Perfect for repair or as a first step in tuning
The brakes are important to bring out the high performance of the R35 NISSAN GT-R. WinmaX, which also competes in motorsports, has developed a new product for the R35. These are brake rotors with a unique slit shape and brake pads whose friction material has been tuned to suit the R35’s characteristics. What is the focus that has gone into the completely new brake rotors?
Adapted for the R35 using know-how gained from racing
Winmax is a brake manufacturer that offers a wide range of brake products, from street-use to motorsport-specific products. New brake rotors and brake pads for the R35 GT-R have been added to the company’s line-up.
The first thing to note is the brake rotors. The front brake rotors are full-scale, with the bell housing also specially designed. The know-how gained from racing has also been put into the design, with attention to detail put into each part. The rear uses the stock bell housing.
The R35’s high power output and heavyweight put a heavy burden on the brakes. Heat generation in particular has a major impact on braking power, so countermeasures are important. The new Winmax rotors have an indentation on the back side of the bell housing to improve heat dissipation and prevent a reduction in braking power.
Additionally, the bobbin that joins the bell housing to the rotor has been specially prepared for the new rotor. The bobbin receives the torque generated during braking, which also places a heavy burden on it. Therefore, when the time comes to replace the rotor, it is safer to replace it instead of reusing it. Replacing them ensures safe and reliable braking power.
The bellhousing is also compatible with both 12 mm and 14 mm hub bolts. The standard car has a 12 mm hub bolt and the Nismo has a 14 mm hub bolt, and many users have changed to a 14 mm hub bolt for the Nismo to drive safely on the circuit. Therefore, Winmax has provided holes for both 12 mm and 14 mm hubbolts to accommodate both. Even if the hub bolts are changed to 14 mm, it would be nice to be able to use them as they are.
The brake rotors themselves were jointly developed with Nishioka Malleable Kogyo, a long-established manufacturer in Mie Prefecture. It features a unique vane shape and sickle slit, which contributes to improved braking power.
The rotors are the same dimensions as the late genuine ones and the pad characteristics are also for the R35
The rotor size is Φ390 at the front and Φ380 at the rear, which is the same size as the stock (a spacer is required at the front when installed on the early model). After replacement, they create an atmosphere of high braking power, perhaps due to the visual effect of the slit shape.
The brake pads to be fitted at the same time have been specially formulated for the R35 GT-R. The pads have improved heat resistance and initial braking power to ensure the heavy R35 is stopped without fail. The pads fitted this time are made of street-use abrasive material, and our first impression after installing them on a 2007 early model GT-R Magazine staff car and using them in the city and on the highway is that the pads and rotors provide stress-free braking control.
When you want to step on the brake just a little bit in traffic, you can adjust the speed quickly and easily, rather than having to start up the braking force with a clunk. This is important when driving in urban areas where the average speed is low, as a little thing like this can make a difference in the level of fatigue. The brake pads need to be changed to suit both the street and the circuit, but the rotors themselves remain the same and have the performance to cope with both.
The fact that they are manufactured in Japan gives users a sense of security, which is also a big advantage. The two-piece set costs 159,500 yen for the front and 126,500 yen for the rear (both including consumption tax). Brake pads are 27,500 yen for the front and 22,000 yen for the rear (both including consumption tax). R35 users who are worried that their stock rotors and pads are due for replacement should consider these. The new Winmax brake rotors and brake pads are recommended as the first step in customizing your R35, as they provide reliable braking while keeping your budget in check.
translated by DeepL