My stock front brakes on my 2K SE were vibrating to the point of making stopping a downright uncomfortable/scary proposition, so it was obviously time for some new rotors. Since the stock brakes on my 2K Max were the same diameter as the stockers on my 240SX, I figured it would make sense to upsize the rotors at this time anyway, especially as Nissan saw fit to do just that on the 5.5 Gen Max from the factory. I therefore bought new ATP slotted rotors and a set of used loaded calipers for a 2K2 Maxima, and I did the swap yesterday. As it turned out, with regard to the calipers, only the mounting bracket is different between the 5Gen and 5.5Gen. The caliper itself, along with the brake pads, are for all intents and purposes exactly the same. I ended up just swapping out the rotors and the caliper brackets and re-using my original calipers.

Bottom line:
5.5Gen front rotors are approx. 1" larger diameter then the 5Gen rotors.
By using just the caliper brackets from a 5.5Gen, you can upsize the rotors on your 5Gen with no other changes.
Braking feel is improved, and there's less likelihood of future rotor warping with the increased rotor size.

 

6th gen rotors and 6th gen calipers accomplish the same goal... No idea on diameter differences, though.

 

OEM rotors dont cause the "warping" problem...OEM pads do

 

 

No argument from me on the cause of "warping." For whatever the reason, the smaller rotor systems just seem more susceptible to the problem. Probably the smaller diameter rotor concentrates the heat more, which transfers more heat to the pads, which has bad effects (in terms of longevity) on the whole system. Bigger rotors=more swept area=> better heat dissipation and less pronounced heat cycling.

 

0.1"?

Looks like, what almost 2 more square inches of total area?

 

No, I just abbreviated "approximately." It's approximately one inch bigger diameter, so about 16.5 more square inches of total rotor area.

 

No it's not 1" larger in dia.

2K4 rotors ARE 1" larger than 2k2/3's though.

 

IIRC 00-01 rotors are 10.6," 02-03 are 11", and 04+ are 12.6"

don't quote me on it, though

 

I wonder if i can swap 6th gens to my 4th gen ? Hmm i may need to search.

 

6th gen rotors for me then

 

Just make sure you have the wheels to clear the 6th Gen caliper

 

STOCK 17s will clear them??

 

How about...11" :89-2001, 11.75" :02-03 and 12.6":04+....I don't know where you got your info....

 

I guess that's close enough to say "approximately 1 inch," when an eyeball measurement is all you've got handy.

FWIW, yes, the 6Gen setup is more of an upgrade, but in my case (and in most cases) it would have been significantly more costly as well. In essence, it worked out about the same as if I had just bought new rotors and gotten the calipers and brackets for free. I would not have had the same deal if I had gone with 6Gen stuff. Plus, the info that I've seen indicates that 6Gen brakes may not clear the '00-'01 stock 17" wheels without spacers.

 

02 - 03 = 11.65" x .94"

Congrats on finding a new / cheaper alternative to upgrading brakes.