Field Report: What's Wrong With A Billet Block?

Sick of cracked OEM cast blocks but don't have the use case for a billet alternative? Platinum Racing Products has something for you and your RB26-powered platform in the works.

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For years there has been a massive options gap between those who want to keep the likes a RB26 stock and those who race Pro Mod level drag cars producing 2000++ horsepower. Does an aftermarket ductile iron cast block bridge the gap for those in the middle who want to produce some serious power without the cost or complications of a billet block on a Nissan RB26-powered car that sees both street and track/race use?

Herman Urriola of @prp-platinumracingproducts7915 thinks so, and we'd agree.

In this interview, Herman and Andre run through some of the main flaws the Nissan and Nissan Heritage factory cast RB26 blocks have by discussing how PRP's ductile iron replacement via Crest CNC has addressed them. This includes superior material in the form of ductile iron giving greater rigidity, a 4 bolt main, 8mm bore thickness instead of the 3.5mm low that some Nissan RB26 blocks have, 14mm deck, improved serviceability and capacity options via sleeves, better oiling and head stud/main stud options to suit a range of built levels & demands.

Also touched on is why horsepower won't kill your OEM cast block, but rather cylinder pressure does (a topic we've discussed many times before) and why a billet aluminium alloy block simply doesn't suit 99% of those wanting to drive their car on the street.

We look forward to seeing this go into production, and Herman also gives some insight into what that process looks like in this day and age for aftermarket manufacturing companies like PRP.

Executed well, this aftermarket RB26 casting can handle high cylinder pressure. However, for applications where it becomes too heavy, a billet block will be the alternative so it's certainly not the end of them. Like many parts, it's simply not a matter of 'this vs that,' but rather finding the right fit for the different use cases and accepting the tradeoffs.

PS: While we just focused on the block, PRP is also working on an RB26 cylinder head.