What Is 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.

For years there has been a massive options gap between those who want to keep the likes an 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.
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TIME STAMPS:
0:00 - Bucking The Trend
0:18 - RB26 Factory Cast Block Cracking
1:40 - Modified Engine Issue Only?
2:24 - RB26 Horsepower Reliability
3:01 - Horsepower Doesn't Kill Blocks
4:04 - What Is 'Wrong' Billet?
5:22 - Billet On A Street Car
6:12 - Billet Thermal Expansion
6:56 - Aftermarket Cast Block
8:15 - Serviceability
8:47 - Sleeves
9:03 - Deck & Headstud Upgrades
10:37 - Proof Of Concept And Development
12:02 - Finite Element Analysis (FEA)/Simulation
13:15 - Pricing Options
14:38 - Billet Is For A Different Use Case
15:06 - Thanks Herman!
15:55 - Exciting Times!
16:05 - BUILD | TUNE | DRIVE
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LINKS:
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TAGS:
#highperformanceacademy #prp #buildtunedrive #platinumracingproducts #rb26 #cast #billet #engineblock #rb #rfb #block #build #motorsport #enginebuilding101 #auto #carmods #automotive #dragracing #boost #nissan #004

[hpa]

TIME STAMPS:
0:00 - Bucking The Trend
0:18 - RB26 Factory Cast Block Cracking
1:40 - Modified Engine Issue Only?
2:24 - RB26 Horsepower Reliability
3:01 - Horsepower Doesn't Kill Blocks
4:04 - What Is 'Wrong' Billet?
5:22 - Billet On A Street Car
6:12 - Billet Thermal Expansion
6:56 - Aftermarket Cast Block
8:15 - Serviceability
8:47 - Sleeves
9:03 - Deck & Headstud Upgrades
10:37 - Proof Of Concept And Development
12:02 - Finite Element Analysis (FEA)/Simulation
13:15 - Pricing Options
14:38 - Billet Is For A Different Use Case
15:06 - Thanks Herman!
15:55 - Exciting Times!
16:05 - BUILD | TUNE | DRIVE

[PreludeDude]

I love the way Andre knows just how to elaborate and ask the right questions during the interviews. He's one of the best interviewers I've ever witnessed.

[NovaRedHead]

11:57 "we'll let it sing and try and break the thing" 😂 sheer poetry

[lonelydriver]

this dude is making me want to buy a cast block when i have nothing to put it in

[EliteHydronics.]

Herman's passion shows ... these are the guys you want to support ! great work.

[bnny]

I really appreciate the fact that companies are starting to bring back the legends. Albeit at a price tag that is expensive to a lot of people. But gtr owners most of the time have gtr budgets which help. Just like the dart 2j block that's coming out, by the time it lands in Australia your almost on par with a bullet billet block for price. The thing I like about billet is if you happen to window the block you can have it repaired

[slooteh]

Awesome interview! Love when the interviewee can spit the facts & numbers without hesitation. Smart guy right there

[psychosis]

Love that blokes no BS and naming a price 👍 Legend!

[chrisobrien]

Great episode. As I’m a toolmaker who’s been in the casting industry for many years it amazing what’s actually involved in making a casting accurate and consistent is very time consuming. But you learn every day on what works and what doesn’t. Venting, risers to feed during cooling and volume of liquid are the criticals.

[deancrawford]

The long head stud method has been done on cosworth yb's for ages.
Really impressed with Herman's attention to detail on blocks with inherent flaws and improving them where it counts.

I am an advocate of cast iron blocks, yes they may be heavier, but honestly who can afford to keep repairing or replacing billet blocks frequently?

[joshreynolds]

I like it, the man makes perfect sense. 99% of people are not running 2000 hp plus and don’t want to deal with the extras of billet. The hellcat block can make 1800 whp safely thus far and it’s iron. Still pushing the limits of iron. Another interesting thing about iron is that it gets stronger as it seasons from age while being capable of being bored no sleeve needed gaining cubes. Much cheaper to. Sometimes old ideas work the best.

[LoudMouthTim]

Back in the 60s and 70s, Chrysler used a superior high nickel cast iron alloy in their blocks. They were hard, had no cracking problems, and lasted a long time with minimal bore wear.

[georgedreisch]

Extremely logical approach, to deal with the limitations of a legacy engine. I’d expect products like this, will ultimately find application in other markets, driving increased demand for for greater production volume. Idealistically, that should bring down cost.

[jizburg]

This reminds me of the volvo 5 cylinder engines. They have a problem with cracking the aluminium bores.

But they have the same bolt pattern as the diesel 5 cylinder. So you can use the diesel iron block with a petrol head. And that way you can go way upp in power before they break.

[shredthetrack]

It Sounds so good, Hope they will have success with this Project. Great Interview!!!

[mikejovi]

Really looking forward to these coming out, and the heads. These will be in my next build

[dogsmowing]

I like this guy with PRP.
Real clear on his information and understandable.

Great interview.

[gaijins]

The Herminator, great work, hugely needed!
Now get onto the other blocks needing help!

[JuanAntonEgo]

I'm in the market for an R32 GT-R & this is somthing I would be interested in my future Engine Project :RB26 . Can't wait to see the finished product.
If he can get this block as light or or lighter in weight than the nissan OEM. That would be icing on the cake!


Great interview Andre as always!

[jdesigns]

😂Who put that PP in the back ground art🤣