Drilled and Slotted Rotors

[Voo Doo]

Porsche rotors crack at the track, Ferrari rotors crack at the track, and rumor is their engineers have admitted that they're only for aesthetics and to meet their high-dollar customer's visual expectations.

High-dollar race teams (Porsche) can use whatever they want if they're replacing the rotors every race anyways.

I laugh when I see drilled rotors at car shows.. To me drilled look is all show and no go.

That's why they're called "Shows" not Tracks!! I think that's already been established.

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[BlownOne]

Some of you guys are way overthinking it...99% of people aren't ever going to push their braking system hard enough to potientially cause stress fractures on drilled rotors. Now if you buy cheap China drilled rotors, you have a higher chance of a failure as they use lower quality metals to cut costs. But as long as you buy from a well know reputable brand, you shouldn't have any cracking issues with drilled rotors, even if you track your car.

Op, I've been running Rotorpros premium zinc coated drilled/slotted rotors on my CtsV for about 4 years without any issues.

 

[Voo Doo]

BLownOne....good to know. I have RotoPro drilled/slotted as well just ordered the Z26 Power Stop pads front/ re then install next week.

Because I was in a stupid hurry (bought last year!!) they are not painted and I got a discount. Have the gloss Black ..are yours painted or plain??

 

[Norm Peterson]

Some of you guys are way overthinking it...99% of people aren't ever going to push their braking system hard enough to potientially cause stress fractures on drilled rotors.

It's not overthinking or just 'potentially' when you can see micro-cracking even in plain rotors and significant cracking in the pads. The heat is there in sufficient quantity. See post #18 above, posted about 2-1/2 weeks ago.

I'll give you that for drag racing there isn't as much risk of rotors cracking, but it would be irresponsible on my part to recommend that and many other drag-related modifications for road course running or even moderately hard canyon running. Head in the sand is not the same as true peace of mind.


This isn't a computer video game where you get as many CTRL-ALT-DEL resets as you need when things start going wrong.


Norm

 

[maddawg57]

I've ran Brakemotive drilled n slotted rotors made by powerstop on 1 truck , and 2 Corvettes , and 2 mustangs . Logged lots of miles n never had a problem with them .

 

[BlownOne]

BLownOne....good to know. I have RotoPro drilled/slotted as well just ordered the Z26 Power Stop pads front/ re then install next week.

Because I was in a stupid hurry (bought last year!!) they are not painted and I got a discount. Have the gloss Black ..are yours painted or plain??

Yea they make a good quality rotor. I have the black zinc coated hat/veins and 4 years later, they still look good.

 

[sigintel]

The base GT brakes are pretty damn good if you change the fluid to SRF and run OEM pads.
Did some failure testing and was hella impressed.
If you gonna spend $600 for rotors, just spend $1200 and get the real PP OEM Ford kit or get a set from a junk yard for half that.

 

[Voo Doo]

The base GT brakes are pretty damn good if you change the fluid to SRF and run OEM pads.
Did some failure testing and was hella impressed.
If you gonna spend $600 for rotors, just spend $1200 and get the real PP OEM Ford kit or get a set from a junk yard for half that.

I think we have 2 groups here.....Track and Show. I'm just a Bling guy so...I have the GT with the PP already.....just want the drilled/slotted look. Seems to be the reason most OP's on this thread are buying them. Not necessarily for the stopping power. The Ceramic pads also emit far less brake dust. Several drilled rotors on here already have not cracked. It's like oranges and apples. And they have $$$ leftover for more unnecessary stuff! Let's face it...these cars are really great right off the showroom floor. They look good, they stop, have great lighting, etc...etc.

 

[mustang_guy]

You still decreased your braking surface and heat dissipation capabilities. Sounds like a huge win...

 

[Norm Peterson]

I think we have 2 groups here.....Track and Show. I'm just a Bling guy so...I have the GT with the PP already.....just want the drilled/slotted look.

That's about the size of it, without very many people doing both at any serious level (maybe nobody in this thread at all). Thank you for making your use (needs?) clear.

What scares me as one of the track guys is people reading posts about people "never having trouble with drilled rotors" may assume that the people talking about running drilled rotors are talking about track time as well as street driving, without understanding how much more severe track is on brakes compared to street.


I understand that drilled rotors are extremely unlikely to fail catastrophically in any sane/legal street driving. So I guess the point I'm trying to make is that when it comes to brakes you need to look beyond your own use before making recommendations. Either that or specifically identify that your suggestions are street-only or possibly up to street/dragstrip or street/autocross here.


Norm

 

[mustang_guy]

As first and foremost a drag guy the idea of using drilled is stupid. I want all the braking power and heat dissipation I can get for my diameter of rotor. The most I use is slotted EVER for any intended purpose track, drag or street. I'm not happy the Watson rear end kit comes with cross drilled wilwoods. Those will need to be changed out ASAP.

 

[Voo Doo]

Clarity

That's about the size of it, without very many people doing both at any serious level (maybe nobody in this thread at all). Thank you for making your use (needs?) clear.

What scares me as one of the track guys is people reading posts about people "never having trouble with drilled rotors" may assume that the people talking about running drilled rotors are talking about track time as well as street driving, without understanding how much more severe track is on brakes compared to street.


I understand that drilled rotors are extremely unlikely to fail catastrophically in any sane/legal street driving. So I guess the point I'm trying to make is that when it comes to brakes you need to look beyond your own use before making recommendations.

Either that or specifically identify that your suggestions are street-only or possibly up to street/dragstrip or street/autocross here.


Norm

Totally understand Norm... however the clarity of use was in the very 1st opening post of this thread....."For Looks" maybe start a separate thread Drilled/Slotted rotors Not for the Track" and explain the pitfalls and perhaps get some more input from the Racers as well....it may be helpful information...just to be on the safe side. ( not being a smart-ass! ) this was intended as a show/appealing purchase, not full on racing.

 

[Voo Doo]

You still decreased your braking surface and heat dissipation capabilities. Sounds like a huge win...

Try to explain that to the Millions of drilled/slotted rotor equipped Hot Rods and hear what they have to say about that. ;)

 

[mustang_guy]

Try to explain that to the Millions of drilled/slotted rotor equipped Hot Rods and hear what they have to say about that. ;)

You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make them drink. Ignorance is bliss as they say. I personally cannot understand spending more money to decrease braking efficiency. :shrug:

 

[Voo Doo]

You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make them drink. Ignorance is bliss as they say. I personally cannot understand spending more money to decrease braking efficiency. :shrug:

It all boils down to....it's their money and their choice. How many guys on this site have super chargers....lots, 435hp is not enough??... but do they use that power? It's all about choices in this hobby. And opinions of course, like yours probably has merit but do I care....no, I just want something nice and hope I can slam on the brakes in my city driving like a normal guy. I do not track my car.

I didn't need the red GT start button either...but I got one and didn't care about the cost like a whole bunch of other guys.

The op stated it was an aesthetic thing only in the first post.

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