Power Slot Rotors... Any Good?
#1
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Davenport, Iowa
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Power Slot Rotors... Any Good?
My stock rotors are horribly warped, so much so that the steering wheel shakes rather badly even when slowing down from only 50 or so. Instead of getting new pads and turning the rotors, I figure I might as well get upgraded rotors since it'd be a good time to. Power Slot slotted rotors are going for about $110 a piece for the front. Would any of you recommend them? I'm not going with cross-drilled because I hear more times than not about them cracking. Along with the rotors, what pads would be best? Just regular semi-metallic from any ol' AutoZone or such?
#2
Copy & Paste Moderator
If you do a search on here, you'll find plenty of information.
Basically, the experts on here (I'm not one) say that Cross-Drilled and Slotted rotors are more for eye-candy that braking performace (they used to help with older tech pads, but not necessary with todays pads). That being said, some have recommended using Brembo Blank OEM replacement rotors (not CrossDrilled or Slotted) and HPS pads for a modest inscrease in brake performance without hurting a budget. Another alternative (and cheaper) rotor is the AIMCO rotor available at Autozone.
This was just a quick recap of what I have seen, a search will turn up much more information.
To answer your question specifically, PowerSlot is a good brand although I have no experience with those rotors.
Here is my setup (I aimed for cheap)
Stock rotors (still original with 32,000 miles)
Satisfied Metalazer Pro Ceramic front pads
Satisfied Metalazer Pro Carbon Metallic rear pads
Satisfied is the brand that Lappens (a New England auto parts chain) carries. The box has a picture of a silver early 4th gen Firebird on it. They are made in Canada (just like our cars).
Basically, the experts on here (I'm not one) say that Cross-Drilled and Slotted rotors are more for eye-candy that braking performace (they used to help with older tech pads, but not necessary with todays pads). That being said, some have recommended using Brembo Blank OEM replacement rotors (not CrossDrilled or Slotted) and HPS pads for a modest inscrease in brake performance without hurting a budget. Another alternative (and cheaper) rotor is the AIMCO rotor available at Autozone.
This was just a quick recap of what I have seen, a search will turn up much more information.
To answer your question specifically, PowerSlot is a good brand although I have no experience with those rotors.
Here is my setup (I aimed for cheap)
Stock rotors (still original with 32,000 miles)
Satisfied Metalazer Pro Ceramic front pads
Satisfied Metalazer Pro Carbon Metallic rear pads
Satisfied is the brand that Lappens (a New England auto parts chain) carries. The box has a picture of a silver early 4th gen Firebird on it. They are made in Canada (just like our cars).
Last edited by VIP1; 05-17-2004 at 04:20 PM.
#3
TECH Enthusiast
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: E-town, PA
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by VIP1
some have recommended using Baer OEM replacement rotors (not CrossDrilled or Slotted)
But you hit everything else right on the head.
Good work. You saved Trackbird and Mitch from getting finger blisters retyping another reply about rotors.
#5
Copy & Paste Moderator
Originally Posted by PSU_Engineer
Just a minor correction. That would be Brembo Blank rotors, not Baer.
But you hit everything else right on the head.
Good work. You saved Trackbird and Mitch from getting finger blisters retyping another reply about rotors.
But you hit everything else right on the head.
Good work. You saved Trackbird and Mitch from getting finger blisters retyping another reply about rotors.
#6
It's not mine! woo hoo!
iTrader: (7)
I ran Powerslots on my 93 GT, 01 Z28, and I just put them on my SS. I think that since they aren't much more than stock rotors, they are a nice item. I also run Hawk pads, so that might contribute to the higher level of braking performance with the Power Slots.
#7
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
Originally Posted by DMNSPD
I ran Powerslots on my 93 GT, 01 Z28, and I just put them on my SS. I think that since they aren't much more than stock rotors, they are a nice item. I also run Hawk pads, so that might contribute to the higher level of braking performance with the Power Slots.
Actually, the Hawks are the reason for the better braking level. Rotors do not make "grip", there is no special alloy (carbon/carbon brakes are a different discussion). The pads were the upgrade.
Have fun!
Trending Topics
#9
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
Originally Posted by redramair00
I've heard the Baer Eradispeeds are ALOT better than the powerslot's. Is this true?
With the exception of slightly better quality castings and a much higher price.....No.
http://home.columbus.rr.com/trackbir...led_rotors.htm
#10
It's not mine! woo hoo!
iTrader: (7)
Originally Posted by trackbird
Actually, the Hawks are the reason for the better braking level. Rotors do not make "grip", there is no special alloy (carbon/carbon brakes are a different discussion). The pads were the upgrade.
Have fun!
Have fun!
#13
TECH Apprentice
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by trackbird
With the exception of slightly better quality castings and a much higher price.....No.
http://home.columbus.rr.com/trackbir...led_rotors.htm
http://home.columbus.rr.com/trackbir...led_rotors.htm
A better analogy is a radiator. See those fins? Their purpose is to increase the area of contact with the air and thus improve heat dissipation. Similar argument holds for a rotor. How good it works - that's a different question. By making slots you naturally sacrifice the amount of surface in contact with a pad. So in theory slotting should increase fading resistance. I'm pretty sure big companies have some actual test results. Somebody look it up
#14
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
Originally Posted by Iv_z28
That was some funny reading. In reality though there is a point in having a slotted rotor. The idea is to increase the surface area and to improve heat dissipation. The water analogy is pretty poor, since if you place 5 lb of water in a plate with the bottom surface of 50sq. in., and 3 lb of water in a plate with the bottom surface of 20 sq. in.; with both plates being held at constant temperature by your torch, then naturally 5lb of water in a bigger plate will heat up faster. Go to you kitchen, take a big and a small pans and check for yourself (use large heater in both case)
A better analogy is a radiator. See those fins? Their purpose is to increase the area of contact with the air and thus improve heat dissipation. Similar argument holds for a rotor. How good it works - that's a different question. By making slots you naturally sacrifice the amount of surface in contact with a pad. So in theory slotting should increase fading resistance. I'm pretty sure big companies have some actual test results. Somebody look it up
A better analogy is a radiator. See those fins? Their purpose is to increase the area of contact with the air and thus improve heat dissipation. Similar argument holds for a rotor. How good it works - that's a different question. By making slots you naturally sacrifice the amount of surface in contact with a pad. So in theory slotting should increase fading resistance. I'm pretty sure big companies have some actual test results. Somebody look it up
Consider it "looked up".
Slots were designed to "wipe" pad material away from the pad surface to help eject the spent matter from the pad/rotor interface. The cooling is done by the fins or vanes inside the rotor. They are designed to pump air out from the center of the rotor to the outside edge, that is what cools the rotor.
Heres one...for drilled and "gas slotted" rotors. The slots and holes do the same thing.
http://www.classicperform.com/produc...ted-rotors.htm
http://www.dba.com.au/rotors_slotted.asp (Baer uses DBA rotors and I don't agree with thier page either)
Or, this one.
http://www.teamscr.com/rotors.html
Or here, from Stoptech, the "Big Brake" guys ($2500 kits).
http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/...ons_122701.htm
They say:
"DRILLED VS SLOTTED ROTORS
For many years most racing rotors were drilled. There were two reasons - the holes gave the "fireband" boundary layer of gasses and particulate matter someplace to go and the edges of the holes gave the pad a better "bite".
Unfortunately the drilled holes also reduced the thermal capacity of the discs and served as very effective "stress raisers" significantly decreasing disc life. Improvements in friction materials have pretty much made the drilled rotor a thing of the past in racing. Most racing rotors currently feature a series of tangential slots or channels that serve the same purpose without the attendant disadvantages."
Meaning, slots are less likley to crack than drilled holes, but they serve the same function. Also, if a rotor is slotted, the slot should not exit the disk surface. Look at the picture of the power slot below. If both ends looked like the inside edge (with a radiused corner) it may still be alive today. But where it exits the disk is where it will crack, as shown in multiple locations on our example picture. You may notice that nobody has mentioned cooling under the "possible uses of slots" category, even Stoptech who seem to like them. Though, Nascar/wilwood packages are slotted and they hold up pretty well, their slots don't usually exit the rotor and are often small and used in sets to sweep the full pad.
And a powerslot:
I could continue, but I think you will begin to understand. And the info on my website is not made up, it is my based on knowledge gained from reading everything I could find about brake system design and performance, my own testing and destruction of parts and the NASA American Iron team where I often do crew chief duties. Anyway, didn't come to argue, just to present information. The info is there and everyone is free to believe what they want to, I try to educate those who want to know, and have given up on fighting with the rest.
Last edited by trackbird; 05-19-2004 at 08:38 AM.
#15
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Davenport, Iowa
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
WS6, where can I purchase these IRotors? $290 for a set of 4 sounds way too cheap to be a good investment. Anyone have any reviews on these IRotors?
#16
TECH Apprentice
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
trackbird:
I appreciate your attempt to clarify some issues and you do have some valid points.
Yes, the slots naturally create a stress point, which I didn't mention. You may notice however that f. e. Brembo slotted rotors don't have slots going all the way to the edge so in a properly done slot stressing is minimized.
Regardless of that, I was trying to explain that from a physical point of view slots MAY in fact provide help in heat dissipation and fade resistance department.
I appreciate your attempt to clarify some issues and you do have some valid points.
Yes, the slots naturally create a stress point, which I didn't mention. You may notice however that f. e. Brembo slotted rotors don't have slots going all the way to the edge so in a properly done slot stressing is minimized.
Regardless of that, I was trying to explain that from a physical point of view slots MAY in fact provide help in heat dissipation and fade resistance department.
#17
TECH Apprentice
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by TransAm52804
WS6, where can I purchase these IRotors? $290 for a set of 4 sounds way too cheap to be a good investment. Anyone have any reviews on these IRotors?
#18
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
Originally Posted by Iv_z28
trackbird:
I appreciate your attempt to clarify some issues and you do have some valid points.
Yes, the slots naturally create a stress point, which I didn't mention. You may notice however that f. e. Brembo slotted rotors don't have slots going all the way to the edge so in a properly done slot stressing is minimized.
Regardless of that, I was trying to explain that from a physical point of view slots MAY in fact provide help in heat dissipation and fade resistance department.
I appreciate your attempt to clarify some issues and you do have some valid points.
Yes, the slots naturally create a stress point, which I didn't mention. You may notice however that f. e. Brembo slotted rotors don't have slots going all the way to the edge so in a properly done slot stressing is minimized.
Regardless of that, I was trying to explain that from a physical point of view slots MAY in fact provide help in heat dissipation and fade resistance department.
As for helping reduce temps and fade resistance. If anyone wants to break out rotors and test gear, I'll be glad to help test it. I bet we find that is makes virtually no difference. I bet it is even difficult or impossible to measure, using race pads or standard pads. The alternative is, the slot is area not contacting the pad and therefore not making friction. This leaves the rest of the rotor surface to "pick up the slack" and could result in higher localized temperatures on the rotor surface. And, the reduction of mass can contribute to greater temperature rise during a stop. So, it could impact braking from a lack of pad contact area. It is probably about as much impact on braking from reduced area as the effect it has on cooling. Again, I bet we can't measure it. However, they really are pretty.
Anyway. I hope that explained the reasons they exist (the post and my site). They do look cool, and everyone is free to make a decision. I just like to help make it an informed decision.
#19
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
And, as a side note. I don't completely dislike slotted rotors (though I can live without drilled ones). I prefer not to run them on my own stuff due to cracking and wear concerns. I am trying to educate people to know the difference between the marketing hype and real science. Drilled/slotted rotors are not a "miracle cure". They are mostly just pretty. $800 in Eradispeeds will not help your car outbrake my car with $60 Brembo OEM rotors and Carbotech Panther Plus pads (but Baer will have you believe otherwise). It is the manufacturers way of seperating you from $800 that would be much better spent on other parts (if race cars use it, or used it, it has to be good for my street car, right?). With that said, we have run Wilwood slotted rotors on the AIX car (because that's what Wilwood makes in that size) and those (that use a series of very small, overlapping, slots) seem to hold up pretty well. But, for a few hundred dollars each (not including the hat), they should.
#20
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (33)
actually they are normally 350 or so for all four but irotors run a discounted price on ebay, the last time i checked. i hear a lot of people say they like these things and they look good too. im not gettin them to stop better, gotta redo the brakes so i figured i would make it look good. ill post pics when i get it done in the next few weeks. buddy of mine has drilled rotors and gives them hell and has no problems. i think the cracking issue has to deal more with either getting a bad set or extreme abuse like road racing. for normal everyday use i dont see a problem