Are the different brake discs worth it?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 716
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From: Long Island City NY
Are the different brake discs worth it?
I'm have the understanding that slotted or crossdrilled rotors don't really make your car stop any better. It supposedly helps to let gases escape and keep your rotors cooler delaying brake fade. I've also read that with the technology of todays high performance brake pads, these gas issues are no longer an issue. Having said that, I still want crossdrilled/slotted rotors mainly for a visual upgrade. Yes, I know that the crossdrilled ones tend to crack, so I might opt for slotted only rotors.
My question is this. Are the expensive $1000 two piece rotors like the Eradispeeds that much better than the cheaper one at half the price? For example, GM Performance, I think, offers a full set xdrilled brakes for around $400 or so. What is the advantage of the two piece design? Anyone had experience with them are really notice a difference? I'm sure that the improvement would be noted on a racetrack at some point, but is it ever realized on the street?
My question is this. Are the expensive $1000 two piece rotors like the Eradispeeds that much better than the cheaper one at half the price? For example, GM Performance, I think, offers a full set xdrilled brakes for around $400 or so. What is the advantage of the two piece design? Anyone had experience with them are really notice a difference? I'm sure that the improvement would be noted on a racetrack at some point, but is it ever realized on the street?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: New York NY
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Nope, you are just paying for Baer's patented design and the bling bling effect of having a rotor that is equivalent to a Gucci watch. There is no difference between the baer rotor and one that you could purchase for much less (such as sportbrakes...although they seem to be out of business). The two piece rotors with the aluminum hats are lighter than the one piece. Just wait until Evil Twin chimes in on this thread! 
p.s. if you are concerned about rusting, make sure whichever rotors you buy are zinc coated. And do not use any brake or wheel cleaner on those zinc coated rotors because it will eat right through the coating.
p.s. if you are concerned about rusting, make sure whichever rotors you buy are zinc coated. And do not use any brake or wheel cleaner on those zinc coated rotors because it will eat right through the coating.
Last edited by Icemanskis; Feb 21, 2005 at 02:56 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill Ca.
How much money ya got! 
For street driving, just go with the stock rotors and maybe upgrade the pads a notch.
If you want the bling of the two piece rotors and got the bucks gopher it, but you will not see any difference in braking on the street.
fade is a function of the pad and the possiable glazing of the rotor under high heat. More it is a pad issue, not a rotor issue.
The gassing off holes and slots, will only show up at the track under repeated extreme braking conditions.
If bling is not the issue the NAPA Rotors and a good set of Hawk HP street pads will take you anywhere you want to go.
You can spend thousands on bling and name.
For street driving, just go with the stock rotors and maybe upgrade the pads a notch.
If you want the bling of the two piece rotors and got the bucks gopher it, but you will not see any difference in braking on the street.
fade is a function of the pad and the possiable glazing of the rotor under high heat. More it is a pad issue, not a rotor issue.
The gassing off holes and slots, will only show up at the track under repeated extreme braking conditions.
If bling is not the issue the NAPA Rotors and a good set of Hawk HP street pads will take you anywhere you want to go.
You can spend thousands on bling and name.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 2
From: New Jersey
My question is this. Are the expensive $1000 two piece rotors like the Eradispeeds that much better than the cheaper one at half the price? For example, GM Performance, I think, offers a full set xdrilled brakes for around $400 or so. What is the advantage of the two piece design? Anyone had experience with them are really notice a difference? I'm sure that the improvement would be noted on a racetrack at some point, but is it ever realized on the street?
2-pieced pinned ("floating rotors") definitely work, but they're only useful at the very extremes of braking performance.
BTW- Bolted 2-piece rotors are not the same as pinned. Pinned allows the rotor to float therefore expand and contract freely which allows for better contact with the pad and minimize any disk thickness variations. Bolts just save weight.
If you have a race-car where your going to do lap after lap of hard braking, yes they're good. They will allow for more consistent braking as the rotor heats up and cools off and the pad deposits on the rotor thickness.
Otherwise, No!
I've used them on street cars/auto-x cars, and I honestly admit it was a waste of my money. At the time I just didn't know any better.
For the a street-car, even one auto-crossed or tracked a basic high-quality rotor is just fine.
A quality rotor properly seasoned with properly bedded quality pads will work just great for your needs.
As for the weight savings, you can get a lot more weight savings else where for the money.
Last edited by Mighty-Mouse; Feb 21, 2005 at 03:03 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 2
From: fort worth texas
i just installed a full set of slotted brembos from sportbrake...$280...i believe they have the xdrilled and slotted for about $30 more...all zinc'd
mention the forum...get a discount..
my slotted were originally $330...mentioned the forum and got $50 off..
just FYI..have fun..
mention the forum...get a discount..
my slotted were originally $330...mentioned the forum and got $50 off..
just FYI..have fun..
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
My question is this. Are the expensive $1000 two piece rotors like the Eradispeeds that much better than the cheaper one at half the price?
do you want rotors that stop your car only
do you want rotors that stop but rust?
do you want rotors that stop and don't rust
do you want rotors that make a statement..
a Timex and a Rolex both tell time...one tells time and the other is timeless..
your original post is not clear... bling means alot to some..
function means alot to some..
is bling worth 1000 dollars.. ? to some it does..
do they stop any better? No..
do they look better , yes..
why do people pay 5000 to 8000 dollars for wheels when they already have wheel that work...
So when you say Better.. you need to define what better means to you
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 2
From: fort worth texas
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
When you say Better..you can buy 25 dollar rotors that will stop your car. so for 100 dollars you can have rotors do what rotors do.
do you want rotors that stop your car only
do you want rotors that stop but rust?
do you want rotors that stop and don't rust
do you want rotors that make a statement..
a Timex and a Rolex both tell time...one tells time and the other is timeless..
your original post is not clear... bling means alot to some..
function means alot to some..
is bling worth 1000 dollars.. ? to some it does..
do they stop any better? No..
do they look better , yes..
why do people pay 5000 to 8000 dollars for wheels when they already have wheel that work...
So when you say Better.. you need to define what better means to you
do you want rotors that stop your car only
do you want rotors that stop but rust?
do you want rotors that stop and don't rust
do you want rotors that make a statement..
a Timex and a Rolex both tell time...one tells time and the other is timeless..
your original post is not clear... bling means alot to some..
function means alot to some..
is bling worth 1000 dollars.. ? to some it does..
do they stop any better? No..
do they look better , yes..
why do people pay 5000 to 8000 dollars for wheels when they already have wheel that work...
So when you say Better.. you need to define what better means to you
nicely put...
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Racer
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 315
Likes: 1
From: Canton GA.
You are also asking about the same question I am looking for a answard to also. One day I going with the NAPA rotors and the next day I going with the GM perforance rotors. For street driving will the GM perforance rotors with Hawks Pads Stop any better than the NAPA rotors with Hawks pads or will their be some lost with the GM performace rotors. I notice the new C-6 Z51 and Z06 hads cross/drill rotors.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 10
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
bling we are for the most part all racing with 25 dollar NAPA's. Junk in 3-4 track days but only 100 bucks vs. 1 piece of the two piece rotor for 200.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg FL
Maybe I should start a seperate question but it seems all inter-related. My primary issue is with the nearly absolute eventuality that the rotors will warp and pulse with most of the more "base" rotors offered. I finally got fed up with it on my LS1 F-Body cars and spent the bucks for the Eradispeeds and never (2 1/2 years) had pulsing warped rotor trouble again. My application is simple street driving and I want smooth trouble free dependable braking.
Is this a main issue with others here? I'm leaning toward the two piece Eradispeeds just for the max chance that I won't have warped pulsing brakes that have to have repeated service dollars thrown at them repeatedly.
Is this a main issue with others here? I'm leaning toward the two piece Eradispeeds just for the max chance that I won't have warped pulsing brakes that have to have repeated service dollars thrown at them repeatedly.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Originally Posted by P&DZs
Maybe I should start a seperate question but it seems all inter-related. My primary issue is with the nearly absolute eventuality that the rotors will warp and pulse with most of the more "base" rotors offered. I finally got fed up with it on my LS1 F-Body cars and spent the bucks for the Eradispeeds and never (2 1/2 years) had pulsing warped rotor trouble again. My application is simple street driving and I want smooth trouble free dependable braking.
Is this a main issue with others here? I'm leaning toward the two piece Eradispeeds just for the max chance that I won't have warped pulsing brakes that have to have repeated service dollars thrown at them repeatedly.
Is this a main issue with others here? I'm leaning toward the two piece Eradispeeds just for the max chance that I won't have warped pulsing brakes that have to have repeated service dollars thrown at them repeatedly.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I just raised it up abit. it was pretty low in the back and more uneven than I liked,.,, I did not cut any bushings.. here is how it looked a few weeks ago..
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I just raised it up abit. it was pretty low in the back and more uneven than I liked,.,, I did not cut any bushings.. here is how it looked a few weeks ago..
When I put the 14 inch Baers on the rear, I raised it up. It looks better like this.
When I put the 14 inch Baers on the rear, I raised it up. It looks better like this.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by P&DZs
Thanks E-T. The old "picture worth a thousand words" - priceless!
the "Cast In" holes are cracked
Every one has different needs. I need to stop WHEN I NEED TO STOP. We who use the brakes hard find the D/S or holes that are cast in the rotor last shortter time then normal rotors.
raybestos rotors at $25 each for track time
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Newark, DE
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
P&DZs
Thanks E-T. The old "picture worth a thousand words" - priceless!
Thanks E-T. The old "picture worth a thousand words" - priceless!
the "Cast In" holes are cracked
From the Baer website:
"Claw System rotors come crossdrilled and slotted."
The only C5 rotors I am aware of with cast-in holes are StopFORCE, which is what I use.