Nissan · FJ Performance Four
Nissan FJ20ET
The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-valve DOHC engine behind the R30 Skyline RS Turbo.
121.4
Cubic inches
The FJ20ET returned serious twin-cam performance to Skyline before the RB era and became one of Nissan's most technically ambitious early turbo fours.
Displacement
121.4 ci
Bore
3.504"
Stroke
3.15"
Years
1983–1986
Key Takeaway
The FJ20ET combined a heavy cast-iron block with an aluminum four-valve DOHC head, turbocharging, and electronic fuel injection. Its robust bottom end and advanced cylinder head made it unusually sophisticated for an early-1980s Japanese turbo four.
Technical Specifications
- Horsepower
- 190 PS initially; 205 PS with factory intercooler
- Torque
- 225 Nm initially; 245 Nm intercooled
- Architecture
- DOHC inline four
- Block
- Cast iron
- Cylinder heads
- Aluminum
- Valvetrain
- DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
- Aspiration
- Turbocharged
- Fuel delivery
- Electronic fuel injection
The FJ20ET combined a heavy cast-iron block with an aluminum four-valve DOHC head, turbocharging, and electronic fuel injection. Its robust bottom end and advanced cylinder head made it unusually sophisticated for an early-1980s Japanese turbo four.
Internal Specifications
Variant-specific values are labeled. Engine families that span multiple years or RPOs can have different heads, cams, induction and rotating parts, so the exact code/year always takes priority.
Notable Applications
Strengths
- Very strong iron block
- Four-valve DOHC head
- Excellent period turbo performance
Weaknesses / Watch-outs
- Rare and expensive parts
- Heavy for a four-cylinder
- Older turbo/EFI hardware requires careful restoration
Common Upgrades
- Modern turbocharger
- Standalone ECU
- Improved intercooling
Racing History & Legacy
The FJ20ET became a cult engine because of its strong block, advanced head, and role as one of Nissan’s most important pre-RB turbo performance engines.
References & Image Credit
Engine image: Ypy31 · Public domain · source
Engineering Notes Worth Knowing
2.0 L / 121.4 cu in with 3.504 x 3.15-inch bore and stroke.
Cast-iron block with aluminum DOHC four-valve cylinder head.
Turbocharged and electronically fuel injected.
Factory output progressed from about 190 PS to 205 PS in intercooled form.
History · context · related reading
The Story Behind Nissan FJ20ET
Before the RB and SR engines became Nissan performance icons, the FJ20ET was already proving that Nissan could build a serious turbocharged twin-cam four. In the Skyline RS and RS-X, it represented a major technical leap.
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