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Drilled rotors?

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Old Jun 30, 2006 | 08:49 AM
  #1  
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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
 
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Old Jun 30, 2006 | 12:42 PM
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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...
 
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Old Jun 30, 2006 | 01:19 PM
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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
 
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Old Jun 30, 2006 | 04:05 PM
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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.
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Old Jun 30, 2006 | 08:08 PM
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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!!!
 
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Old Jul 1, 2006 | 12:35 AM
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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...
 
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 01:47 PM
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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.
 
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Old Jul 3, 2006 | 05:55 PM
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Fairly cheap?
$305.00

Thanks for the answers. I'm not sure I can spend that much for 2 rotors.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2006 | 07:36 PM
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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.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2006 | 08:25 PM
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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.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2006 | 11:40 PM
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Yup. I will only get regular solid rotors for my vehicles.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006 | 04:44 PM
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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.

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Old Aug 15, 2006 | 04:48 PM
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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.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2006 | 04:53 PM
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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.
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