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Speed by Design: Purpose-Built Upgrades for Serious Performance Cars

25th Aug 2026

A serious performance car is more than an engine producing big numbers.

The ability to accelerate is only one part of the equation. A well-rounded build also needs dependable braking, controlled power delivery, effective driver interfaces, and components capable of supporting the demands placed on the vehicle.

Speed by Design (SBD) takes a broad approach to performance hardware, with products spanning braking, powertrain components, electronics, interior upgrades, and vehicle-specific accessories.

Its catalog has a particularly strong presence in the Nissan R35 GT-R, while also covering modern BMW M cars, Toyota GR models, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper, and Nissan/Infiniti applications.

At XPH, the Speed by Design lineup gives enthusiasts access to components designed around specific performance platforms rather than generic universal upgrades.

Performance Starts With the Ability to Stop

More power inevitably increases the demands placed on the braking system.

Whether the car is used on the street, driven aggressively, or taken to the track, brake pads and rotors have to convert the vehicle's kinetic energy into heat consistently.

Speed by Design offers multiple brake configurations designed around different vehicles and applications.

The catalog includes:

  • ceramic brake pads
  • semi-metallic brake pads
  • slotted Geomet iron rotors
  • high-carbon rotors
  • carbon-ceramic brake components
  • complete brake packages
  • stainless/PTFE brake lines
  • supporting brake hardware

This range allows owners to address the braking system at different levels rather than treating every vehicle as though it requires the same solution.

Ceramic Brake Pads for Street Performance

Ceramic brake pads provide an option for enthusiasts who want a performance-oriented replacement while maintaining a street-friendly setup.

Speed by Design offers ceramic pads for a wide range of applications, including BMW, Toyota, Chevrolet, Nissan, and Dodge performance vehicles.

Current applications include:

  • BMW G80/G82/G83/G87 M2, M3, and M4
  • BMW G20/G21/G22/G23/G42 M240i, M340i, and M440i
  • BMW X3M/X4M F97/F98
  • BMW M5 G90/G99
  • BMW M50i/M60i X5, X6, and X7 with iron rotors
  • Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z51
  • Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06
  • Toyota GR Corolla
  • Toyota GR Yaris
  • Nissan R35 GT-R
  • Dodge Viper G3-G5

Exact compatibility depends on the vehicle and brake configuration.

When the Rotors Matter Too

Brake pads are only one part of the braking system.

Rotor design also influences braking performance, heat management, and long-term durability.

Speed by Design offers slotted Geomet iron rotors for supported applications, including the Toyota GR Corolla and GR Yaris.

For the Nissan R35 GT-R, the catalog goes considerably further, including high-carbon rotors and carbon-ceramic options.

This gives owners the ability to build a brake setup around their actual performance requirements rather than simply replacing the factory components with another standard-equivalent part.

Carbon-Ceramic Technology for High-Performance Applications

For vehicles operating at significantly higher performance levels, Speed by Design also offers carbon-ceramic brake solutions.

The R35 GT-R catalog includes T700 CCM carbon-ceramic rotor and pad packages, 292mm CCM rear brake and pad packages, and CCM Street Series brake pads.

Carbon-ceramic systems are particularly relevant to builds where reduced unsprung mass, high-temperature performance, and repeated hard braking are important considerations.

For owners who do not require a complete carbon-ceramic conversion, individual CCM street-series pads provide another way to incorporate the technology into a compatible braking setup.

The R35 GT-R Is a Major Part of the SBD Lineup

Few vehicles receive as much attention in the Speed by Design catalog as the Nissan R35 GT-R.

The R35 is already an exceptionally capable performance platform, but its popularity among modified-car enthusiasts has created demand for upgrades across virtually every major vehicle system.

Speed by Design addresses several of those areas.

Its GT-R lineup includes:

  • brake pads
  • high-carbon rotors
  • carbon-ceramic brake systems
  • brake lines
  • caliper spacers
  • caliper spring clips
  • turbocharger hardware
  • digital dashboards
  • touchscreen radios
  • carbon fiber steering wheels
  • LED tail lights
  • wheel spacers
  • interior solutions
  • supporting GT-R hardware

This makes the SBD catalog particularly interesting for owners building an R35 that needs more than a single performance modification.

Supporting the GT-R Brake System

High-power GT-R builds place substantial demands on the braking system.

Speed by Design's R35 catalog therefore goes beyond brake pads.

The lineup includes PTFE stainless brake lines, low-profile caliper spring clips, and 6mm caliper spacers designed for CBA-to-DBA 390mm front rotor conversions.

These products address the smaller components that can become important when changing the braking configuration of an R35.

A complete brake upgrade is often made up of several individual pieces, and compatibility between those components is critical.

GT-R Turbo Hardware

Speed by Design also moves into the powertrain side of the R35 platform.

Its catalog includes the SBD900R ball-bearing turbo kit for the Nissan R35 GT-R.

This represents a significant shift from replacement hardware into major performance modification.

Turbocharger upgrades can fundamentally change the power potential of a GT-R, but they also increase the importance of supporting systems such as fuel delivery, engine calibration, cooling, transmission capability, and braking.

The turbocharger is therefore best viewed as one component of a complete build rather than an isolated horsepower upgrade.

Upgrading the Driver Interface

Performance is not limited to mechanical components.

The driver interacts with the vehicle through the steering wheel, dashboard, controls, and displays, and these components can become increasingly important in heavily modified cars.

Speed by Design offers several GT-R-specific driver-interface upgrades, including:

  • carbon fiber steering wheels
  • HD digital dashboards
  • touchscreen radio systems
  • CD player panel solutions

These products combine functional upgrades with a more modern interior experience.

Digital Dash Technology for the R35

The factory instrumentation of an older performance car can eventually feel out of place in a heavily modified build.

Speed by Design offers an HD digital dash designed to fit 2007-2024 Nissan GT-R models.

A digital display can provide a more modern interface for monitoring vehicle information while giving the interior a significantly different visual character.

For an R35 that has undergone extensive mechanical modification, updating the driver's information display can be a logical part of bringing the cabin up to the same standard as the powertrain.

Modernizing the GT-R Interior

The same principle applies to infotainment.

Speed by Design offers DTS-certified touchscreen radio systems for different R35 model-year ranges, including a 10.8-inch system for 2007-2016 GT-Rs and a 12.9-inch system for 2017-2024 models.

These upgrades give older GT-R interiors access to a more contemporary touchscreen interface while retaining a vehicle-specific installation approach.

For owners who want to modernize an R35 without abandoning the character of the original car, these types of upgrades can make a noticeable difference.

Carbon Fiber Steering Wheels

The steering wheel is one of the most frequently interacted-with components inside any vehicle.

Speed by Design offers carbon fiber steering wheel options for the Nissan GT-R across its model range.

Beyond appearance, a steering wheel upgrade can change the tactile experience of driving the car while complementing other interior modifications.

On a heavily customized GT-R, the steering wheel can also serve as an important visual connection between the factory interior and the rest of the build.

Exterior and Lighting Upgrades

Speed by Design's R35 lineup also includes exterior-focused components.

One example is the OE 2015+ style LED tail light system for 2008+ Nissan GT-R models, providing an updated lighting appearance while maintaining a vehicle-specific design.

This type of modification demonstrates the broader philosophy behind the SBD catalog: performance builds do not have to focus exclusively on horsepower.

A complete vehicle can be upgraded mechanically, electronically, and visually.

BMW M Performance Applications

Speed by Design is also active in the modern BMW performance market.

The catalog includes brake solutions for several generations of BMW M and M Performance vehicles.

Supported applications include:

  • BMW G80/G82/G83/G87 M2/M3/M4
  • BMW G20/G21/G22/G23/G42 M240i/M340i/M440i
  • BMW F97/F98 X3M/X4M
  • BMW G90/G99 M5
  • BMW X5/X6/X7 M50i/M60i with compatible iron rotors

The range includes both conventional ceramic pads and CCM street-series pads for supported G8X M cars.

The G8X M2, M3, and M4

The G80/G82/G83/G87 generation represents one of BMW's most performance-focused modern platforms.

Speed by Design offers both ceramic brake pads and CCM carbon-ceramic street-series pads for the G8X M2, M3, and M4.

This gives owners different options depending on whether they are looking for a straightforward street-oriented brake upgrade or a more specialized carbon-ceramic setup.

As always, the exact brake configuration should be verified before ordering.

BMW M240i, M340i, and M440i

Speed by Design also provides ceramic brake pads for the newer BMW M240i, M340i, and M440i platforms.

These vehicles may not carry the full M designation, but their performance capabilities make brake-system upgrades increasingly relevant as owners increase power and driving intensity.

For tuned B58-powered vehicles, braking is an important part of creating a balanced performance package.

M Cars Are Not the Only BMWs Covered

The catalog extends into BMW's high-performance SUV segment as well.

Speed by Design offers ceramic pads for the F97/F98 X3M and X4M as well as the newer G90/G99 M5.

There are also ceramic brake pad applications for the X5, X6, and X7 M50i/M60i models equipped with compatible iron rotors.

This broad application coverage makes the brand relevant to both traditional BMW M cars and high-performance SUVs.

Toyota GR Corolla and GR Yaris

Speed by Design also supports Toyota's modern GR performance platforms.

The catalog includes:

  • ceramic brake pads for the 2023+ GR Corolla
  • ceramic brake pads for the 2020+ GR Yaris
  • slotted Geomet iron rotors for GR Corolla/GR Yaris applications

Both vehicles are built around performance-oriented driving characteristics from the factory, making brake upgrades particularly relevant for owners who use their cars aggressively.

Corvette Z51 and Z06

American performance cars are also represented.

Speed by Design offers ceramic brake pads for the 2020+ Chevrolet Corvette Z51 as well as the 2023+ Corvette Z06.

These applications give Corvette owners another option when looking for performance-oriented replacement brake pads.

The Z06 in particular places significant demands on its braking system, making proper pad selection an important consideration for aggressive street and track use.

Dodge Viper Applications

The Speed by Design lineup also reaches back to an iconic American performance platform: the Dodge Viper.

Ceramic brake pads are available for the 2003-2017 Dodge Viper G3-G5.

Supporting older performance platforms is significant because finding application-specific performance hardware can become increasingly difficult as vehicles age.

Building Around the Entire Vehicle

One of the most useful aspects of Speed by Design's catalog is that it encourages a broader approach to vehicle modification.

Consider a high-power R35 GT-R.

Increasing turbocharger output may require:

  • upgraded turbo hardware
  • improved braking
  • stronger brake lines
  • appropriate brake rotors and pads
  • upgraded drivetrain components
  • better monitoring through a digital dash
  • improved driver controls

The result is a vehicle where the supporting systems are developed alongside the engine rather than after it.

That is the difference between simply making more power and building a more complete performance car.

Performance Hardware Should Match the Build

There is no single "best" Speed by Design component for every vehicle.

A daily-driven BMW M340i has different requirements from a track-driven G80 M3.

An R35 GT-R running factory turbos has different needs from an SBD900R-equipped build.

A GR Corolla used primarily on the street has different brake requirements from one regularly driven at the track.

The correct product should therefore be selected according to:

  • vehicle and model year
  • exact brake configuration
  • engine and power level
  • drivetrain setup
  • intended use
  • existing modifications
  • desired performance characteristics

Vehicle-specific fitment remains essential when selecting any braking or drivetrain component.

Speed by Design at Extreme Power House

Speed by Design brings together a diverse collection of performance hardware for enthusiasts who want to go further than basic bolt-ons.

Its catalog ranges from ceramic brake pads and slotted rotors to carbon-ceramic braking systems, GT-R turbo hardware, digital dashboards, touchscreen radios, carbon fiber steering wheels, lighting, and specialized supporting components.

The strongest presence remains the Nissan R35 GT-R, but BMW, Toyota, Chevrolet, and Dodge owners can also find application-specific performance upgrades within the lineup.

For enthusiasts building a vehicle around power, braking, functionality, and driver experience, Speed by Design offers components that address more than one part of the performance equation.

Explore Speed by Design at Extreme Power House: https://x-ph.com/speed-by-design/