Next Level Performance
August 6, 2026 • 11 min read
Our Verdict
The Wilwood Narrow Superlite 6R (13.06in) front big brake kit is the best all-around brake upgrade for the Nissan 370Z and Infiniti G37.
A forged 6-piston caliper and 13.06in (332mm) two-piece rotor deliver serious fade resistance while still tucking under most 18in wheels, for $2,155.71. Step up to the 14.00in (355mm) kit for track duty on 19in wheels, or keep your factory Akebono calipers and upgrade to DBA 5000 two-piece rotors ($435.15) for a big-value gain.
Shop Our Top Pick →Choosing a big brake kit for the Nissan 370Z and Infiniti G37 comes down to one thing: keeping the VQ37VHR-powered coupe stopping as hard on lap 20 as it does on lap one. Both cars share the same front spindle, so the same upgrade path fits the 2009-2020 370Z (Z34) and the 2008-2015 G37 (V36). At roughly 3,300 to 3,600 pounds with 330-350 horsepower, these are heavy, fast coupes that punish undersized brakes on track days and canyon runs. In our Tampa, FL shop we build these Nissan and Infiniti brake setups regularly, and below we compare five real upgrades – from a $203.54 race pad to a $2,330.34 six-piston Wilwood big brake kit – with the specs, rotor sizes, and fitment notes you need to pick the right one.
Why the 370Z and G37 Need a Brake Upgrade
The factory brakes on a base 370Z or G37 are the weak link once you add power, sticky tires, or track time. Base cars use a 12.6in (320mm) front rotor with a two-piston sliding caliper, while Sport, Nismo, and Sport-package models get Akebono four-piston fixed calipers over a 14.0in (355mm) front rotor. Even the Akebono setup fades under sustained hard use because the rotors are relatively thin and the pads are tuned for quiet street manners, not heat.
A big brake kit (BBK) attacks the problem three ways: a larger-diameter rotor increases the swept area and leverage, a thicker two-piece rotor adds thermal mass so the system absorbs more heat before fade, and a stiff multi-piston monoblock caliper reduces flex for a firmer pedal. On a 3,400-pound 370Z, moving from a 320mm rotor to a 355mm rotor meaningfully shortens repeat-stop distances and cuts fade – the difference between a confident brake and a long, mushy pedal by the end of a session.
DBA 5000 Series two-piece rotor: high-carbon iron ring on a T6061-T6 aluminum hat.
370Z and G37 Brake Basics: Base vs Sport (Akebono)
Before you buy, confirm which front brake your car left the factory with, because it changes what bolts on. There are two common setups across the Z34 and V36 platforms:
- Base / non-Sport: 12.6in (320mm) front rotor, single-piston sliding caliper. Common on base 370Z, G37 Journey, and G37x.
- Sport / Nismo / Sport Package: Akebono 14.0in (355mm) front and 13.8in (350mm) rear rotors with four-piston front and two-piston rear fixed calipers.
A full six-piston Wilwood BBK replaces the caliper and rotor entirely, so it works on both base and Sport cars. If you already run the Akebono setup and want a budget-friendly gain, a two-piece rotor upgrade like the DBA 5000 Series keeps your calipers and simply drops heat and rotational weight. Rear brakes on both cars are well-sized from the factory, so most owners upgrade the fronts first and add a rear pad-and-rotor kit like the PowerStop Z26 to balance the car.
Best Big Brake Kits and Rotor Upgrades for the 370Z and G37
1. Wilwood Narrow Superlite 6R 14.00in – Maximum Stopping Power
The flagship Wilwood FNSL6R kit pairs a forged six-piston Narrow Superlite caliper with a 14.00in (355mm) two-piece GT-slotted rotor. It is engineered application-specific for the 370Z and G37, retaining full compatibility with the OE master cylinder output and ABS function. This is the setup for track cars and big-power builds – but plan on 19in wheels for clearance.
2. Wilwood Narrow Superlite 6R 13.06in – Best Overall (Fits 18in Wheels)
Our top pick for most owners uses the same forged six-piston caliper but a 13.06in (332mm) two-piece rotor. You give up a little peak thermal capacity versus the 14in setup, but you gain wheel fitment: the 13.06in rotor clears many factory and aftermarket 18in wheels, which is what most base 370Z and G37 coupes roll on. It is the sweet spot of stopping power, weight, and price at $2,155.71.
Key Specifications – Wilwood FNSL6R 13.06in
The Wilwood FNSL6R forged six-piston caliper is the heart of both the 13.06in and 14.00in kits.
3. DBA 5000 Series Two-Piece Rotors – Best Value Upgrade
If your 370Z or G37 already has the Akebono Sport calipers, the DBA 5000 Series is the highest-value move. These are composite two-piece direct-replacement rotors: a high-carbon cast-iron friction ring on aerospace-grade T6061-T6 aluminum hats, joined with National Aerospace Standard (NAS) bolts. You keep the factory four-piston calipers, drop several pounds of unsprung rotating weight per corner, and add DBA Kangaroo Paw ventilation for cooler, more fade-resistant stops – all for $435.15.
StopTech SportStop rotors are e-coated, one-piece direct replacements for the factory discs.
4. StopTech SportStop Slotted and Drilled Rotors – OE-Replacement Upgrade
For a daily-driven 370Z or G37 that just needs better bite and cooler running without changing calipers, StopTech SportStop rotors are a one-piece direct replacement for the factory discs. The cross-drilling and slotting help vent heat and gas, resist pad glaze, and improve wet and dry bite, while the black e-coating fights corrosion. At $226.95 per rotor, budget for a front pair (and matching pads) for a clean OE-plus setup.
5. EBC RP-1 Race Front Brake Pads – Dedicated Track Pad
Fade is often a pad problem, not a rotor problem. The EBC Racing RP-1 is an aramid-fiber race compound that fits the 2009-2020 Nissan 370Z, including Nismo and Heritage Edition trims. It offers high, stable friction at elevated temperatures for track and time-attack use. Pair RP-1 pads with any of the rotor upgrades above for the biggest single improvement in repeat-stop consistency, for $203.54 a set.
PowerStop Z26 Street Warrior rear kit: drilled and slotted rotors with carbon-fiber ceramic pads.
370Z and G37 Brake Upgrade Comparison
| Kit | Type | Front Rotor | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilwood FNSL6R 13.06inTop Pick | 6-piston BBK | 13.06in (332mm) 2-pc | Street & track on 18in wheels | $2,155.71 |
| Wilwood FNSL6R 14.00in | 6-piston BBK | 14.00in (355mm) 2-pc | Track, big power (19in wheels) | $2,330.34 |
| DBA 5000 2-Piece Rotors | Retains OE Akebono | 14.0in (355mm) 2-pc | Value weight save on Sport cars | $442.52 |
| StopTech SportStop Rotor | 1-pc direct replacement | OE-size drilled & slotted | Daily driver, OE-plus bite | $230.80 |
| EBC RP-1 Race Pads | Race pad (front) | Use with OE/BBK rotor | Track fade resistance | $206.99 |
Wilwood FNSL6R Big Brake Kit: Pros and Cons
What We Like
- + Forged 6-piston caliper adds pedal firmness and huge fade resistance
- + Two-piece rotor cuts unsprung and rotating weight versus OE
- + Application-specific kit keeps OE master cylinder and ABS function
- + 13.06in option clears most 18in wheels; 14in for track builds
Things to Consider
- – Front-only kit; add a rear pad/rotor kit to keep brake balance
- – 14.00in rotor generally requires 19in wheels for caliper clearance
How to Choose and Install the Right 370Z/G37 Brakes
Match the upgrade to how you drive. Daily drivers who want stronger, cooler street braking should start with StopTech SportStop rotors and a quality street pad. Weekend canyon and occasional track drivers on Sport-package cars get the best return from DBA 5000 two-piece rotors plus a track-capable pad. Dedicated track cars, forced-induction builds, and anyone chasing the firmest pedal should step up to the Wilwood FNSL6R six-piston BBK – the 13.06in on 18in wheels, or the 14.00in on 19s.
In our Tampa shop, the 13.06in Wilwood kit is the setup we fit most often on street-driven 370Z and G37 coupes, and it is what we recommend when an owner is unsure – it delivers the six-piston upgrade without forcing a wheel change. Installation is a straightforward two-to-three-hour job per axle for an experienced DIYer with a floor jack, jack stands, and metric sockets. Bolt-on BBKs use application-specific brackets, so no fabrication is required, but always bed in new pads and rotors per the manufacturer procedure and bleed the system with fresh high-temp DOT 4 fluid. If you track the car, stainless brake lines and a fluid flush are cheap insurance against a soft pedal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do 370Z and G37 brakes interchange?
Yes. The Nissan 370Z (Z34) and Infiniti G37 (V36) share the same front spindle and hub, so front big brake kits and rotors listed for the 370Z also fit the G37 (and vice versa). The Wilwood FNSL6R kits and DBA, StopTech, and EBC parts in this guide are cross-listed for both cars. Always confirm base versus Sport/Akebono fitment when choosing rotor-only upgrades.
What is the best big brake kit for a 370Z?
The Wilwood Narrow Superlite 6R is the best big brake kit for most 370Z owners. The 13.06in (332mm) version ($2,155.71) uses a forged six-piston caliper and clears most 18in wheels, while the 14.00in (355mm) version ($2,330.34) maximizes thermal capacity for track use on 19in wheels. Both retain OE master cylinder and ABS compatibility.
Will a 370Z big brake kit fit under 18-inch wheels?
The Wilwood FNSL6R 13.06in (332mm) kit fits under many factory and aftermarket 18in wheels on the 370Z and G37, though clearance varies by wheel offset and spoke design. The larger 14.00in (355mm) kit generally requires 19in wheels. If you run 18s, choose the 13.06in kit or a two-piece rotor upgrade that keeps your OE caliper.
How much does a 370Z or G37 brake upgrade cost?
Brake upgrades for the 370Z and G37 range from about $204 to $2,330 at NLP Performance. A set of EBC RP-1 race pads is $203.54, StopTech SportStop rotors are $226.95 each, DBA 5000 two-piece rotors are $435.15, and a full Wilwood six-piston front big brake kit runs $2,155.71 to $2,330.34.
Do I need to upgrade the rear brakes too?
Most 370Z and G37 owners upgrade the front brakes first because the fronts do 60-70% of the stopping work. The factory rear brakes are adequately sized, but adding a rear kit such as the PowerStop Z26 Street Warrior ($275.21) with drilled-and-slotted rotors and carbon-fiber ceramic pads restores brake balance after a big front upgrade and improves rear bite.
What is the difference between a two-piece rotor and a big brake kit?
A two-piece rotor (like the DBA 5000 Series) replaces only the disc, keeping your factory calipers, to cut heat and rotating weight for around $435. A big brake kit (like the Wilwood FNSL6R) replaces both the rotor and the caliper with a larger rotor and a stiffer multi-piston caliper, delivering far more thermal capacity and a firmer pedal, but at roughly five times the price.
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