Slotted Rotors vs. Conventional?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 155
Likes: 5
From: Illinois
Slotted Rotors vs. Conventional?
I'm trying to decide if it's worth the $1,000+ difference for drilled and slotted rotor style brakes vs. conventional Corvette OEM rotors. What do you think?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
If I was to put slotted and/or cross drilled rotors on my car it would be mostly for appearance purposes than anything else.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 155
Likes: 5
From: Illinois
I agree on the "appearance" issue. That's probably why I was even thinking about putting them on the car. However, some people say the slotted rotors will decrease stopping distance. Is this true?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
The slots/holes are there to let gas escape from repeated, hard-braking as would be experienced on a road course. While it is true that you will loose some braking surface due to these machining marks, personally I don't think you will see any measurable decrease in stopping distance. Your pads should be where you focus your attention if braking distance is of concern or that is my opinion anyway.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
There's definitely a time and place where slotted rotors are a good call (see post #6), but IMHO unless you plan on doing some tracking they're difficult to justify. Then again, if they're strictly for bling / bragging rights, then by all means you should definitely waste your money on them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Brisbane Queensland
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
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From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
Get a quality brake pad like the Carbotech 1521 pad. If you are interested I will be happy to help you.
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
If you can lock up the tires now, then no. And even if you can't lock the tires, a rotor will not make a difference unless yours are glazed. You'd want to look at a more appropriate pad before throwing money down a bling rotor rat hole.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
If you're serious and want more braking, consider upgrading to C5 calipers and rotors, front and back. It will be far cheaper, and more effective than drilled/slotted cheapies.
FWIW,
P.
Last edited by Paul Workman; Apr 18, 2013 at 01:18 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 281
From: New York
Have you ever run the car so hard that you gassed your pads? Probably not.
I gassed my pads once at Bridgehampton many years ago. Pad material has improved so much that even in time trials, I never have issues. Get good pads, make sure the calipers are not leaking (change brake fluid) and check for excessive run-out in the rotors and if you really need it, add venting to the brakes (more for tracked cars). I see no reason to need special rotors if the basics are covered.
But if you want them for looks......
I gassed my pads once at Bridgehampton many years ago. Pad material has improved so much that even in time trials, I never have issues. Get good pads, make sure the calipers are not leaking (change brake fluid) and check for excessive run-out in the rotors and if you really need it, add venting to the brakes (more for tracked cars). I see no reason to need special rotors if the basics are covered.
But if you want them for looks......
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 87
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
I used to drive the country roads daily with my old daily driver. The roads had lots of turns and a 55mph speed limit. Many days I would feel my brakes get soft on me (one time they were smoking). I put drilled and slotted rotors on, and never had those issues again. Now I don't drive those country roads anymore, so I don't have the need for drilled and slotted rotors anymore.
Race Director
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Team Owner
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