2.0 24V - RB20DE/DET
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2.0 24V - RB20DE/DET
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Set of 12 trimetal connecting rod half-bearings for Nissan inline six RB20DE and RB20DET.
The RB20DE is Nissan's 2-litre inline six with double overhead camshafts and 24 valves; the RB20DET is its turbocharged version. They are found in the Skyline R31, R32 and R34, the Laurel and the Cefiro, among others. ACL lists the same bearing set for both engines: a single set covers the family.
From the factory, this engine is fitted with standard production connecting rod bearings, sized for the loads of the original engine: as soon as power, engine speed or boost pressure increase, they reach their limits.
A trimetal bearing stacks three layers: a steel back, a copper-lead intermediate layer with high load capacity and an anti-friction running surface that protects the journal. The complete set contains 12 half shells, six pairs for a six-cylinder engine.
The original bearing relies on an aluminium alloy over a steel back, intended for low to medium loads, whereas trimetal is designed for high, sustained loads: an aluminium bi-metal takes around 8,000 psi, a performance trimetal up to 12,000 psi, 50% more. Hence better resistance and better durability on turbocharged, supercharged and high-revving engines.
| ACL bearings Crankpin Ø 44.956 / 44.974 mm Housing bore Ø 48.000 / 48.013 mm Width 17 mm |
| Reference | Brand and treatment | Size | Wall thickness (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6B2630H-STD | ACL Race - Untreated | Standard | 1.502 |
| 6B2630HX-STD | ACL Race - Untreated | Std, increased clearance (HX) | 1.489 |
| 6B2630H-.025 | ACL Race - Untreated | +0.025 | 1.515 |
| 6B2630H-.25 | ACL Race - Untreated | +0.25 | 1.627 |
The running clearance is the gap between the bearing and the journal where the oil film flows.
In operation, the crankshaft journal does not rub against the bearing: it rides on this oil film, which carries the load. Clearance sets the thickness of this film: too tight, oil flows poorly, temperature rises and the risk of seizure increases; too loose, oil escapes, the film loses load-carrying capacity and oil pressure drops. The right clearance is the balance between adequate lubrication and a well-maintained oil film.
| Size / grade | When to choose it | ACL Race Series |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (STD) | Standard journal, not reground | 0.049 to 0.058 mm |
| Increased clearance (HX) | Wider clearance: high oil flow, high rpm | 0.074 to 0.083 mm |
| +0.025 mm | Polished journal | 0.049 to 0.058 mm |
| +0.25 mm | Journal reground to 0.25 mm | 0.049 to 0.058 mm |
Checking on assembly: lay a calibrated strip (Plastigauge) on the journal, torque the rod cap to spec, then compare the crushed strip against the gauge to read the clearance.

The ACL rod bearings shown here are trimetal bearings, designed for engine building and racing. Compared with an original bearing, they handle far higher loads: they cope with increased power, high rpm or the addition of a turbo or supercharger, where a standard bearing quickly reaches its limit.
![]() | ACL Bearing Company, an Australian manufacturer of high-performance engine bearings since 1949, offers with its Race Series precise trimetal bearings, available in many sizes and proven on built engines worldwide. |
This connecting rod bearing set fits the RB20DE and RB20DET six-cylinder engines of the following Nissan models:
| Brand | Model (chassis) | Engine code | Power | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NISSAN | CEFIRO I Saloon (A31) 2.0 (A31) | RB20DE | 155 hp | 1988–1994 |
| NISSAN | CEFIRO I Saloon (A31) 2.0 (LA31, LCA31) / 2.0 Autech (CA31) | RB20DET | 205–224 hp | 1988–1994 |
| NISSAN | LAUREL (C34) 2.0 | RB20DE | 155 hp | 1990–1993 |
| NISSAN | LAUREL (C34) 2.0 Turbo | RB20DET | 205 hp | 1990–1993 |
| NISSAN | LAUREL (C35) 2.0 i (HC35) | RB20DE | 156 hp | 1997–2001 |
| NISSAN | SKYLINE Coupé (R31) 2.0 | RB20DE | 158 hp | 1985–1990 |
| NISSAN | SKYLINE Coupé (R31) 2.0 Turbo | RB20DET | 218 hp | 1985–1990 |
| NISSAN | SKYLINE (R31) 2.0 | RB20DET | 208 hp | 1987–1990 |
| NISSAN | SKYLINE (R32) 2.0 (HR32) / 2.0 4x4 | RB20DE | 155 hp | 1989–1993 |
| NISSAN | SKYLINE (R32) 2.0 Turbo (HCR32) / 2.0 Turbo 4x4 (HNR32) / 2.0 | RB20DET | 215–218 hp | 1989–1993 |
| NISSAN | SKYLINE Coupé (R32) 2.0 (HCR32) / 2.0 4x4 | RB20DE | 155–158 hp | 1989–1993 |
| NISSAN | SKYLINE Coupé (R32) 2.0 Turbo (HCR32) / 2.0 Turbo 4x4 (HNR32) / 2.0 (HCR32) / 2.0 AWD (HNR32) | RB20DET | 208–218 hp | 1989–1993 |
| NISSAN | SKYLINE (R34) 2.0 (HR34) | RB20DE | 155 hp | 1998–2000 |
| NISSAN | SKYLINE Coupé (R34) 2.0 (HR34) | RB20DE | 155 hp | 1998–2000 |
