Information

Manufacturers

New Reduced price! View larger

ACL trimetal connecting rod bearings Nissan RB20DE RB20DET

New product

Set of 12 trimetal connecting rod half-bearings for Nissan inline six RB20DE and RB20DET.

  • Brand and treatment: ACL Race
  • Compatibility: Skyline R31, R32, R34, Laurel, Cefiro
  • Engine codes: RB20DE, RB20DET
  • Available sizes: standard to +0.25 mm, increased-clearance version (HX)

More details

80,26 € tax incl.

-5%

84,48 € tax incl.

ORDER TODAY, WE SHIP IN 5 - 15 DAYS

  • The Nissan RB20DE and RB20DET six-cylinder engines

    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.

    Trimetal connecting rod bearings

    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.

    Technical specifications

    Fitment dimensions common to all references
    ACL bearings
    Crankpin Ø 44.956 / 44.974 mm
    Housing bore Ø 48.000 / 48.013 mm
    Width 17 mm
    ReferenceBrand and treatmentSizeWall thickness (mm)
    6B2630H-STDACL Race - UntreatedStandard1.502
    6B2630HX-STDACL Race - UntreatedStd, increased clearance (HX)1.489
    6B2630H-.025ACL Race - Untreated+0.0251.515
    6B2630H-.25ACL Race - Untreated+0.251.627

    Running clearance

    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 / gradeWhen to choose itACL Race Series
    Standard (STD)Standard journal, not reground0.049 to 0.058 mm
    Increased clearance (HX)Wider clearance: high oil flow, high rpm0.074 to 0.083 mm
    +0.025 mmPolished journal0.049 to 0.058 mm
    +0.25 mmJournal reground to 0.25 mm0.049 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.

    Plastigauge

    Order the Plastigauge →

    Technical guide

    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.

    The brand

    ACL Bearing CompanyACL 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.

    Vehicle compatibility

    This connecting rod bearing set fits the RB20DE and RB20DET six-cylinder engines of the following Nissan models:

    BrandModel (chassis)Engine codePowerYears
    NISSANCEFIRO I Saloon (A31) 2.0 (A31)RB20DE155 hp1988–1994
    NISSANCEFIRO I Saloon (A31) 2.0 (LA31, LCA31) / 2.0 Autech (CA31)RB20DET205–224 hp1988–1994
    NISSANLAUREL (C34) 2.0RB20DE155 hp1990–1993
    NISSANLAUREL (C34) 2.0 TurboRB20DET205 hp1990–1993
    NISSANLAUREL (C35) 2.0 i (HC35)RB20DE156 hp1997–2001
    NISSANSKYLINE Coupé (R31) 2.0RB20DE158 hp1985–1990
    NISSANSKYLINE Coupé (R31) 2.0 TurboRB20DET218 hp1985–1990
    NISSANSKYLINE (R31) 2.0RB20DET208 hp1987–1990
    NISSANSKYLINE (R32) 2.0 (HR32) / 2.0 4x4RB20DE155 hp1989–1993
    NISSANSKYLINE (R32) 2.0 Turbo (HCR32) / 2.0 Turbo 4x4 (HNR32) / 2.0RB20DET215–218 hp1989–1993
    NISSANSKYLINE Coupé (R32) 2.0 (HCR32) / 2.0 4x4RB20DE155–158 hp1989–1993
    NISSANSKYLINE Coupé (R32) 2.0 Turbo (HCR32) / 2.0 Turbo 4x4 (HNR32) / 2.0 (HCR32) / 2.0 AWD (HNR32)RB20DET208–218 hp1989–1993
    NISSANSKYLINE (R34) 2.0 (HR34)RB20DE155 hp1998–2000
    NISSANSKYLINE Coupé (R34) 2.0 (HR34)RB20DE155 hp1998–2000