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Brakes & Suspension Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack |
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02-23-2018, 11:20 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 436768
Join Date: Dec 2015
Chapter/Region:
E. Canada
Location: Toronto
Vehicle:2004 WRX Silver |
Does Rotor Brand Really Matter?
I get how different brands could have proprietary pad compounds, but as the title suggests, does the brand of the rotor really matter? It's just a disc of steel at the end of the day...
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02-24-2018, 12:09 AM | #2 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 71875
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Montana
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For the most part, yes, that has been my opinion. It is a piece of iron that wears down.
However, there are some slight differences in rotor composition. Centric, for example, has a "high-carbon" version of their rotors, which might last a little longer, and might be less susceptible to hot spots and uneven deposits. Maybe. The other things you might get with a more expensive rotor are an anti-corrosive coating on the hat and inside the vanes and less runout. And then holes and slots improve bite, keep the rotor-pad interface cleaner, and help a pads work better near it's maximum MOT. Holes make the rotor lighter, but do make the more likely to crack. A 2-piece rotor does have more advantages because it is lighter, and allows the disc to float independently of the hat. That means less pad knockback, and less stress and deflection in the rotor from temperature changes. All that said, I use centric premiium blanks and they are fine. All the things I mentioned are fairly slight differences and it's hard to tell the difference between a cheap blank and a 2-piece slotted rotor aside from the extra noise. |
02-24-2018, 02:35 AM | #3 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 436768
Join Date: Dec 2015
Chapter/Region:
E. Canada
Location: Toronto
Vehicle:2004 WRX Silver |
thanks for the insight.
i need a set of rears, so i'll get some cheapo's to replace the old ass oems |
02-24-2018, 08:17 AM | #4 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 400259
Join Date: Aug 2014
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RockAuto
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02-24-2018, 08:48 AM | #5 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 295691
Join Date: Sep 2011
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Houston TX
Vehicle:2011 WRX Blue Mica |
As you live in Canada, coated "hats" would be a benefit. Keeps the wheel mounting face in better shape and looks better.
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02-24-2018, 09:43 AM | #6 | ||
NASIOC Supporter
Member#: 30669
Join Date: Dec 2002
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: USA, North NJ, 07456
Vehicle:1998 Legacy 2.5GT Silver Sleeper BK, 5MT |
Quote:
Any of the "E coated" helps slow down rusting on none wear areas. The Centrics are what I tend to use. Price is decent, quality has been good. Quote:
Note, pretty much ANY rotor is cast iron, not steel. There are very few exceptions, yes some are steel or maybe carbon, but almost all street rotors are cast iron. It gives a decent balance of wear, grip and price. I use RA all the time. Agreed, for reasons listed above. |
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02-24-2018, 05:21 PM | #7 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 326146
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Yes. Rotor brand really matters. Well not the actual brand. But what the rotor is made of.
To say it's just a piece of steel and the pad is the major factor is ridiculous. It would be like saying the tire is the only thing that matters and the road surface does not matter. Just as your tires interact with the ground. Your brake pads interact with the rotor. |
02-24-2018, 05:40 PM | #8 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 481795
Join Date: Feb 2018
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I personally have DBA T2 Slotted Rotors on Hawk HPS pads.
Being has my car was pre-owned by one other owner. Yet very well kept. Yes, most rotors are cast iron. |
02-24-2018, 08:50 PM | #9 | |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 71875
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Montana
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Quote:
What benefit do I really get for buying a $150 DBA 4000 over a $40 centric premium blank? Aside from the cool looking slots I mean. |
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02-25-2018, 11:18 PM | #10 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 436768
Join Date: Dec 2015
Chapter/Region:
E. Canada
Location: Toronto
Vehicle:2004 WRX Silver |
Quote:
also, since i cant find slotted/drilled rotors that are also coated, i will likely go the opposite route. Last edited by fleezy; 02-25-2018 at 11:24 PM. |
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02-26-2018, 12:51 AM | #11 |
NASIOC Supporter
Member#: 30669
Join Date: Dec 2002
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: USA, North NJ, 07456
Vehicle:1998 Legacy 2.5GT Silver Sleeper BK, 5MT |
For street and AutoX, I hate drilled or slotted. I think you will be fine with something like the Centric E-coated rotors.
Pads make more of a difference. |
02-26-2018, 02:42 PM | #12 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 71875
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Montana
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Auto-x is actually one of the situations where I'd recommend drilled rotors for the slight weight savings and better bite.
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02-26-2018, 10:08 PM | #13 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 436768
Join Date: Dec 2015
Chapter/Region:
E. Canada
Location: Toronto
Vehicle:2004 WRX Silver |
my understanding is that drilled rotors improve performance in the rain, and slotted rotors keep brake dust out of the way.
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02-26-2018, 10:28 PM | #14 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 71875
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Montana
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They're both doing the same thing- giving "stuff" a place to go instead of being trapped between the pad and rotor. That stuff can be water, dust, brake pad material, and gasses from a really hot pad.
Holes probably do a slightly better job at all of the above, but have their downsides, like cracking, and it reduces the mass of something that's job is to turn kinetic energy into heat. |
02-26-2018, 11:10 PM | #15 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 282933
Join Date: May 2011
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Connecticut
Vehicle:2004 WRX Silver |
Spit balling here but as Japanese steel is not the same as Chinese steel even if it is just a big slab of metal the impurities may be different and have an impact on performance. What katana would you want to go into the zombie apocalypse with lol?
That all being said I have been using premium wearever pads and rotors for 6+ years as they were recommended I believe somewhere on this site to work really well and have a great bang for your buck. I drive spirited and have had to bleed off questionable speed before and they have not let me down. Unless you are racing I would highly recommend the wearever gear. Nevermind the fact you can get additional discounts at advance if you buy online and use coupon codes. If you haven't already changed to high quality brake fluid, SS lines, and a master cylinder brace I would also recommend those upgrades as they can greatly improve pedal feel and responsiveness. |
02-27-2018, 12:23 PM | #16 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 436768
Join Date: Dec 2015
Chapter/Region:
E. Canada
Location: Toronto
Vehicle:2004 WRX Silver |
Quote:
i will look into ss lines and a brace tho |
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