In this study, with the purpose of fundamentally improving the unbalance response vibration of a large PRT motor-generator rotor by design, a performance improvement design analysis is carried-out by retrofitting tilting pad bearings, replacing the plain partial journal bearings that were originally applied for operation at a rated speed of 1,800 rpm. In this process, a goal of the design analysis is to obtain a design solution for maximizing the direct stiffness of the bearings while satisfying the key basic lubrication performance requirements such as the minimum lift-off speed and maximum oil-film temperature. The results show that with a careful design application of tilting pad journal bearings for operation at such a relatively low speed of 1,800 rpm, direct stiffness increment of the bearings by about two times can be effectively achieved. Prevention of pad unloading is also considered in the analysis. Moreover, the designs of elliptical and offset half journal bearings are also analyzed and reviewed.