Braking Question
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Braking Question
Which makes the bigger difference from stock in terms of stopping power - Different PADS or Different Rotors?
Which brand of both is recommneded - not for looks, but for pure stopping power?
Which brand of both is recommneded - not for looks, but for pure stopping power?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 3
From: Spring, TX
Re: Braking Question (MARK's_C5TT)
The pads will make the most difference.
Drilled rotors both remove mass and surface area reducing the friction surface and reducing thermal mass. Brake rotors operate as a heatsink. Drilled rotors are prone to cracking under hard driving conditions.
Slotted rotors are better than drilled as they are not prone to cracking. However their effect is probably negligable considering modern pad materials that resist glazing and out gassing.
The biggest determining factor in braking distance and feel is TIRES. Mount some competition rubber on all four corners of the C5 and you will think you just mounted a huge big brake kit on the car. The only reason to use the big Wilwood or Bear kits is for use on track cars only. The pads used by these systems are often not suitable for street use. They need high heat to work properly.
Drilled rotors both remove mass and surface area reducing the friction surface and reducing thermal mass. Brake rotors operate as a heatsink. Drilled rotors are prone to cracking under hard driving conditions.
Slotted rotors are better than drilled as they are not prone to cracking. However their effect is probably negligable considering modern pad materials that resist glazing and out gassing.
The biggest determining factor in braking distance and feel is TIRES. Mount some competition rubber on all four corners of the C5 and you will think you just mounted a huge big brake kit on the car. The only reason to use the big Wilwood or Bear kits is for use on track cars only. The pads used by these systems are often not suitable for street use. They need high heat to work properly.
