Cross drilled rotors: A Mistake?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: West Chester, PA, USA
Cross drilled rotors: A Mistake?
Ok so I need new rotors for my 97 Accord LX 4 cyl. and have been looking online. I was pretty sure I was going to get them from EBAY for $95 shipped for brembo drilled and slotted... the consensus was that was a good deal.
Then I get this e-mail from groupbuycenter.com today and decide to check it out. They have solid Brembo rotors for $27 a piece, not sure what shipping would be yet (I e-mailed them), and they preface their sales piece with this tidbit of info below; how accurate is this? I don't want to pay more if there will be a negligible improvement in stopping and I am looking at having to replace them because of warping/cracking in the near future.
From GBC:
Brembo OE "blank" rotors offer better performance than Cross-drilled rotors. Cross-drilled rotors might look "cool", but what are they really doing for performance? Brake rotors were first "drilled" in the 40's and 50's because early brake pad materials gave off gasses when heated to racing temperatures, which is called "gassing out". These gasses then formed a thin layer between the brake pad face and the rotor, effectively lowering the coefficient of friction. The "cross drilled" holes were implemented to give the gasses a place to escape. Today’s brake pad materials do not exhibit the same gassing out problems as these early (old) pads. Also, there are many companies that sell "cheap" cross-drilled and slotted rotors. They do this by purchasing Brembo blanks and having them cheaply altered by a third party. Doing this sacrifices the rotors structural integrity, and can be a huge safety risk. If you contact Brembo, they will not recognize these discs after they have been altered. These rotors are known to crack and warp very quickly. If you want the actual Brembo cross drilled and slotted rotors you will be paying much more. That's why these blanks are perfect; they perform better, do not tear through pads, are priced much lower, and are much safer. Get yourself a set today!
Then I get this e-mail from groupbuycenter.com today and decide to check it out. They have solid Brembo rotors for $27 a piece, not sure what shipping would be yet (I e-mailed them), and they preface their sales piece with this tidbit of info below; how accurate is this? I don't want to pay more if there will be a negligible improvement in stopping and I am looking at having to replace them because of warping/cracking in the near future.
From GBC:
Brembo OE "blank" rotors offer better performance than Cross-drilled rotors. Cross-drilled rotors might look "cool", but what are they really doing for performance? Brake rotors were first "drilled" in the 40's and 50's because early brake pad materials gave off gasses when heated to racing temperatures, which is called "gassing out". These gasses then formed a thin layer between the brake pad face and the rotor, effectively lowering the coefficient of friction. The "cross drilled" holes were implemented to give the gasses a place to escape. Today’s brake pad materials do not exhibit the same gassing out problems as these early (old) pads. Also, there are many companies that sell "cheap" cross-drilled and slotted rotors. They do this by purchasing Brembo blanks and having them cheaply altered by a third party. Doing this sacrifices the rotors structural integrity, and can be a huge safety risk. If you contact Brembo, they will not recognize these discs after they have been altered. These rotors are known to crack and warp very quickly. If you want the actual Brembo cross drilled and slotted rotors you will be paying much more. That's why these blanks are perfect; they perform better, do not tear through pads, are priced much lower, and are much safer. Get yourself a set today!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
From: Peach, usa
Re: Cross drilled rotors: A Mistake? (sashimi)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sashimi »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ok so I need new rotors for my 97 Accord LX 4 cyl. and have been looking online. I was pretty sure I was going to get them from EBAY for $95 shipped for brembo drilled and slotted... the consensus was that was a good deal.
Then I get this e-mail from groupbuycenter.com today and decide to check it out. They have solid Brembo rotors for $27 a piece, not sure what shipping would be yet (I e-mailed them), and they preface their sales piece with this tidbit of info below; how accurate is this? I don't want to pay more if there will be a negligible improvement in stopping and I am looking at having to replace them because of warping/cracking in the near future.
From GBC:
Brembo OE "blank" rotors offer better performance than Cross-drilled rotors. Cross-drilled rotors might look "cool", but what are they really doing for performance? Brake rotors were first "drilled" in the 40's and 50's because early brake pad materials gave off gasses when heated to racing temperatures, which is called "gassing out". These gasses then formed a thin layer between the brake pad face and the rotor, effectively lowering the coefficient of friction. The "cross drilled" holes were implemented to give the gasses a place to escape. Today’s brake pad materials do not exhibit the same gassing out problems as these early (old) pads. Also, there are many companies that sell "cheap" cross-drilled and slotted rotors. They do this by purchasing Brembo blanks and having them cheaply altered by a third party. Doing this sacrifices the rotors structural integrity, and can be a huge safety risk. If you contact Brembo, they will not recognize these discs after they have been altered. These rotors are known to crack and warp very quickly. If you want the actual Brembo cross drilled and slotted rotors you will be paying much more. That's why these blanks are perfect; they perform better, do not tear through pads, are priced much lower, and are much safer. Get yourself a set today!
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Having Brembo Cross Drilled for a while now. Performance is way better than OE rotors. Cross Drilled rotors help a lot with eliminating brake fade.
Then I get this e-mail from groupbuycenter.com today and decide to check it out. They have solid Brembo rotors for $27 a piece, not sure what shipping would be yet (I e-mailed them), and they preface their sales piece with this tidbit of info below; how accurate is this? I don't want to pay more if there will be a negligible improvement in stopping and I am looking at having to replace them because of warping/cracking in the near future.
From GBC:
Brembo OE "blank" rotors offer better performance than Cross-drilled rotors. Cross-drilled rotors might look "cool", but what are they really doing for performance? Brake rotors were first "drilled" in the 40's and 50's because early brake pad materials gave off gasses when heated to racing temperatures, which is called "gassing out". These gasses then formed a thin layer between the brake pad face and the rotor, effectively lowering the coefficient of friction. The "cross drilled" holes were implemented to give the gasses a place to escape. Today’s brake pad materials do not exhibit the same gassing out problems as these early (old) pads. Also, there are many companies that sell "cheap" cross-drilled and slotted rotors. They do this by purchasing Brembo blanks and having them cheaply altered by a third party. Doing this sacrifices the rotors structural integrity, and can be a huge safety risk. If you contact Brembo, they will not recognize these discs after they have been altered. These rotors are known to crack and warp very quickly. If you want the actual Brembo cross drilled and slotted rotors you will be paying much more. That's why these blanks are perfect; they perform better, do not tear through pads, are priced much lower, and are much safer. Get yourself a set today!
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Having Brembo Cross Drilled for a while now. Performance is way better than OE rotors. Cross Drilled rotors help a lot with eliminating brake fade.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 803
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Re: Cross drilled rotors: A Mistake? (xbn83)
i bought the blanks from a seller on HT along with some axxis ultimates, and they are great, after shipping for all pads and rotors, it was like $247 and that was to the east coast b/c they are based on the west coast. i would be careful with ebay stuff, they drill the rotors them selves, so there is always quality issues
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
From: Peach, usa
Re: Cross drilled rotors: A Mistake? (jbkiksass69)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jbkiksass69 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i bought the blanks from a seller on HT along with some axxis ultimates, and they are great, after shipping for all pads and rotors, it was like $247 and that was to the east coast b/c they are based on the west coast. i would be careful with ebay stuff, they drill the rotors them selves, so there is always quality issues</TD></TR></TABLE>
I bought from NOPI, 100% Brembo. Also bought Axxis Ultimate pads. Total ~260
I bought from NOPI, 100% Brembo. Also bought Axxis Ultimate pads. Total ~260
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: West Chester, PA, USA
Re: Cross drilled rotors: A Mistake? (xbn83)
The EBAY seller has like 2300+ transactions with like 99.7% positive feedback.
I really didn't want to spend $260ish because the existing pads are still good, also, I am trying to do this on a budget b/c there are a few other things which are gonna be $$$ in the near future that I would rather spend on like timing belt service, etc, which is overdue by about 7K mi already, and a few other maintenance things which are more critical than a 5-10ft shorter stopping distance.
I guess I'll wait to hear back from the GBC vendor and then make up my mind. I don't mind sacrificing some pad life for increased stopping power but if the rotors are going to warp it's not worth it to me.
I really didn't want to spend $260ish because the existing pads are still good, also, I am trying to do this on a budget b/c there are a few other things which are gonna be $$$ in the near future that I would rather spend on like timing belt service, etc, which is overdue by about 7K mi already, and a few other maintenance things which are more critical than a 5-10ft shorter stopping distance.
I guess I'll wait to hear back from the GBC vendor and then make up my mind. I don't mind sacrificing some pad life for increased stopping power but if the rotors are going to warp it's not worth it to me.
Trending Topics
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,456
Likes: 10
From: New England, USA
Re: Cross drilled rotors: A Mistake? (sashimi)
Quick test on your Yah or Nay question. If cross drilled rotors are no longer valid because of brake pad material usage, then why are they stiil being used in everything from Indy cars to Nascar?
Expanding gases are the same, from whatever they come from
Expanding gases are the same, from whatever they come from
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
From: Peach, usa
Re: (jake15348)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jake15348 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also, cross drilled rotors are notorious for cracking, no matter what the brand... I would just get slotted rotors</TD></TR></TABLE>
That is SO not true. If it is like you said, how some expensive cars like Mercedes, BMW, Porsche come stock with these cross drilled? You think their engineers are all stupid?
Modified by xbn83 at 11:54 PM 5/8/2005
That is SO not true. If it is like you said, how some expensive cars like Mercedes, BMW, Porsche come stock with these cross drilled? You think their engineers are all stupid?
Modified by xbn83 at 11:54 PM 5/8/2005
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,222
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
Re: (xbn83)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by xbn83 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That is SO not true. If it is like you said, how some expensive cars like Mercedes, BMW, Porsche come stock with these cross drilled? You think their engineers are all stupid?
Modified by xbn83 at 11:54 PM 5/8/2005</TD></TR></TABLE>
just to let you know, yes most of the brembo drilled rotor, brembo didn't drilled them, some guy at a machine shop is doing the work.
in theory you are right, drilled rotor on 911, amg, etc
but ask the real guy driving a honda with them, most of the people i know have shitty luck with it. I am not saying you are wrong and brembo is bad, all i am saying is, brembo or not those drilled rotor are know for cracking.
Modified by xbn83 at 11:54 PM 5/8/2005</TD></TR></TABLE>
just to let you know, yes most of the brembo drilled rotor, brembo didn't drilled them, some guy at a machine shop is doing the work.
in theory you are right, drilled rotor on 911, amg, etc
but ask the real guy driving a honda with them, most of the people i know have shitty luck with it. I am not saying you are wrong and brembo is bad, all i am saying is, brembo or not those drilled rotor are know for cracking.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,222
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
Re: (Hondaaccordvtec)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hondaaccordvtec »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Be careful w/ either slotted or drilled rotors - most shops will not "turn" these if they develop "runout"/warpage over the course of use.
Just fyi......</TD></TR></TABLE>
hey remember when they first are came out for the import car?
most of the shop said it can't even be turn but it's not truth.
most of the shop might not want to do it or want to charge more for it but it definity can be turn/resurface.
Just fyi......</TD></TR></TABLE>
hey remember when they first are came out for the import car?
most of the shop said it can't even be turn but it's not truth.
most of the shop might not want to do it or want to charge more for it but it definity can be turn/resurface.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 0
From: The Emerald City, USA
Re: (iam7head)
I ran Brembo C/D rotors on my Civic.....wonderful! They didn't last but a year, but I was also racing my daily driver at the track that summer.
Had no money and needed new brakes...got Brembo OE rotors w/ Axxis pads.... still wonderful set up w/o killing me for money. Bought mine from Nopi.
My 90 Accord needs brakes within the month and it's getting Brembo and Axxis. Sticking with what I know.
Had no money and needed new brakes...got Brembo OE rotors w/ Axxis pads.... still wonderful set up w/o killing me for money. Bought mine from Nopi.
My 90 Accord needs brakes within the month and it's getting Brembo and Axxis. Sticking with what I know.
New User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5,317
Likes: 3
From: Brooklyn, NY, US
Just so you guys know, cars come with drilled/slotted rotors for reasons other than 'increased stopping power' (whatever that actually means) and resistance to fade. In fact, if anything, they decrease those characteristics.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 938
Likes: 1
From: Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX, U.S.
Re: (Accel Junky)
crossed drilled are crack prone. especially if your hard on your brakes. i have slotted and the shop won't turn those for me. i wish i would have gone solid rotors. i had develop heat spots on my rotors and since the coul hidious heat spots.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,859
Likes: 2
From: New York
Re: (xbn83)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by xbn83 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
That is SO not true. If it is like you said, how some expensive cars like Mercedes, BMW, Porsche come stock with these cross drilled? You think their engineers are all stupid?
Modified by xbn83 at 11:54 PM 5/8/2005</TD></TR></TABLE>
I read an interview with a Porsche engineer who said it was for looks on production Porsches.
The American Le Mans GT class Porsches I saw at Lime Rock Park (and most other classes in the series) had solid rotors.
The only exceptions were slotted rotors on a few cars and they only had a couple slots.
The vast majority of race cars had solid's.
That is SO not true. If it is like you said, how some expensive cars like Mercedes, BMW, Porsche come stock with these cross drilled? You think their engineers are all stupid?
Modified by xbn83 at 11:54 PM 5/8/2005</TD></TR></TABLE>
I read an interview with a Porsche engineer who said it was for looks on production Porsches.
The American Le Mans GT class Porsches I saw at Lime Rock Park (and most other classes in the series) had solid rotors.
The only exceptions were slotted rotors on a few cars and they only had a couple slots.
The vast majority of race cars had solid's.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR, US
Re: (Evil Nick M)
Just to let everyone know if you go to Brembo's website they have a warning on there that says they DO NOT sell cross drilled slotted rotors and if you have bought them they have been altered after being bought from Brembo. Also the drilled rotors that are notorious for cracking are the one's that are drilled at a machine shop, the ones bought that are produced cross drilled are not notorious for cracking.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Re: (iam7head)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by iam7head »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hey remember when they first are came out for the import car?
most of the shop said it can't even be turn but it's not truth.
most of the shop might not want to do it or want to charge more for it but it definity can be turn/resurface.</TD></TR></TABLE>
man, i got a headache reading this reply
anyway, good thread
most of the shop said it can't even be turn but it's not truth.
most of the shop might not want to do it or want to charge more for it but it definity can be turn/resurface.</TD></TR></TABLE>
man, i got a headache reading this reply
anyway, good thread
H-T Order of Merit
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 9,172
Likes: 7
From: somewhere in MI
Re: Cross drilled rotors: A Mistake?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I want to say I remember reading that crossdrilled and/or slotted rotors also tend to wear your pads faster?
I haven't had any expirience with either but I did use the Brembo blanks and carbon-metalic pads at all four corners and new fluid and I never had a problem. They were great until the car was totalled. For me, I'll just be sticking with solid rotors on my car.
I haven't had any expirience with either but I did use the Brembo blanks and carbon-metalic pads at all four corners and new fluid and I never had a problem. They were great until the car was totalled. For me, I'll just be sticking with solid rotors on my car.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ComCool
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000)
4
Feb 24, 2005 07:34 AM
