R35 GT-R Bellhousing Upgrade Guide: ATR Performance V1, V2 & V3

The Nissan R35 GT-R bellhousing is a known source of noise and potential drivetrain problems as mileage and power increase. The familiar GT-R bellhousing rattle is often the first reason owners begin looking for a replacement or upgraded bellhousing—but choosing the right solution depends heavily on how the car is used and how much power it makes.

ATR Performance offers three R35 GT-R bellhousing configurations: V1, V2 and V3.

Rather than simply choosing the most expensive option, we recommend matching the bellhousing to the car’s horsepower and intended use.

Why Does an R35 GT-R Bellhousing Rattle?

The R35 bellhousing assembly contains bearings supporting rotating drivetrain components. Over time, movement can develop between the bearings and the aluminum bellhousing, resulting in the distinctive rattling or knocking noise commonly associated with the R35 GT-R bellhousing.

ATR Performance addresses this problem by installing hardened steel insert sleeves to eliminate bearing movement, along with upgraded Japanese-made Nachi bearings.

The result is a properly rebuilt R35 bellhousing designed to eliminate bellhousing rattle and provide dependable service.

But once horsepower increases substantially beyond stock levels, simply eliminating the rattle isn’t necessarily enough. That’s why ATR Performance offers three different bellhousing configurations.

ATR Performance V1 Bellhousing: Stock to 800 HP

Best for: Stock and moderately modified R35 GT-Rs

For a stock or moderately modified Nissan GT-R, the ATR Performance V1 Bellhousing is our tried-and-true solution.

We recommend the V1 for cars producing up to approximately 800 horsepower.

This is an excellent choice for an R35 owner whose primary concern is eliminating an existing bellhousing rattle or replacing a worn factory bellhousing without paying for upgrades intended for significantly higher horsepower.

A typical V1 customer:

Your GT-R is stock or moderately modified, makes less than approximately 800 HP, and has developed the familiar R35 bellhousing rattle.

You aren’t planning a 1,500-horsepower build—you simply want the problem repaired correctly and don’t want to worry about it again.

The V1 is the logical choice.

ATR V1 highlights:

• Recommended for R35 GT-Rs up to approximately 800 HP
• Eliminates common R35 bellhousing rattle
• Hardened steel bearing insert sleeves
• Upgraded Japanese-made Nachi bearings
• Used OEM aluminum bellhousing, media blasted for a cleaner appearance
• Inspected used damper disc
• Proven design with hundreds of ATR bellhousings sold worldwide
• One-year labor-only warranty on the housing
• Damper disc is not covered by the housing warranty

For the majority of stock and mildly modified R35 GT-Rs, there is simply no reason to overcomplicate the repair. V1 provides a proven solution to the common GT-R bellhousing problem.

ATR Performance V2 Bellhousing: 800–1,600 HP

Best for: High-horsepower street, roll-racing and performance GT-Rs

Once an R35 GT-R moves beyond approximately 800 horsepower, the demands placed on the drivetrain change significantly.

For GT-Rs producing approximately 800–1,600 horsepower, ATR Performance recommends the V2 R35 Bellhousing.

V2 incorporates the same fundamental bellhousing improvements while adding an important modification to the output shaft and flange.

The modified output shaft and flange provide the driveshaft with additional room to float, greatly reducing the likelihood of future failure.

A typical V2 customer:

Your R35 makes 1,000, 1,200 or 1,500 horsepower. Maybe it’s primarily a street car. Maybe you roll race it, take it to the drag strip occasionally, or simply have a significantly upgraded engine and GR6 transmission.

At this power level, you’re looking beyond simply getting rid of a rattle. You want a bellhousing solution specifically intended for a higher-output drivetrain.

This is where we recommend the V2.

ATR V2 highlights:

• Recommended for approximately 800–1,600 HP
• Eliminates common R35 GT-R bellhousing rattle
• Hardened steel bearing insert sleeves
• Upgraded Japanese-made Nachi bearings
• Modified output shaft and flange
• Provides additional room for driveshaft float
• Greatly reduces the likelihood of future failure
• Used OEM aluminum bellhousing, media blasted for a cleaner appearance
• Inspected used damper disc
• We will warranty the bearings for 5 years from date of purchase
• Damper disc is not covered by the housing warranty

For most heavily modified street and performance GT-Rs, V2 offers the best balance between cost, reliability and additional protection for a high-horsepower drivetrain.

ATR Performance V3 Bellhousing: 1,600+ HP

Best for: Extreme-horsepower and dedicated competition R35 GT-Rs

At more than 1,600 horsepower, you’re operating in a completely different environment from the average modified GT-R.

Cars at this level are often running highly modified GR6 transmissions, aggressive launch strategies, large turbo systems and drivetrain components designed specifically for extreme power.

For these applications, ATR Performance offers the V3 Bellhousing.

The major difference is the use of a billet shaft and damper disc, providing a solution intended for the extreme demands of very high-horsepower R35 GT-R applications.

A typical V3 customer:

Your GT-R makes 1,600, 2,000 or significantly more horsepower. The car may be dedicated to drag racing or another form of competition where maximum drivetrain capability takes priority over the requirements of a conventional street car.

At this point, an OEM-style shaft and damper disc are no longer the components we would recommend for the application.

This is V3 territory.

ATR V3 highlights:

• Recommended for R35 GT-Rs exceeding 1,600 HP
• Intended for extreme-horsepower and competition applications
• Hardened steel bearing insert sleeves
• Upgraded Japanese-made Nachi bearings
• Billet shaft
• Billet damper disc
• Used OEM aluminum bellhousing, media blasted for a cleaner appearance
• We will warranty the bearings for 5 years from date of purchase
  

V3 isn’t necessary for every GT-R—and that’s exactly the point. It exists for cars operating at a level where the additional hardware becomes appropriate.

Which R35 GT-R Bellhousing Do I Need?

Choosing between the ATR Performance V1, V2 and V3 is primarily a matter of matching the bellhousing to your power level and application.

Stock to approximately 800 HP:
Choose V1. It’s our proven solution for stock and moderately modified GT-Rs, particularly when the goal is eliminating bellhousing rattle and restoring reliable operation.

Approximately 800–1,600 HP:
Choose V2. The modified output shaft and flange provide additional driveshaft float and greatly reduce the likelihood of future failure as drivetrain demands increase.

More than 1,600 HP:
Choose V3. At extreme horsepower levels, the billet shaft and damper disc make this the appropriate choice for serious competition builds.

These horsepower ranges aren’t intended to imply that a bellhousing will automatically fail at a particular horsepower number. They’re practical recommendations based on the type of drivetrain demands typically seen at each level.

What’s Included With Your ATR Performance R35 GT-R Bellhousing?

Depending on the version selected, your ATR Performance bellhousing will include the appropriate upgrades for that configuration.

Every housing begins with a used OEM aluminum R35 GT-R bellhousing that has been media blasted to provide a cleaner appearance. Because these are genuine used housings, minor cosmetic imperfections may remain.

Our V1 and V2 assemblies also utilize a used damper disc that has been inspected for reliability, while the V3 upgrades to the billet shaft and damper disc configuration.

Most importantly, the bellhousing is rebuilt to address the bearing movement responsible for the common Nissan GT-R bellhousing rattle.

R35 GT-R Bellhousing Installation Available in Gilbert, Arizona

For customers who prefer a complete repair rather than installing the bellhousing themselves, professional installation is available at our Gilbert, Arizona facility.

Add installation to your order and ATR Performance can handle the complete bellhousing replacement for you.

This is particularly useful for GT-R owners who want their car worked on by a shop familiar with the platform rather than treating it as a conventional transmission repair.

Easy R35 GT-R Bellhousing Core Return

Your replacement ATR Performance bellhousing is shipped in a reusable box designed to make returning your original bellhousing core simple.

After installing your replacement assembly, place your original bellhousing in the same packaging and return the core to ATR Performance.

Thousands of ATR Performance Bellhousings Sold Worldwide

ATR Performance has supplied hundreds of R35 GT-R bellhousings to customers around the world.

Whether you’re trying to eliminate an annoying bellhousing rattle on a mostly stock GT-R or building a 2,000+ horsepower race car, our goal is to provide the version that actually makes sense for your application.

You don’t necessarily need the most expensive bellhousing.

You need the right bellhousing for your GT-R.

ATR Performance R35 GT-R Bellhousing Recommendations

V1 — Up to 800 HP
The proven choice for stock and moderately modified R35 GT-Rs.

V2 — 800–1,600 HP
Our recommended solution for high-horsepower street, drag and roll-racing GT-Rs, featuring the modified shaft and output flange for additional driveshaft float.

V3 — 1,600+ HP
Designed for extreme-power R35 GT-R applications with a billet shaft and damper disc.

Fix Your R35 GT-R Bellhousing Rattle and Choose the Right Upgrade

If your Nissan GT-R has developed bellhousing rattle, or you’re upgrading the drivetrain to handle significantly more horsepower, ATR Performance has a bellhousing solution designed around your application.

From the proven V1 bellhousing, to the upgraded V2, to the extreme-duty V3, you can select the level of protection appropriate for your R35.

Choose your ATR Performance R35 GT-R bellhousing and get your GT-R back on the road—or back to the track.