Advantages to slotted or drilled rotors? I don't think so.

imag · 11-18-2009, 02:09 PM

I am wondering if AP- Chris and/or Gary could weigh in on this, as it's something I have always wondered. A friend of mine from Wilwood said that cross drilled rotors are a bad idea for anyone except a racing team, where they really need the weight savings and can afford to replace rotors after every race.

It certainly seems true that low-end cross drilled rotors crack. That said, top-line Porsches (GT3, etc.) and others have cross drilled brakes and they seem to do okay at the track.

Can you guys settle this once and for all? Looks aside, when does it make sense to go cross drilled, if ever?

ChrisSlicks · 11-18-2009, 02:23 PM

All rotors crack under track conditions eventually, especially if there is insufficient cooling to rotor. You have to look for the tell tale signs around the edge of the rotors to see the beginnings of cracks starting. I've seen non-slotted rotors crack all the way through where someone ignored those signs. The issue with cross-drilled is that the crack tends to play "connect the dots" and can turn from a minor check to a major crack fairly quickly, the stock Corvette Z06 has this issue.

You are correct that many race teams use them for the added bite, but they are also running massive brake ducts so they can maintain temperatures in their target range, and like you said replace/rebuild on a regular basis.

I wouldn't run them myself, they just don't hold up as long at the track.

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11-18-2009, 02:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
imag Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 446 Drives: up the wall Rep Power: 17	I am wondering if AP- Chris and/or Gary could weigh in on this, as it's something I have always wondered. A friend of mine from Wilwood said that cross drilled rotors are a bad idea for anyone except a racing team, where they really need the weight savings and can afford to replace rotors after every race. It certainly seems true that low-end cross drilled rotors crack. That said, top-line Porsches (GT3, etc.) and others have cross drilled brakes and they seem to do okay at the track. Can you guys settle this once and for all? Looks aside, when does it make sense to go cross drilled, if ever?

11-18-2009, 02:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 654	All rotors crack under track conditions eventually, especially if there is insufficient cooling to rotor. You have to look for the tell tale signs around the edge of the rotors to see the beginnings of cracks starting. I've seen non-slotted rotors crack all the way through where someone ignored those signs. The issue with cross-drilled is that the crack tends to play "connect the dots" and can turn from a minor check to a major crack fairly quickly, the stock Corvette Z06 has this issue. You are correct that many race teams use them for the added bite, but they are also running massive brake ducts so they can maintain temperatures in their target range, and like you said replace/rebuild on a regular basis. I wouldn't run them myself, they just don't hold up as long at the track.