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Slotted or Slotted and Dimpled

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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 02:03 PM
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Default Slotted or Slotted and Dimpled

Looking to replace my rotors on 06 Z51 and I am not a big fan of cross-drilled rotors. My question is: Should I get the slotted or slotted and dimpled? Is there a big difference between the two or are we getting into the whole 'looks good' scenario? If the dimples are just cosmetic then I will pass but if they make a significant performance gain then I will definitely get slotted and dimpled. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!


Last edited by KVA_Dave; Jun 17, 2009 at 02:12 PM.
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 02:27 PM
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Slots and dimples both take away from surface area. Slots actually have a purpose, I'm not sure dimples do much. I have slotted myself.

San
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 02:33 PM
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They also help remove gas and pad residue and look cool. Plus everyone has solid rotors.

I personally like the scallops that PFC/Racing Brake has in there rotors, plus they are tuff.

After market companies are making upgrades for the z51 that are very good, go to a two piece hat if you can afford to, in one piece I think brembo make a replacement or DBA.
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 03:47 PM
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Thanks!
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 08:26 PM
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I think cross drilled rotors do make a difference and are not only for looks.

Years ago I had a 4th gen Z28 and did not want to spend the money on cross drilled rotors simply because...well I was just broke then. LOL So I bought a pair of stock replacement rotors from Kragen and decided to do a test. I drew out a pattern of holes on some construction paper and then once I had a pattern I marked and drilled all my holes on only one rotor. I believe it was the psgr side.

Anyways, I drove the car for about 3 months with only ONE crossed drilled rotor (it looked retarded, i know) and after that I took apart the brakes and guess what....to my suprise the pads on the cross drilled rotor had more life than the pads on the rotor without the holes.

Now as far as performance gains, that i don't know. But I can tell you this...the brakes do run cooler. I don't know if they work better than other designs but just thought I'd share this info.
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Sparo2
I think cross drilled rotors do make a difference and are not only for looks.

Years ago I had a 4th gen Z28 and did not want to spend the money on cross drilled rotors simply because...well I was just broke then. LOL So I bought a pair of stock replacement rotors from Kragen and decided to do a test. I drew out a pattern of holes on some construction paper and then once I had a pattern I marked and drilled all my holes on only one rotor. I believe it was the psgr side.

Anyways, I drove the car for about 3 months with only ONE crossed drilled rotor (it looked retarded, i know) and after that I took apart the brakes and guess what....to my suprise the pads on the cross drilled rotor had more life than the pads on the rotor without the holes.

Now as far as performance gains, that i don't know. But I can tell you this...the brakes do run cooler. I don't know if they work better than other designs but just thought I'd share this info.
Your pads were less worn because there was less rotor surface area for them to grab and wear against. I also doubt that your "drilled" rotor ran any cooler. Good thing you never did any serious braking on a home drilled cheap rotor, because the results could have been dangerous.
Drilled rotors are for looks, and only for looks for those that don't know any better IMHO.

San
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 09:25 PM
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Originally Posted by oldmansan
Your pads were less worn because there was less rotor surface area for them to grab and wear against. I also doubt that your "drilled" rotor ran any cooler. Good thing you never did any serious braking on a home drilled cheap rotor, because the results could have been dangerous.
Drilled rotors are for looks, and only for looks for those that don't know any better IMHO.

San
+1 but thanks for the laugh, drilled your own rotorsi gotta use that one
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by CamaroCane
+1 but thanks for the laugh, drilled your own rotorsi gotta use that one
That's not the worst part. It wasn't even an electric drill.

San
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 10:35 PM
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Originally Posted by oldmansan
Your pads were less worn because there was less rotor surface area for them to grab and wear against. I also doubt that your "drilled" rotor ran any cooler. Good thing you never did any serious braking on a home drilled cheap rotor, because the results could have been dangerous.
Drilled rotors are for looks, and only for looks for those that don't know any better IMHO.

San
Oh I didn't drill my own rotors for a performance gain. Just wanted to experiment to see what gains, if any, could be had. I would never recommend anyone home drilling some rotors for serious use.

It was just an experiment guys and nothing more. Don't get your panties in a knot now.
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 11:10 PM
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The serious road race guys tend to run solid rotors.
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Old Jun 18, 2009 | 09:22 AM
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Dimpling, cross-drilling, and slotting all serve a purpose. The question is are you going to employ your Vette to the extent that they will come into play?

They all help protect against outgassing. This happens when the pad reaches high temperatures causing the bonding agents in the pad material to vaporize (note:Modern performance pads use different bonding methods and are much less susceptible to outgassing). For more detail visit this site:

http://www.baer.com/technical/faq/index.php

Keep in mind that cross drilling can lead to stress fractures in your rotors.

Happy Motoring

Last edited by tdbowen; Jun 18, 2009 at 09:24 AM.
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Old Jun 18, 2009 | 10:29 AM
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Brake like all technology get more advances with time, drilled rotor if done correctly are fine notice that the factory z51 have not just drilled holes but they are chamfored holes which is better than just drilled. Also notice that real full floating rotors some times are drilled or slotted and have micro/ hair line cracks and are fine, my PFC race rotors were this way and as long as the crack is not large, ie you finger nail can not catch on it.

Last edited by LS3FORME; Jun 18, 2009 at 10:37 AM.
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Old Jun 18, 2009 | 07:53 PM
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DBA 4000 series slotted
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Old Jun 18, 2009 | 10:02 PM
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Thanks everyone! I think that I am going to go with slotted...not sure which manufacturer yet, but I think slotted will work fine for me.
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Old Jun 18, 2009 | 10:06 PM
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I'd go with DBA or Stoptech. One-piece if you're on a budget and two-piece if you want to save some weight. Best of luck.

San
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