rikhek

Rock Auto lists two different Raybestos rotors. For example for the right front they list:

#56700R for $16.02 - 12.8" dia. - Red Label

#56700 for $20.99 - 12.8" dia. - PG Plus

Here's the link:

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,1896

Which is the correct one? I'd prefer to run the cheaper rotor but don't know if there is a difference.

Thanks in advance.

Rick

freefall

I ordered one set of each to find out that very thing...visually, they are IDENTICAL! I can't say if there is some metallurgical difference, but all stampings, etc. are the same.

Wicked Weasel

I was told not to run the Red Label, but I forget why now - guess old age is kicking in since it was only 2 weeks ago that I asked

AU N EGL

"R" stands for Drill & Slotted. Dont get those

wtknght1

You won't get any Corvette rotors from Rock Auto that have been drilled and slotted!!!!

Just get the cheapest ones. They are all the same - made in Canada with different boxes and labels - that's it.

Wicked Weasel

there has to be some difference (even if it doesnt really matter) otherwise why would they label them differently.

AU N EGL

I stand correcte. Get the cheap ones and have at it.

freefall

There sure should be some difference - I wasn't willing to pay (yes, $$$) to call the raybestos tech line to find out though...

Wicked Weasel

I sent an email to rockauto asking for the difference between the PG Plus and the Red Label. hopefully they get back to me.

UstaB-GS549

Red Label rotors for the Pontiac Grand Am were marked "Made In China" on the box. The rotors themselves had no markings except some stamping on the edge.

I got the $16 rotors for the Z06 last time and am pretty sure they were not made in China. I believe they were the same as the Delco/Raybestos rotors that I bought from Rock Auto the time before for about $20-$24. In any case, they have 3 speed events on them and have the usual heat checks in the surface.

Wicked Weasel

thanks - I know the $20-$24 the boxes are labeled MAde in Canada. If the Red Label is the same then I can't see why not go with the cheaper ones.

wtknght1

They are ALL made in Canada. Get the cheap ones... You get a full set delivered to your door for under $100. Just about all the T1 guys run them.

Why are the different labels priced differently?? The same reason the same product is priced differently at different stores you go into...and the same reason gas is priced differently at different locations.

freefall

Yes, the Red Label boxes are stamped "Made In Canada"

Kanmer

You guys are the best. I just ordered 4 rotors and pads for all 4 wheels (street use only) for under $200 shipped to the door. I will be ordering 2 more sets of rotors for track use shortly. CMP is coming up

Bob

varkwso

Spare seasoned rotors and pads are always a good idea at CMP (and Road Atlanta.....and Sebring.....)

ddl6289

I've been getting the "napa" rotors from Rockauto for some time. Recently I decided to get a set of plain Brembo rotors for my C5. Much to my surprise they are identical to the rockauto rotors from Canada. There must be a foundry in Canada where these are made and the various companies are labeling/placing them into there own boxes for retail sales.

c4cruiser

I bought a set of Brembo standard rotors for my 87 last year, and they were stamped "Made in Canada". Guess there must be a Canadian company with a big contract for supplying rotors for different companies.

Maybe it's just me, but I feel a little safer with something like brake rotors that are made in North America on my car compared to "Made in China".

Kanmer

Ok, I am new to this road racing thing. (Participating anyway) What is the best way to "Season" rotors? I have heard several things but I want to hear it here.

TIA
Bob

Bad Machine

Thats how it starts!

UstaB-GS549

I like to use allspice.

I think that seasoning is a term someone made up. When bedding brake pads some of the pad material is transfered to the rotor. This near invisible amount of pad material affects braking performance... usually in a good way. Other that that heat cycling a rotor has no effect. If it was truly stress relieving the rotor, it would probably change shape and have to be re-machined.

The rotors themselves are damaged by uneven heating and cooling. If one surface heats or cools faster than the rest, the rotor gets distorted and cracks on the surface that is in tension. The first cracks are usually small and at the surface. Typically they grow until the rotor fractures from the hat to the outside diameter. Most people try to guess when the little craks are big enough and replace them. They usually crack after sitting in the pits for a few minutes while cooling down. If you go out on the track and ignore that subtle brake vibration, then you are risking a catastrophic rotor failure.

You can help them live longer by taking time to warm up brakes with slow laps and gentle braking and cool down laps at the end of sessions. Sometimes that isn't possible or practical depending on type of track event you are competing in.

All race cars have this problem to a certain extent, but the tracked C5 rotors seem to crack more than any other car I have owned. I'm convinced that it has something to do with the geometry as all brands of replacement rotors crack eventualy.