Brake Rotor Replacement

[hvangeel]

@Perfectlap - You just reminded me that I have not received the Excellence Magazine since I moved - I should probably change my address. So no, I have not read the article and I am looking for a quick decision so I can install them before my next event.
@Topless - I am not sure what your recommendation is but I read it as ' buy the cheapest ones because they won't last anyway'. BTW - I did install the GT3 brake ducts.

[Topless]

Originally Posted by hvangeel

@Topless - I am not sure what your recommendation is but I read it as ' buy the cheapest ones because they won't last anyway'. BTW - I did install the GT3 brake ducts.

I still have more questions than answers. My Balo OEM quality rotors were dirt cheap at around $40 ea. Zimmerman are OEM quality for around $80 ea. and many Boxster drivers say they are better than Balo. Genuine Porsche rotors are around $150 ea. I got 17 track days on the Balos since last May and they were pretty good until this weekend so I shouldn't complain too loudly. The guys I know who have tried the high tech/ high$$/slotted/crossdrilled aftermarket specials have complained about cracks forming the first weekend out. I have no personal experience with them but brake safety is a biggie and cracks are bad news.

I guess my preliminary recommendation is to buy OEM quality and really "Sunday cruise" your cool down lap. Experiment with pad combinations to find the right setup for you.

[hvangeel]

Here's another company that somebody recommended to me:

http://www.frozenrotors.com/

Apparently they are expensive but last a long time. Has anybody used them?

[Mike_Yi]

I would think slotted and/or drilled rotors would make the problem worse rather than better. You want more metal to hold and disperse the heat rather than less metal.

[hvangeel]

I thought the cross-drilled holes' purpose was to ventilate the brakes?

[sdharmani]

OEMs cross drill to save weight ... cooling happens through the gap between the two sides of the rotor.

Originally Posted by hvangeel

I thought the cross-drilled holes' purpose was to ventilate the brakes?

[ekam]

Go for 2-piece rotors from either GiroDisc (requires 18"+ wheels) or PFC (if you want to retain OEM size).

[JTP]

Originally Posted by sdharmani

OEMs cross drill to save weight ... cooling happens through the gap between the two sides of the rotor.

Weight savings is minimal. Brake pads out-gas under heavy braking and cross drilling allows those gases to escape so the pad maintains contact with the disc. Modern brake pads out gas much less than before so it's not as much an issue but the performance image of drilled rotors sells. The downside to drilled rotors are they eat up pads quicker and if subject to repeated heavy braking, cracks can emanate from the holes.