Aftermarket Brake rotors experience:

Koenigturbo

Active Member
Oct 4, 2006
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36
Oxnard CA
Two part question:
Qeustion one:
Anyone have experience with aftermarket rotors, EX: the slotted or drilled type? I know when you buy entery level replacement rotors from a Parts store, they are most deffinely thiner rotor, that's why you get for what you pay for. Any one have issue's with ebay rotor's such as "Elite trading" they claim that their Mkiii rotors are from "Brembo" What about other brands "Disc Itaila"or Rotara"?

Part two: Anyone experience offset or centerline change's on your wheels when you installed aftermarket rotor's? As i've mentioned earlier, the cheapies from the parts store are thinner (i've compared it) so, that let me to believe, if the rotor is thinner, then what are the chance's of the mounting boss being thinner?
I'm just curious, I need to know this before I buy wheels for my car, so I can get an accurate measurment for the offset,... Thank you!!

Brake and wheel "Newbie"
Edit:

Please read: I wasn't asking about which is better drilled or slotted rotors. I was asking about what you guys thought about the rotors from ebay, such as "Elite Trading" and the others that are on Ebay, Are they good quality, any issues? I want to know,..Do you get for what you pay for? Are these cheesy, thin, and not worth the money? What did you think or brands like "Rotara" Disc Itaila" or Power Slot, Brembo, E.T.C. Sorry It was confusing.
Also, do you guys think the ones from the aftermarket store's like, (Auto Zone),I heard they are are inferior,and Thinner. Compared to like, Rotara, Brenbo E.T.C. If they are they thinner on the disc, then that would let to believe the mounting boss is thinner as well. Are the cheapies on ebay the thinner rotors? And if they are thinner on the mounting boss, did it effect the wheel center line and off set of your wheels? Did this help??? Sorry guys, girls I don't explain myself very well.
Thanks !!!
 
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Keros

Canadian Bacon
Mar 16, 2007
825
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Calgary
I couldn't measure the thickness of the mounting flange very soon, but I could in a few days, comparing it from my old rotors (assuming they're stock), to my powerslots.

I bought slotted/coated powerslot rotors from DM, and they are cast out of pure win. I probably owe those brakes my life, more than once.

In choosing between drilled and slotted, get slotted: they're stronger and resist heat-induced stress cracking far better than drilled. Getting both drilled and slotted reduces the mass (and thus the heat handling) of the rotor, which may not be good but is offset by the increased surface area. I would recommend either blanks for longevity, or slotted for moderate performance at the sacrifice of longevity (pads won't last as long, yo!), and drilled and slotted for pure performance. Drilled rotors, as mentioned, are vulnerable to stress cracking (specifically when the holes are aftermarket drilled and not factory cast)... you'll want to inspect them regularly for the problem, and make sure not to park the car with steaming hot brakes.

Fade and operating temprature are characteristics of the pads used, not so much the rotor. Slotting/drilling does reduce fade, but for the most part it just raises the threshold point where the pads start to fade. For regular driving, organic pads will last the longest, work the quietest, and fade the fastest, and refuse to work while hot: basically the mini-van economy pad. Ceramic and Semi-metallic will work decently well cold, may squeal under some pressures (inherant in the pad, not installation), but have excellent fade characteristics at high temprature: the best for all-around spirited driving. Full-Metal squeal like hell, don't work worth a damn stone cold, obliterate rotors, but stop like no body's buisiness on a track: top performance at the track and suck balls on the street.

I realize the OP didn't ask about pads... but it's a common misconception that the rotors are the start and end of brake issues like fade... when it's just as much to do with the pads.
 

Poodles

I play with fire
Jul 22, 2006
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Fort Worth, TX
Having both drilled and slotted is pure ricer crap...

One or the other, and I prefure slotted as crossdrilled causes cracking.

Also, on our cars the issue that I've seen is boiling brake fluid because the caliper can't dissipate the heat. Given that's from driving on a fast track.

Brembo is alright, Powerslots are made from Brembo, I've heard Rotora is good quality, and I've seen some really nice Delphi rotors...
 

xarewhyayen

276 whp - 324 tq @ 13psi
Oct 3, 2005
959
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39
Philly
Poodles;1092017 said:
Also, on our cars the issue that I've seen is boiling brake fluid because the caliper can't dissipate the heat. Given that's from driving on a fast track.

Do a brake flush and replace with the blue racing fluid if youre gonna track the car. (dont use silicone based fluid, it foams in abs systems and water pools rather than absorbs) You get a much higher boiling point. People dont flush their brake fluid nearly enough as is. Thats probably why. Brake fluid is hygroscopic (it absorbs water from the air) and water just lowers the boiling point of the fluid.
 

theKnifeArtist

Fire on High!
Apr 6, 2006
2,332
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North Jersey
compliments about powerslots? hmmm

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/pts/756241531.html

thats near me, so i was thinking about picking them up..they're poweslots..powerslots dont make drilled right? just slotted?
they really suck at emailing, so i don't know what kind of pads they're selling.
how much are these powerslots better than stock? because i might just slap some pads on, cus my rotors are smooth. i used a dial-finger to figure this one out, hehe
 

Koenigturbo

Active Member
Oct 4, 2006
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36
Oxnard CA
I have heard the slotted rotors they, "Shave" the pads faster. Like taking a knife and slicing the pad for a fresh surface.
 

suprabad

Coitus Non Circum
Jul 12, 2005
1,796
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Down Like A Clown Charley Brown
Koenigturbo;1092279 said:
I have heard the slotted rotors they, "Shave" the pads faster. Like taking a knife and slicing the pad for a fresh surface.

I've heard people say that before, but it's not quite accurate...

The slots are to expell the heat and gasses that result from a heated brake pad. Next time you change your pads have a look at them. Do you see little hairline cracks all along the surface of the pad? Those are caused by the trapped hot gasses I mentioned.
 

gaboonviper85

Supramania Contributor
Jan 13, 2008
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Northeast Philly
I have the brembo blank rotors and I loves them!!! With the bpr ultimate pads I have yet to experience fadeing (although I don't race) but from time to time I'll play around.