dimpled vs. cross-drilled rotors?
05-21-2005, 08:18 PM
#1
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dimpled vs. cross-drilled rotors? Anyone? Are dimpled rotors better than cross drilled? I've been told that the cross drilled rotors tend to crack sometimes so I was just wanting some opinions. I'm buying on or the other. thanks.
Last edited by 97SprChrgd383; 05-22-2005 at 09:34 AM.
05-22-2005, 04:21 PM
#3
Dimpled are better than cross-drilled from a performance standpoint. But... if it's performance you want... solid rotors are better (Brembo blanks). If it's looks you're after (and not necessarily performance), cross-drilled and/or slotted will work. With that said, cross-drilled and/or slotted will work ok on the street. You'd most likely only notice diminished performance on a road course or atuo-x.
Marc
Marc
05-22-2005, 08:01 PM
#5
My last set of rotors was an expensive set of drilled that i bought on a GP here on the board. They warped faster than the stock ones did. what a waste. Drilled rotors do nothing for performance.
Now I use $39 rotors from autozone and a good set of pads.
Now I use $39 rotors from autozone and a good set of pads.
05-22-2005, 10:38 PM
#7
One thing I neglected to mention was that cross-drilled and slotted rotors also have a much better chance of developing stress cracks in the metal.
If you weren't aware... the idea of cross-drilling and slotting rotors came about many years ago when the adhesive used on brake pads would emit gases when they became too hot. The holes and slots would allow the gases to be displaced and improve performance. What brake manufacturers do not tell you is that the adhesives use today do not produce the gases they did long ago. So, there's really no need for the holes or slots anymore. People have been mislead to believe they'll improve performance when in fact they actually reduce performance and rotor longevity in today's braking systems. If you do a search on any of the LS1 or F-Body forums, you'll find this has been discussed at length.
Marc
If you weren't aware... the idea of cross-drilling and slotting rotors came about many years ago when the adhesive used on brake pads would emit gases when they became too hot. The holes and slots would allow the gases to be displaced and improve performance. What brake manufacturers do not tell you is that the adhesives use today do not produce the gases they did long ago. So, there's really no need for the holes or slots anymore. People have been mislead to believe they'll improve performance when in fact they actually reduce performance and rotor longevity in today's braking systems. If you do a search on any of the LS1 or F-Body forums, you'll find this has been discussed at length.
Marc
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05-23-2005, 01:36 AM
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im gonna have to throw up the bs flag on this one. as far as the adhesive story, thats great and all, and there may even be some truth to it. but cross drilled rotors are used on too many endurance racing cars for me to believe some fairy tail like that. i have a set of slotted rotors that in truth, feel about the same as stock, but the only racing i do is drag. if you plan on doing racing that involves a constant high temp situation, a set of good cross drilled rotors/ pads may be worth looking into.
Last edited by G's99_hawk; 05-23-2005 at 11:02 AM.
05-23-2005, 07:58 AM
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I have had powerslots on my car for about two years and done a few autocrosses and long road trips to the mountains. The braking power was definately improved with a set of hawk pads and I have had no warping what so ever. In we conditions, they seem to be better than stock.
05-23-2005, 12:23 PM
#11
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G's99_hawk & SS01RED please read:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspension-brakes/262940-replacing-rotors-what-get.html
(Just dont do what absolut_speed said in that thread, he was joking.)
PS, nytmare1 is right.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspension-brakes/262940-replacing-rotors-what-get.html
(Just dont do what absolut_speed said in that thread, he was joking.)
PS, nytmare1 is right.
05-23-2005, 11:27 PM
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Originally Posted by G's99_hawk
im gonna have to throw up the bs flag on this one. as far as the adhesive story, thats great and all, and there may even be some truth to it. but cross drilled rotors are used on too many endurance racing cars for me to believe some fairy tail like that. i have a set of slotted rotors that in truth, feel about the same as stock, but the only racing i do is drag. if you plan on doing racing that involves a constant high temp situation, a set of good cross drilled rotors/ pads may be worth looking into.
05-24-2005, 04:49 PM
#17
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The link I provided has plenty of info on rotors and pads. There is a link in there to a thread where various members discuss the rotors/pads/fluid that they have used (the good and the bad).
A decent set of pads and blank rotors will help you decrease your stopping distances. Stickier tires will also help. That is something that people forget. Tires are your contact to the ground.
A decent set of pads and blank rotors will help you decrease your stopping distances. Stickier tires will also help. That is something that people forget. Tires are your contact to the ground.
05-24-2005, 04:55 PM
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http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tech/tech101.jsp
"While grooved, drilled and slotted rotors offer an enhanced appearance and add some resistance to the boundary layer of gasses that can build up between the pad and rotor, they are not designed to withstand the extreme temperatures that are produced on the racetrack. If they are used on the track, it is very important that the rotors be carefully inspected and should not be driven on if even minor signs of deterioration are seen. Note, too, that if these products are used on the track they are not warrantable."
"While grooved, drilled and slotted rotors offer an enhanced appearance and add some resistance to the boundary layer of gasses that can build up between the pad and rotor, they are not designed to withstand the extreme temperatures that are produced on the racetrack. If they are used on the track, it is very important that the rotors be carefully inspected and should not be driven on if even minor signs of deterioration are seen. Note, too, that if these products are used on the track they are not warrantable."
05-25-2005, 08:07 AM
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If cross drilled and slotted are soo bad, then why do companies such as Porsche and Mercedes put them on their top of the line perfomance cars? I do understand that slotted and cross drilled might be prone to wearing down faster especially if they are cheap, but if done right, they should be an improvement. I could be wrong, but if I am, then so are some big companies!
05-25-2005, 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by BOOTYTA
If cross drilled and slotted are soo bad, then why do companies such as Porsche and Mercedes put them on their top of the line perfomance cars? I do understand that slotted and cross drilled might be prone to wearing down faster especially if they are cheap, but if done right, they should be an improvement. I could be wrong, but if I am, then so are some big companies!
Because they can call them high-performane brakes and charge more money for them. Car companies are out to sell cars and the general population sees drilled or slotted rotors as a premium or "high-performance" braking characteristic.
Plus, they look pretty.
Also, remember that the brakes on a street car will never ever see the extreme conditions that a track car sees, so the fact that surface area and anti-warping characteristics are lost in a drilled rotor doesn't really matter.
This subject has been beaten to death and the guys who know what they are talking about recommend a large diameter, blank rotor with an aggressive pad and sticky tires for maximum braking.
Drilled, slotted, dimpled or whatever rotors look nice but do not aid in braking. They are fine for 95% of drivers, but aren't really acceptable for track use.
As for those high dollar race cars with silicon carbide rotors....I have no idea how they work. But the general population will buy a slotted rotor simply because they see it on a race car. It's all about making $$$$$.
Just my $.02