Going from Chinese rotors to a 2pc... What can I expect?
06-17-2014, 11:42 AM
#1
Going from Chinese rotors to a 2pc... What can I expect?
Hi all...
For the past 3 years I've been running cheapo rotors - typically replacing them after 6 to 8 20min sessions. Last summer I spent $600 in fronts for 8 track days.
I just put on my 1st ever set of 2pc rotors -- 500$ KNS 4K rotors, apparently they are the same as the DBA 5000 T3 stuff without the fancy slots.
What can I expect from these? I have 6 track days left for the season... Will they last that long?
FYI: I have 3in ducting with custom tubing, feeding into the center part of the rotors.
For the past 3 years I've been running cheapo rotors - typically replacing them after 6 to 8 20min sessions. Last summer I spent $600 in fronts for 8 track days.
I just put on my 1st ever set of 2pc rotors -- 500$ KNS 4K rotors, apparently they are the same as the DBA 5000 T3 stuff without the fancy slots.
What can I expect from these? I have 6 track days left for the season... Will they last that long?
FYI: I have 3in ducting with custom tubing, feeding into the center part of the rotors.
Last edited by Z06VENOM; 06-17-2014 at 11:45 AM.
06-17-2014, 12:38 PM
#2
Racer
Hi all...
For the past 3 years I've been running cheapo rotors - typically replacing them after 6 to 8 20min sessions. Last summer I spent $600 in fronts for 8 track days.
I just put on my 1st ever set of 2pc rotors -- 500$ KNS 4K rotors, apparently they are the same as the DBA 5000 T3 stuff without the fancy slots.
What can I expect from these? I have 6 track days left for the season... Will they last that long?
FYI: I have 3in ducting with custom tubing, feeding into the center part of the rotors.
For the past 3 years I've been running cheapo rotors - typically replacing them after 6 to 8 20min sessions. Last summer I spent $600 in fronts for 8 track days.
I just put on my 1st ever set of 2pc rotors -- 500$ KNS 4K rotors, apparently they are the same as the DBA 5000 T3 stuff without the fancy slots.
What can I expect from these? I have 6 track days left for the season... Will they last that long?
FYI: I have 3in ducting with custom tubing, feeding into the center part of the rotors.
What pads are you using? Are all you track days at Mosport or are they on other tracks?
I used to get 20 sessions out of Z51 stock rotors with Quantum ducts and Carbo XP 12. With the race car and the Brembo GT's running Brembo rotor rings (>$400 each) and Pagid RS19's, I can get 50+ sessions. But those are HPDE sessions, not TT sessions (i.e. I am only running 2 super hot laps per session and the rest are momentum laps with much less braking).
06-17-2014, 12:43 PM
#3
Safety Car
Member Since: Nov 2000
Location: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
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You should be able to run the rest of the season on those rotors. I switched from china crap (2 weekends) to the DBA 5000 units. Last year I ran almost the entire season (8 out of 10) events on one set of rings. Well worth the $, especially not having to change rotors every other weekend.
06-17-2014, 01:15 PM
#4
If you go through the cheapo's in 6 - 8 sessions, I would estimate that you won't get more than 14 sessions out of the 2pc rotors.
What pads are you using? Are all you track days at Mosport or are they on other tracks?
I used to get 20 sessions out of Z51 stock rotors with Quantum ducts and Carbo XP 12. With the race car and the Brembo GT's running Brembo rotor rings (>$400 each) and Pagid RS19's, I can get 50+ sessions. But those are HPDE sessions, not TT sessions (i.e. I am only running 2 super hot laps per session and the rest are momentum laps with much less braking).
What pads are you using? Are all you track days at Mosport or are they on other tracks?
I used to get 20 sessions out of Z51 stock rotors with Quantum ducts and Carbo XP 12. With the race car and the Brembo GT's running Brembo rotor rings (>$400 each) and Pagid RS19's, I can get 50+ sessions. But those are HPDE sessions, not TT sessions (i.e. I am only running 2 super hot laps per session and the rest are momentum laps with much less braking).
I find Mosport fairly easy on brakes, mind you I am only running 1.29's on a GOOD day...
TMP at 1.16's is much harder.
For pads I am running Wilwood H compound .
06-17-2014, 01:18 PM
#5
You should be able to run the rest of the season on those rotors. I switched from china crap (2 weekends) to the DBA 5000 units. Last year I ran almost the entire season (8 out of 10) events on one set of rings. Well worth the $, especially not having to change rotors every other weekend.
06-18-2014, 02:08 AM
#6
Safety Car
You should be able to run the rest of the season on those rotors. I switched from china crap (2 weekends) to the DBA 5000 units. Last year I ran almost the entire season (8 out of 10) events on one set of rings. Well worth the $, especially not having to change rotors every other weekend.
I get most if not all the season out of my Stoptech rings.$300 per year for rings and no middle of my session wrenching on hot rotors. WELL worth it.
06-18-2014, 02:53 PM
#7
Drifting
06-18-2014, 02:55 PM
#8
Drifting
About 3-4 times the annual cost for rotors ...
06-18-2014, 05:45 PM
#9
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Oct 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
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On my C6Z I tried the AFX/Coleman two piece heavy duty rotors. First set of rings lasted 7 track days, second set of rings lasted about 5. A set of replacement rings ran me around $500. The problem is I can get 5 days out of cheapo replacement rotors from Advance Auto or GM OEM Rotors. Both cost a little less than $100 ea. No way the math adds up.I have a set of Wilwood G37 two piece rotors on the car now. Ring replacement is a little more expensive than the Colemans but they have lasted through 10 track days although with some pretty heavy heat checking.
Bill
06-19-2014, 08:29 AM
#11
Drifting
06-19-2014, 08:36 AM
#12
Drifting
I used to get 20 sessions out of Z51 stock rotors with Quantum ducts and Carbo XP 12. With the race car and the Brembo GT's running Brembo rotor rings (>$400 each) and Pagid RS19's, I can get 50+ sessions. But those are HPDE sessions, not TT sessions (i.e. I am only running 2 super hot laps per session and the rest are momentum laps with much less braking).
OEM ~ $100 / 20 = $5 session
Cool stuff 400 / 50 = $8 session
Last edited by rbl; 06-19-2014 at 08:39 AM.
06-19-2014, 09:11 AM
#13
Racer
Carbotech probably has the easiest pads for rotors.
There is not even a comparison on life on a chinese parts store rotor and a Wilwood, DBA, or Coleman ring. In March 2011 I cracked a nearly new chinese rotor on the warm up lap behind the pace car, putting heat into the brakes. That was in for me. I put on a set of Wilwood Spec37 rings after and in March 2013 they were finally done and I put on a set of 5000 DBA's (rotor walls are .100" thicker) this past Feb. At one point I did the math on how many days they had on them, I can't remember the number but it was MULTIPLE dozens, including 2011 NASA nationals racing and TT'ing, and other races and TT days in the mix between then and March 2013 (car went through a rebuild from March '13 to Feb '14).
There is not even a comparison on life on a chinese parts store rotor and a Wilwood, DBA, or Coleman ring. In March 2011 I cracked a nearly new chinese rotor on the warm up lap behind the pace car, putting heat into the brakes. That was in for me. I put on a set of Wilwood Spec37 rings after and in March 2013 they were finally done and I put on a set of 5000 DBA's (rotor walls are .100" thicker) this past Feb. At one point I did the math on how many days they had on them, I can't remember the number but it was MULTIPLE dozens, including 2011 NASA nationals racing and TT'ing, and other races and TT days in the mix between then and March 2013 (car went through a rebuild from March '13 to Feb '14).
06-19-2014, 02:29 PM
#14
And 90% of the folks I have seen toss out the OEM Z51 rotor much too early. It is a full MM thicker on the inside than others and I have never, never (but there probably is one out there) seen one actually crack like the C5 rotors. They get small cracks and look pretty rough but they just keep on :
06-19-2014, 02:48 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
Carbotech probably has the easiest pads for rotors.
There is not even a comparison on life on a chinese parts store rotor and a Wilwood, DBA, or Coleman ring. In March 2011 I cracked a nearly new chinese rotor on the warm up lap behind the pace car, putting heat into the brakes. That was in for me. I put on a set of Wilwood Spec37 rings after and in March 2013 they were finally done and I put on a set of 5000 DBA's (rotor walls are .100" thicker) this past Feb. At one point I did the math on how many days they had on them, I can't remember the number but it was MULTIPLE dozens, including 2011 NASA nationals racing and TT'ing, and other races and TT days in the mix between then and March 2013 (car went through a rebuild from March '13 to Feb '14).
There is not even a comparison on life on a chinese parts store rotor and a Wilwood, DBA, or Coleman ring. In March 2011 I cracked a nearly new chinese rotor on the warm up lap behind the pace car, putting heat into the brakes. That was in for me. I put on a set of Wilwood Spec37 rings after and in March 2013 they were finally done and I put on a set of 5000 DBA's (rotor walls are .100" thicker) this past Feb. At one point I did the math on how many days they had on them, I can't remember the number but it was MULTIPLE dozens, including 2011 NASA nationals racing and TT'ing, and other races and TT days in the mix between then and March 2013 (car went through a rebuild from March '13 to Feb '14).
What caliper and pads?
06-19-2014, 02:54 PM
#16
Drifting
While most people have given their take I find this question very difficult to answer without knowing your skill level and more importantly which track you go to the most.
I run in the Advanced Group with Chin and have found my brakes last A LOT longer if I track Road Atlanta all the time versus Sebring.
Even with AP rotors and calipers I still go through my rotors almost as much as I did DBA4000's. It's just so hard on brakes.
I run in the Advanced Group with Chin and have found my brakes last A LOT longer if I track Road Atlanta all the time versus Sebring.
Even with AP rotors and calipers I still go through my rotors almost as much as I did DBA4000's. It's just so hard on brakes.
06-19-2014, 03:10 PM
#17
While most people have given their take I find this question very difficult to answer without knowing your skill level and more importantly which track you go to the most.
I run in the Advanced Group with Chin and have found my brakes last A LOT longer if I track Road Atlanta all the time versus Sebring.
Even with AP rotors and calipers I still go through my rotors almost as much as I did DBA4000's. It's just so hard on brakes.
I run in the Advanced Group with Chin and have found my brakes last A LOT longer if I track Road Atlanta all the time versus Sebring.
Even with AP rotors and calipers I still go through my rotors almost as much as I did DBA4000's. It's just so hard on brakes.
Mid Ohio couple weeks ago: cracked a rotor after 6 x 20 min sessions...
06-19-2014, 03:31 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
Are you running your rotors on the street to season them first or are you hitting the track with brand new ones? I've noticed a HUGE difference in rotor life if I run them on the street for a while before using them for track duty.
06-19-2014, 03:41 PM
#19
