If you're building or rebuilding an RB26DETT for performance use, the connecting rod bearings are one of the decisions that affects every single power stroke the engine makes for the rest of its life. Standard production bearings have manufacturing tolerances appropriate for a factory engine assembled in volume. When you're building an engine by hand for specific performance targets, you have the opportunity to do better — and NISMO's con rod bearing set is one of the better opportunities available for the RB26 platform.

The NISMO Con Rod Metal Set (12110-RRR30) covers Skyline GT-R R32, R33, R34 RB26DETT and RB25 applications. The bearing shells are manufactured to NISMO's performance specifications — which means tighter tolerances on shell thickness and crush than standard production parts, and a surface treatment optimised for the oil film conditions in a performance-modified engine.

Why Bearings Matter More Than People Think

Rod bearings determine the oil film thickness between the rod journal and the bearing shell. This film is what prevents metal-to-metal contact between two components moving relative to each other at high speed under enormous loads. If the film breaks down — from excessive clearance, from debris in the oil, from oil pressure loss — the result is bearing failure and typically crank journal damage. The build sequence of a quality RB26 rebuild always includes specifying the right bearings and measuring the clearances before assembly.

NISMO bearings are made to dimensions that allow the builder to set oil clearances precisely, with less variation in shell thickness than production parts. In a performance engine where oil pressure and flow are being managed carefully, predictable clearances are essential to predictable oil film behaviour.

For any RB26 rebuild targeting serious power or longevity under hard use, the NISMO Con Rod Bearing Set at ¥4,560 is an investment that makes mechanical sense at every level of the build. This is where performance is protected.