1990z51

Does anyone know if the cross drilled brakes with the Z51 package provide a performance advantage or do they just look cool?

Would it be the same for Z06?

Another Yellow

Just looks.

YellaFella

All cross Drilled/Forged rotors just look cool.

TommyV

Cross drilling is mostly cosmetic. Under severe use, cross drilled brakes can crack. Slotted or dimpled is better.

Mighty-Mouse

Fact or Fiction: Drilled/Slotted rotors improve braking

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1024509


Sorry there's just to much to re-type

Alex Levy

Correct they can crack however CAST "drilled" rotors are much stronger. They are cast with the whole pattern from the get go and not drilled after the fact thus not sacrificing structural rigidity. They also serve a very decent functional purpose but are extremely expensive

BEZ06

Take a look at this posting in the Tech Section:

Brakes: Compilation of Threads

Click on the first thread about drilled and slotted rotors and you'll get a wealth of info on the issue.

Bob

Alex Levy

Wow there is a ton of misinformation in that thread.. the only viable ones are the ones who pasted from Stoptech and to a point wilwood (who's standard non-race brake kits mind you are total crapola).

Bottom line.. CROSS DRILLED Rotors are for Bling

jazzlove

Looks only, per Dave Hill...

AC54ME

2005ArcticWhite

They LOOK Cool:

Datawiz

They do look cool. Obviously, a lot of people think so, that's why GM has to put the Z51 on restriction. I don't think they planned on selling so many.

Curtis A. Franz

lets dimension that a bit better. The cross drilling does nothing for better stopping. However, the Z51 package also has bigger diameter rotors that do contribute to better stopping.

Datawiz

Good point. And they look cool too!

yell01

...really cool!

Alex Levy

I think thats true and untrue.. Let me explain..

I dont believe the Pad surface increased between the Z51 and the base. The rotors are larger but the pads arent. While the larger rotors help with cooling, unless you are doing a SLGP (Stop Light Gran Prix) on the street you shouldnt be heating the brakes up enough that it makes a difference in stopping Track use it probably helps a BIT but due to the cross drilled rotors on the Z51, a bit of hard track use and they will crumble.

natejohn

Wouldn't the "swept area" be larger due to the increased diameter?

Also - wouldn't the "leverage" increase due to the outer portion of the larger rotor rotating at a slower speed?

Also - wouldn't the "heat sink" factor be less because of the extra material?

Of course the larger rotor is heavier.......(but still looks cooler)

Alex Levy

Not really.. Braking occurs when material touches material. (As basic as that sounds).. If the pad surface doesnt increase with the rotor you might actually be hurting the performance because you are adding unsprung weight. (Not sure if this is the case as i havent measured Z51 vs NON) but if you go with a larger rotor and dont add more pad surface you are adding more unsprung weight and not making it "Worth While" by not increasing material to material contact. The heat sink factor shouldnt really occur during normal street driving or hell even during "Spirited" driving. If you cook your brakes on the street, you are doing something illegal

offshore

I want a set of those rotors...help

GGWOODY

Though cross-drilling looks cool...Also helps to keep rotors cooled down under intense conditions. More exposed surface area = more heat transfer potential/capability.