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| The choices have included DBA iron rotors, AP Racing J-Hook and slotted discs, and AP Racing with STILLEN carbon ceramic systems. |
The Nissan R35 GT-R is fast, heavy and extremely demanding on its brakes. With a driver and fuel, many cars are around 4,000 pounds. Add sticky tires, high speed and repeated braking zones, and the front rotors absorb an enormous amount of energy. The factory Brembo system is capable, but drilled iron rotors can heat check and crack around the holes when used hard.
I originally wrote this guide in 2012 while working at STILLEN. At that time, I was involved with the R35 community as AP Racing, STILLEN and other companies developed alternatives to the costly factory discs. Some of the original product pages and prices are gone, but the technical problem did not disappear. In 2026, R35 owners have more choices than ever.
R35 GT-R Factory Brake Sizes
| Application | Front rotor | Rear rotor | Important notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 to 2011 United States GT-R | Approximately 380 x 34 mm | Approximately 380 x 30 mm | Commonly called the early CBA brake package |
| 2012 and later standard iron brake GT-R | Approximately 390 mm, original discs around 32.6 to 32.8 mm thick | Approximately 380 x 30 mm | Commonly called the DBA front brake package |
| Track Edition and NISMO | Varies by year and market | Varies by year and market | Do not assume standard Premium fitment |
| 2020 and later NISMO carbon ceramic system | Large factory carbon ceramic system | Factory carbon ceramic system | Calipers, discs, pads, studs and controls must be treated as a matched package |
| Aftermarket big brake systems | Often 390, 396, 400 or 410 mm | Often 380, 385 or 400 mm | Fitment depends on the complete kit, not only diameter |
The 2012 update increased front diameter but used a thinner original front disc to control weight. One of the upgrades we worked with was a 390 x 34 mm AP Racing disc with greater thermal capacity. Early 380 mm cars could also be converted to a larger front rotor with the correct bells and caliper spacing, but this is not the same as installing a replacement ring.
Why Factory R35 Rotors Crack
A brake rotor converts vehicle speed into heat. The R35 combines mass, speed and very capable tires, so it can put huge thermal cycles into the discs. Cross drilled holes create stress concentration points. Small surface heat checks are common after hard use, while cracks that connect holes, reach an edge or continue growing are a reason to remove the disc from service.
Rotor life varies wildly. A street car may run for years. A fast driver on a brake intensive circuit may consume factory rotors in only a few events. Brake pad, tire, track, ambient temperature, cooling, driving technique, vehicle power and cooldown practice all change the result.
Read the earlier post showing cracking around factory GT-R drilled rotors. The point is not that every drilled rotor is about to fail. The point is that a track car needs inspection after every event.
Option One: Factory Style Iron Replacement
For a street car, a quality factory size iron rotor is usually the sensible choice. It retains the original caliper position, wheel clearance, brake balance and service approach. The main decisions are whether to buy a complete two piece assembly or replacement rings that reuse the original bells.
Complete Rotor Assemblies
A complete assembly arrives with the iron disc, aluminum bell and mounting hardware assembled or ready to assemble. It costs more than rings alone but avoids reusing an unknown, corroded or damaged bell. This is the safest path when the history of the old hardware is unclear.
Replacement Rings
Replacement rings can reduce cost and waste when the original bells are approved for reuse. They must be measured and inspected. Use new correct hardware and follow the disc supplier’s torque, orientation and assembly instructions. Floating hardware is not generic hardware store material.
 |
| A DBA 5000 Series slotted rotor. Current DBA offerings include 380 and 390 mm R35 applications, but exact part number matters. |
DBA 5000 Series
DBA two piece rotors remain available for R35 applications. Slotted discs avoid the drilled holes that often become visible crack starting points. DBA promotes its ventilation design and offers different face patterns and applications. These can work well for street and light track use when paired with the correct pads and fluid.
Option Two: AP Racing Replacement Discs
AP Racing still lists R35 replacement discs and complete brake systems. The early front replacement kit CP4590-033YNP.CG12 is listed for 2008 to 2011 cars and retains the original mounting bells. Essex currently lists a 390 x 34 mm AP Racing J-Hook two piece front assembly for 2012 and later cars, with an explicit warning that NISMO versions using 14 mm studs require separate verification.
This is important: AP Racing is still in the R35 market, and STILLEN still has an AP Racing focused site. What I cannot confirm is that every old STILLEN part number from 2012 remains stocked exactly as it was then. Contact the current distributor with the VIN and brake configuration.
 |
| AP Racing curved vane rotor with the J-Hook face pattern. |
J-Hook or Slotted?
AP Racing and STILLEN introduced the J-Hook pattern to the general public on the R35 in 2009. The pattern continually presents an edge to the pad and can produce strong initial response. It can also create more audible interaction between pad and disc. A conventional slotted face is often preferred for a street car or for an owner who wants less noise.
Neither face pattern can compensate for insufficient disc mass, poor ventilation, incorrect pads or boiled fluid. Cooling vane design and thermal capacity matter more than appearance.
The 390 x 34 mm Upgrade
The thicker 390 mm AP Racing concept addressed the original 2012 front disc’s relatively thin walls. The old assemblies were identified as NIS3910AJ for early 380 mm cars using the included bell and spacing arrangement, NIS3920AJ for later 390 mm cars, and NIS3930DJ for replacement discs and hardware. Those are historical STILLEN identifiers, so confirm current supersessions before attempting to order them.
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| The 390 x 34 mm AP Racing R35 front rotor upgrade increased thermal capacity over the original later factory disc. |
AP Racing Early R35 Disc Kit AP 390 x 34 at Essex STILLEN AP J-Hook History AP Radi-CAL 410 mm Front Kit
Option Three: Brembo and Factory Takeoff Parts
Factory style Brembo discs and used complete takeoff systems can make sense when restoring a car, replacing damaged calipers or converting another chassis. They also create more ways to buy the wrong parts. A complete 2020 R35 brake set does not automatically bolt onto every earlier R35 without considering studs, offsets, brackets, lines, master cylinder, controls and wheel clearance.
390 mm Brembo Discs and Ferodo Pads Used 2020 R35 Full Brake Set Genuine Caliper Tie Rod and Screw Set NISMO R35 Brake Conversion for BNR34
Option Four: Carbon Ceramic Brakes
Carbon ceramic brakes reduce rotating and unsprung mass and can offer exceptional performance when engineered as a complete system. The old STILLEN and AP Racing CCM-X package used 400 mm discs and was advertised as saving roughly 38 pounds compared with the original iron system. That was a dramatic reduction, but carbon ceramic ownership requires more care than simply installing expensive rotors.
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| The historical STILLEN and AP Racing CCM-X 400 mm carbon ceramic upgrade. |
Carbon ceramic discs can be damaged by impact, mishandling, incompatible pads, excessive oxidation or uncontrolled temperatures. Inspection may involve weight, thickness, surface condition and manufacturer specific limits. A used disc that looks attractive in a photograph may be near its service limit.
AP Racing currently lists factory style R35 CCM systems including a 410 x 36 mm front kit and a 400 x 34 mm rear kit. Custom aftermarket carbon ceramic kits also appear on eBay. Before purchasing any nonfactory kit, demand complete technical information about the disc manufacturer, calipers, piston areas, pad compound, parking brake, ABS compatibility, replacement parts and temperature limits.
AP Racing CCM Front Kit AP Racing CCM Rear Kit Custom R35 Carbon Ceramic Kit
Caliper Spacers, Stud Size and Wheel Clearance
A larger rotor moves the caliper outward. That can require model specific spacers, longer bolts and sometimes different bells. It can also create wheel clearance problems even when the wheel diameter sounds large enough. Barrel shape, spoke profile, caliper position, balancing weights and heat clearance all matter.
A current Torque Solution listing offers 6 mm R35 caliper spacers. That does not mean a 6 mm spacer is correct for every conversion. Use the spacer specified by the rotor system manufacturer and verify bolt engagement and caliper centering.
R35 6 mm Caliper SpacersSee the R35 GT-R wheel and tire fitment guide, but always use the brake kit manufacturer’s current wheel template for a big brake conversion.
Pads, Fluid, Lines and Cooling
Rotors are only one part of the system. A track capable R35 needs a pad compound matched to vehicle weight, tire, driver and temperature range. It also needs fresh high temperature fluid and proper bleeding. Stainless lines can change pedal feel but do not increase thermal capacity. Brake cooling can materially reduce disc and pad temperature when engineered without damaging boots, hoses or wheel clearance.
A very aggressive track pad may be noisy, dusty and ineffective when cold. A quiet street pad may overheat on track. There is no universal best pad.
- Use the same pad shape the rotor and caliper system requires
- Do not mix unknown compounds across an axle
- Follow the pad and disc bedding process
- Flush fluid before it becomes a problem
- Inspect dust boots, piston seals and pad taper
- Do not apply the parking brake after a very hot session
- Use a cooldown lap and avoid sitting stationary with the pedal clamped when possible
How to Inspect R35 Brake Rotors
- Measure thickness at multiple points and compare with the disc minimum
- Inspect both faces, including the hidden inner surface
- Look for cracks around holes, slots, edges and attachment points
- Check for heavy grooving, pad deposits and uneven color
- Inspect bells for cracks, fretting and elongated mounting holes
- Check bobbins or bolts for correct movement and condition
- Measure runout if the pedal pulses or the steering shakes
- Inspect calipers, tie bars, pad pins, lines and bleeders
- For carbon ceramic discs, follow the manufacturer’s weight and condition procedure
Which R35 Brake Upgrade Should You Buy?
| Use | Best starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Normal street driving | Quality factory size iron discs and street pads | Predictable, affordable and easy to service |
| Fast street and occasional track | Slotted two piece iron discs, suitable pads and high temperature fluid | Improved serviceability and better resistance to repeated heat |
| Frequent HPDE | AP Racing or comparable high capacity curved vane discs, track pads, fluid and cooling | Durability and temperature control matter more than appearance |
| Competition | Complete engineered brake system selected around rules, tires and lap time goals | Caliper stiffness, pad volume, cooling and balance become central |
| Weight reduction and collector specification | Proven carbon ceramic system | Major unsprung mass reduction, with high cost and special inspection needs |
| Restoration | Correct Brembo or original specification components | Preserves factory configuration and value |
Related R35 GT-R Brake Articles
- Nissan GT-R Brake Upgrades and Replacement Parts
- 2012 and 2013 Nissan GT-R Upgrade Parts
- 390 x 34 mm AP Racing GT-R Brake Rotors
- AP Racing and STILLEN 390 mm Brake Rotor Details
- 2013 Nissan GT-R Rear Brake Caliper
- R35 GT-R Carbon Ceramic Brake Upgrade History
- R35 GT-R Wheel and Tire Fitment
- Used R35 GT-R Buyers Guide
More R35 Brake Parts on eBay
These listings include additional rotors, calipers, boosters and brake components supplied for comparison. Listings can change or end. Confirm part number and fitment with the manufacturer or seller before purchasing.
Affiliate disclosure: Some eBay links may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability change. Brakes are safety critical, and every listing must be independently verified for the individual car.
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