Powerstop Drilled/slotted rotors cracked after just 1 track day
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 8
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Powerstop Drilled/slotted rotors cracked after just 1 track day
Hi
I bought some "POWER STOP AR8259XPR (High Performance) Extreme Performance Drilled and Slotted; Pair" from Rockauto last year and they have cracked after less than 1000 miles of overall use which included 1 track day.
I went for that particular rotor as it was advertised as a great upgrade from standard rotors for those who do the occasional track day so I expected them to last more that 1 track day. They were paired up with yellow stuff pads.
It's a 2002 C5, auto, completely standard except for the recent brake upgrade.
I've read in other threads in this forum that drilled ones should be avoided if doing any kind of track day, so should I go for just slotted instead? If so, what are the good brands? I've seen these ones on the Rockauto site "RAYBESTOS 56701PER R-300 High Performance; Specialty; Street Performance". Does anyone know if they are any good?
I'm just looking for some advice really as I do enjoy the occasional track day but I don't want to keep replacing the rotors every time.
Thanks in advance.
I bought some "POWER STOP AR8259XPR (High Performance) Extreme Performance Drilled and Slotted; Pair" from Rockauto last year and they have cracked after less than 1000 miles of overall use which included 1 track day.
I went for that particular rotor as it was advertised as a great upgrade from standard rotors for those who do the occasional track day so I expected them to last more that 1 track day. They were paired up with yellow stuff pads.
It's a 2002 C5, auto, completely standard except for the recent brake upgrade.
I've read in other threads in this forum that drilled ones should be avoided if doing any kind of track day, so should I go for just slotted instead? If so, what are the good brands? I've seen these ones on the Rockauto site "RAYBESTOS 56701PER R-300 High Performance; Specialty; Street Performance". Does anyone know if they are any good?
I'm just looking for some advice really as I do enjoy the occasional track day but I don't want to keep replacing the rotors every time.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by redvetteheaduk; Today at 03:00 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 394
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '18
That's why you DO NOT BUY drilled rotors for track use, period. They are for street use only, and really just aesthetics anyhow. And I avoid drilled rotors for street or any kind of use anyhow.
Tips:
-DO NOT use your emergency brake at the track AT ALL, period. Wheel chock and leave it in gear to park it.
-Once you come off track, let the car cool for 10 minutes or so, and THEN move the car about 2-3 feet forward or back to allow the brake rotors to rotate 180°, so the portion of the rotor inside the caliper can cool more evenly. THIS is what causes rotors to crack, ESPECIALLY on stock-ish brake systems.
Tips:
-DO NOT use your emergency brake at the track AT ALL, period. Wheel chock and leave it in gear to park it.
-Once you come off track, let the car cool for 10 minutes or so, and THEN move the car about 2-3 feet forward or back to allow the brake rotors to rotate 180°, so the portion of the rotor inside the caliper can cool more evenly. THIS is what causes rotors to crack, ESPECIALLY on stock-ish brake systems.
Last edited by Sydwayz; Today at 04:15 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 693
From: Pingree Grove IL
I had powerstop rotors crack, stoptech rotors crack, and AC Delco Gold slotted only crack as well. I currently have plain KNS brake rotors, no track days on them and use Hawk HP+ pads. If your hard on brakes at the track, I wouldn’t even use the Raybestos track pads, get some entry level Hawk pads for track days DT 60’s, DT 70’s, or carbotech XP8s or XP 10’s. My current set up is fine for street use, and if I go do a track day, it should be okay. The Hawk HP+ pads don’t even squeak that much with the KNS brake rotors. The other 3 rotor name brand as explained above made much more noise. Any track pad is going to dust. Put wax or a ceramic coat on your wheels quite often. Good luck finding a rotor. C5’s are hard on brakes for some reason.
KNS brake rotors are made by DBA, FYI, and 4 years ago, paid 300 for 4, shipped to the house, prices have changed though.
KNS brake rotors are made by DBA, FYI, and 4 years ago, paid 300 for 4, shipped to the house, prices have changed though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,628
Likes: 3,333
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
As stated avoid drilled rotors on track. You could upgrade to a big brake kit, but most will require you to get larger wheels. I love my Hawk HPS 5.0 pads. They do dust a lot and are a bit noisy but they don't heat soak.
