This year Hella Flush teamed up with Formula D to showcase the regions top cars. Named the ‘One of One’ show, Hella Flush aimed at showcasing cars from the Pacific Northwest: Imports to Euros, VIPs to drifters, and bikes to vans. Colin had his S12/26 at the show and it received quite a bit of attention, click here to read the full feature…

I remember long ago when I first got into the import scene that Nissan’s GT-R was king, and an ever allusive dream. I owned a Nissan, so naturally I would look up to the GT-R in this manner. Unlike the Toyota Supra and Honda/Acura NSX that were legal and obtainable in the US, Nissan’s Skyline (R32-R34) was not, especially in GT-R form. Sure there was a time when you could import one, and today it is still possible to obtain a Skyline, however it was never a car that was available from a dealer. Due to this the Nissan Skyline GT-R held the imagination of the import scene, partly due to its reputation as a motor racing legend, and because of its rarity in the US market.

It was a dream many had, to open the bonnet of their car and reveal an RB26DETT in the engine bay, the heart of a GT-R. It was so long ago I don’t remember the specific circumstance it all arose from, but I do remember saying I would be happy to have any RB housed in my engine bay. My journey has taken so many unexpected turns that I feel my car itself has grown and evolved on its own accord. I never thought back then that I would be undergoing the engine swap I have recently completed.

My S12 is an SE model, originally sporting a VG30E V6 engine. I first accomplished an RB20DET swap in 2006, with the primary goal being everything had to be done within stock confines. The other guideline I had was the engine bay had to look stock, as if Nissan themselves had fitted the RB20 from the factory. My next engine swap project would also abide by these simple rules.

There wasn’t any true starting point to my current engine swap. After running around with the RB20DET and upgrading it, I had set my sights on something larger. I was already setup for an RB, and I loved Nissan’s inline 6 design, so the next step was only natural. One of the initial reasons I chose an RB20DET is that I knew if I was not satisfied, there was plenty of aftermarket upgrades, and 2 other engines to choose from in the RB family. I first adopted the idea of an RB25DET swap and was undergoing the necessary research for it. Whilst on holiday in the summer of ’08 though, I visited a Brit I was good friends with and ended up revising my entire plan. He knew of a contact in Canada who was in the import scene, and after talking with the two of them, I decided to upgrade to an RB26DETT. It wasn’t for another year in ’09 I purchased my engine and started to accumlate the necessary parts I wanted and needed for the swap. I approached the owner of U.P. Garage (upgarageusa.com) and after much discussion and estimates in design and prices, it was decided. Project S12/26 was official, and there was no turning back.

As mentioned earlier, an RB20 was housed in my engine bay. It was now a matter of test fitting the difference between the RB26 and the pre-engineered RB20 layout. Playing with different mid-mounts and layouts, the RB20 setup was soon adapted for the RB26. Once fit, it was a matter of creating the engine bay layout to the chosen specifics of the swap. Many adjustments were made along the way and techniques improved. A few of the parts made specifically for this swap have been documented for reproduction to begin a line of aftermarket parts for the S12.

All in all Project S12/26 is an accumulation of the many ideas and concepts I held in my head, coupled with the experience and expertise of U.P. Garage, the swap has become an entity of its own. It stands far beyond anything I have previously attempted or thought possible.

~ Colin Masterson

The RB26DETT in Colin’s S12 200SX is alive! The engine looks amazing sitting in the engine bay, and sounds just as good. All the hard work is starting to pay off, not long now before the car will be on it’s wheels and driving. Here is the first exclusive video of the Godzilla heart running in Colin’s car.

Let us welcome another car to the S12Silvia.com line-up.

Some of us like to upgrade the standard S12 engine for something with a little more spice, something a little newer and with greater aftermarket support. For Colin Masterson the pursuit of the perfect S12 has taken him the past several years. The RB26DETT you see before you is the fourth engine to adorn the bay of his S12, replacing the RB20 and two VG series motors before it. Colin believes the RB26 will be the final iteration of the car, as placing the pinnacle of Nissan motors between the strut towers has been a complicated task to say the least. The interior, brakes and suspension have also been given worthy attention, having evolved over the past few years to meet Colin’s vision.

The RB26 peering out of this S12 surely is intimidating. This car is destined to be a monster. We look forward to seeing it progress into a tough S12, and will post some updates along the way.