89dd

My stock 89' coupe needs brakes. Car is used mostly as a weekend cruiser. Was looking at Powerstop k1518 drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic pads kit. Anyone use these, or have any other recommendations.
Thanks in advance.

charliet615

I just installed the Summit Power Stop drilled and slotted rotors, front and rear, and ceramic pads, so far so good. Great shipping also. 93 LT1

Joe C

I just bought a set of powerstop "slotted only" rotors and evolution, carbon-ceramic, pads for my 85. it's pretty much a DD, and stock brakes are more than adequate for my needs. I use to have drilled and slotted, but noticed that I developed small hair-line cracks around the drilled holes. bought the rotors from rockauto, and the pads from summit. waiting on cooler weather for installation -

QCVette

In the C5 section there are a lot of threads about PowerStop ceramic pads with their drilled and slotted rotors. The opinions are very positive. There hundreds (maybe even a thousand) comments that like these. Good performance and the zinc plated rotors hold up well and resist rusting.

The one exception is that if you are tracking the car there have been some rotors cracking because of the drilled holes. However for street and limited track use they seem to be holding up fine.

I bought a set, but haven't put them on yet.

Cjunkie

Total overkill on an almost 30 year old car thats a weekend cruiser......UNLESS you are tracking the car every weekend.
Go to AutoZone more than sufficient. I have less than $200 in 4 new rotors and front and rear pads total on my 86 and it stops just fine like an 86 Corvette should.

mark970

i just buy my stuff from NAPA. I'm just a regular driver...not interested in performance or track related driving...plain old regular components are all i need. with that said i have no idea how much fancy rotors cost but its $200 or more for a brand name pad like Hawks when i can get ceramic pads from NAPA for $60

just my 2 cents

Joe C

, plain old components are fine for a DD. FYI, my powerstop (slotted) rotors ran about $55 each - pads, as I recall, around $60-70 - total, front and rear. not sure of how much of an upgrade these components are - I just went this route. it was kind of a toss-up - almost went with wagner OE replacement stuff.

Cjunkie

I spent $20 for my pads

QCVette

I looked at the PowerStop setup partially because they were priced so well.

I bought the C5 set for $175 for all four zinc plated drilled and slotted rotors with new Powerstop Z16 pads on all wheels.

I thought that was a great price and was less than I found at the local parts stores.

You need to evaluate what features you want and compare to prices to make your decision.

Good luck.

mark970

almost seems like "upgraded" rotors are cheaper than plain old rotors...in that case "less is more"...i will investigate for my next brake job.

thanks for the great input

johno504

NAPA sells both china and NOT china rotors. big difference in cost.

89dd

That's what I was thinking. But is there any noticeable difference over OEM, or is it just for show.

c4cruiser

No real need for drilled and slotted rotors on a car that is just a weekend ride. Stock rotors will do just fine. And with OEM wheels, you won't really see the rotors. Look at AC Delco "Professional Grade" rotors or Raybestos "Advanced Technology rotors. Centric rotor are good too.

Ceramic pads will work fine! Very little or no dust and for cruising, they will provide plenty of stopping power. Hawk has a ceramic pad set as does CarboTech. Also consider the Hawk HPS pad. These are a semi-metallic compound but they don't give off very much dust and will work for some "spirited" braking.

I would also suggest a complete brake fluid flush and refill. A good DOT3 fluid like Valvoline SynPower, Castrol LMA, or even the Ford HD Motorsports fluid will work fine for street use.

Cjunkie

I paid $36 and $40 each for my rotors.

JrRifleCoach

Nice.

How'd those dog-bone & sway-bar bushings look?
Any deep cracking on the brake lines?
Check the U-Joints for rust under the dust caps?

Paul Workman

There's (generally) two types of drilled (iron) rotors: Those WITH cracks and those that WILL have cracks!

So the question is NEED vs. LOOKS.

Need:
Fact: Once the tires lock up, no more expensive or exotic brake upgrade (pads/rotors, etc.) is going to stop any better. Tires come into play - hand in hand with brake upgrades.

Rule of thumb: Threshold limits: Only YOU can determine if your ability to stop/slow is adequate for your most aggressive demands:

If you find yourself standing on the pedal and still have traction, but not slowing fast enough, you need a better brake (rotor, pad, caliper) "system"
If you find you're anti-lock system is activating its your tires failing to grip. Tires may be in order.

Beyond NEED is WANT. The sky is the limit, far as that and your wallet goes. But, I would caution against drilled rotors. Slotted is OK, but only $pecial alloy rotor$ will avoid cracking and ultimately having to replace them - before they start throwing chunks!

81c3

I've had drilled rotors on a few of my Vettes.... No tracking the car... regular pleasure driving and normal use,. Never had any cracks. My Mercedes comes factory with them, no cracks.

Competition or Track days is different... You will crack around the holes. I've seen guys post up pics of the carnage. Its definitely an aesthetic thing more than anything else...

89dd

Thanks for all the responses guys.
Decided to go with solid rotors and ceramic pads.
Ordering parts, and install over the weekend.
Will keep you posted.

mark970

that's exactly what i did. I bought my stuff from Napa...but i do need to investigate some of these "upgraded" rotors that are cheaper than Napa's. My car has the 13" fronts (J55) and surprisingly they were under $70 each...
thanks for the thread, its been usefull!!!