, versatile heat-treated chrome-molybdenum steel, ARP's long-standing reference fitted to most performance kits. ARP 2000: a higher-grade alloy offering a tensile strength of about 220,000 psi (1,517 MPa) and an increased safety margin for the most demanding builds. Whatever the grade, tightening is set by bolt stretch (see below), not by torque alone. |
Discover the ARP stretch gauge
This reference is fitted exclusively with Manley Performance rods (USA), a renowned American maker of forged competition connecting rods. Manley offers here the H and I-HD profiles, weight-matched, with ARP 8740 or ARP 2000 bolts.
 Manley |
 | 1) Small end 2) Small-end diameter 3) Rod beam 4) Rod bolt 5) Big end 6) Rod nut / bolt 7) Rod cap 8) Big-end diameter 9) Center-to-center |
Rods compatible with the following Nissan RB30 engines (21 mm piston pin) and the licence-built Holden VL:
| Brand | Model (chassis) | Engine code | Power | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan | Skyline (R31) | RB30E | 117 kW (159 ch) | 1986 – 1990 |
| Nissan | Patrol GR (Y60) | RB30S | 100 kW (136 ch) | 1990 – 1997 |
| Holden | Commodore (VL) | RB30E | 114 kW (155 ch) | 1986 – 1988 |
| Holden | Commodore (VL) Turbo | RB30ET | 150 kW (204 ch) | 1986 – 1988 |
| Holden | Calais (VL) | RB30E / RB30ET | 114 – 150 kW (155 – 204 ch) | 1986 – 1988 |
| Holden | Berlina (VL) | RB30E / RB30ET | 114 – 150 kW (155 – 204 ch) | 1986 – 1988 |
OEM reference: 1210061S00 (set of 6 rods).
A set of forged rods costs far less than an engine failure: on a boosted RB30, an original rod that lets go takes out the block, the crankshaft and often the head. By fitting weight-matched forged rods from the start, you make your build reliable for the long term and avoid a full rebuild, for a negligible extra cost compared with the price of a new engine.
