Notices
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator 1991-1994, 1995-2001, 2002-2005, 2006-2010 Ford Explorer

Drilled rotors?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 30, 2006 | 08:49 AM
  #1  
Nightrider41's Avatar
Nightrider41
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Drilled rotors?

I did a search for brake rotors and did not find much other than not to buy slotted rotors. What about drilled rotors? Good source?
Why should one not use them?
Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2006 | 12:42 PM
  #2  
RangerWilly's Avatar
RangerWilly
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Nightrider41
I did a search for brake rotors and did not find much other than not to buy slotted rotors. What about drilled rotors? Good source?
Why should one not use them?
Thanks
When you drill rotors you have less surface area. This results in less heat dissipitation. In my opinion they are just for looks. Also rusted drums have greater heat emission than non-rusted painted ones. Think about it...
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2006 | 01:19 PM
  #3  
Nightrider41's Avatar
Nightrider41
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
I am aware of the hows and whys, should have been more clear. Actually I meant in actual use on Explorers. And I'm not interested in drums as the Explorer has disc front and rear.
Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2006 | 04:05 PM
  #4  
hank_48's Avatar
hank_48
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by RangerWilly
When you drill rotors you have less surface area. This results in less heat dissipitation. \.
Not always true. As long as the hole isn't too big, you actually increase the surface area.

For example, lets say the rotor is solid and 1/4" thick. What would happen if a series of 1/8" holes were drilled?

For each hole drilled you would lose the surface area of a 1/8" circle on both sides. The area of a 1/8" circle is Pi times the radius squared. The radius is half the diameter: .125 / 2 = .0625". Square that and multiply times Pi: (.0625 * .0625) * 3.1415 = .012271... Finally, double it for both sides of the rotor and you have .024543 sq inches lost.

The hole will replace that with a surface area equal to the area of the wall of the hole. So the new area created is the circumference of the hole times the thickness of the rotor. Circumference is Pi times diameter: 3.1415 * .125" = .3926875. Then multiply times the thickness of the rotor: .3926875 * .375" = .1475258 sq inches gained.

That means that the hole actually has created 6 times more surface area than before. Using a 1/2" hole and everything else being the same, you create about 1.5 times the previous surface area.

 

Last edited by hank_48; Jun 30, 2006 at 04:13 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2006 | 08:08 PM
  #5  
RangerWilly's Avatar
RangerWilly
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by hank_48
Not always true. As long as the hole isn't too big, you actually increase the surface area.

For example, lets say the rotor is solid and 1/4" thick. What would happen if a series of 1/8" holes were drilled?

For each hole drilled you would lose the surface area of a 1/8" circle on both sides. The area of a 1/8" circle is Pi times the radius squared. The radius is half the diameter: .125 / 2 = .0625". Square that and multiply times Pi: (.0625 * .0625) * 3.1415 = .012271... Finally, double it for both sides of the rotor and you have .024543 sq inches lost.

The hole will replace that with a surface area equal to the area of the wall of the hole. So the new area created is the circumference of the hole times the thickness of the rotor. Circumference is Pi times diameter: 3.1415 * .125" = .3926875. Then multiply times the thickness of the rotor: .3926875 * .375" = .1475258 sq inches gained.

That means that the hole actually has created 6 times more surface area than before. Using a 1/2" hole and everything else being the same, you create about 1.5 times the previous surface area.

Touche hank_48...That makes sense...One can learn so much in the forums. Thanks!!!
 
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2006 | 12:35 AM
  #6  
CobraXP's Avatar
CobraXP
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,123
Likes: 2
From: Fort Smith
Club FTE Gold Member
Yes, they make them...




I've had mine on for 2 years now. I don't remember the name of the company I got them from (bought them in a group buy on another site). They are slotted and drilled, with zinc coating to prevent rust. I have had good luck with them so far. I actually wouldn't mind finding another set.

Let me see if I can get in touch with the guy I bought them from and get some info...
 
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2006 | 01:47 PM
  #7  
MisterCMK's Avatar
MisterCMK
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Your best bet would be to buy a set of brembo blanks from tirerack. They are fairly cheap and are some of hte best rotors out there.
 
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2006 | 05:55 PM
  #8  
Nightrider41's Avatar
Nightrider41
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Fairly cheap?
$305.00

Thanks for the answers. I'm not sure I can spend that much for 2 rotors.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 4, 2006 | 07:36 PM
  #9  
MisterCMK's Avatar
MisterCMK
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/resul...ategory=Rotors

They are $44 a piece for the plain brembo rotors. The plain brembos are supposed to be some of the best rotors available, and for the price they are a good deal.
 
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2006 | 08:25 PM
  #10  
K2JJB's Avatar
K2JJB
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From: Webster, NY
Originally Posted by MisterCMK
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/resul...ategory=Rotors

They are $44 a piece for the plain brembo rotors. The plain brembos are supposed to be some of the best rotors available, and for the price they are a good deal.
I noted the following text on the description for the drilled rotors and no others on that page:
Front Fitment
Note: (Front) Drilled vented rotors. Not recommended for track use. Do not use with race compound brake pads. Drilled rotors are not warranted against warping or cracking.
Seems to me that this means that the normal or slotted ones are better rotors with the drilled ones being for looks only... at least that is how it seems to me.
 
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2006 | 11:40 PM
  #11  
MisterCMK's Avatar
MisterCMK
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Yup. I will only get regular solid rotors for my vehicles.
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 04:44 PM
  #12  
95XLimited's Avatar
95XLimited
New User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
My first post here, but thought I might comment on this topic.

Slotted and cross-drilled rotors are designed for performance applications. The slots and the cross-drilling is to vent gas built up from heat generated by extreme braking (allowing better pad to rotor contact). The vaned vents allow for better cooling for less fade.

If slotted and/or cross-drilled rotors are used then ceramic pads are recommended as others both deteriorate fast and can damage the rotors along with providing poor braking performance.

Also, to adequately obtain optimum braking performance, upgraded calipers and larger rotor diameters would be the proper path to follow.

I have the Baer Brake system (13" front/12" rear) slotted and cross-drilled on a 2000 turbocharged Mustang convertible. Appearance is great, but braking performance is even better.

95XLimited
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 04:48 PM
  #13  
86fiveo's Avatar
86fiveo
New User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I got my drilled brakes from www.autopartswarehouse.com back before i totaled my 2000 exploder. They were $178 for the set and I did them myself. Noticed an immediate difference in inclement weather especially. Definately worth it if you have the money. They give you free shipping on that site too I believe.
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 04:53 PM
  #14  
95XLimited's Avatar
95XLimited
New User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Glad you noticed the difference. Even with oem there should be better performance, just not optimal.

I am thinking of going with BaerClaw rotors and EBS pads, oem replacement size. Not sure what a complete system would cost, the Mustang was $3000 for both front and rear systems.
95XLimited
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:36 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE