Brakes
Big brake kits, cross-drilled and slotted rotors, and stainless steel brakelines are quite popular these days. But does your car need them? Are they worth the money? Will they stop you faster?
Make an informed decision about brakes and brake components by perusing the following links to various articles by automotive engineers and brake manufacturers.
Start with this article by automotive engineer James Walker, Jr. This one [8-page pdf], also by Walker, is similar, but not written in a journalistic tone. Next, read a similar article co-authored by race car engineer and legend, Carroll Smith.
To learn more about slotted and cross-drilled rotors, read what Walker has to say in an article on rotors. Also read StopTech's recommendations, as well as Baer's, paying particular attention to their recommendation for cars seeing track duty. Finally, read this entertaining, if somewhat mean-spirited forum thread.
StopTech has a good FAQ and Technical section for further reading on various brake-related topics.
"What about performance claims by brake companies who sell cross-drilled and slotted rotors," you ask? Well, whether you believe them is up to you, but if you've read the links, then you probably don't.
"What about Porsches and Corvettes? They have cross-drilled rotors." Well, yes, they do, but not on their race cars. Porsche and Corvette are in the business of selling cars and cross-drilled rotors help them do that.
"What about race cars? They use cross-drilled rotors." Almost no race cars run cross-drilled rotors. Exceptions are very light, low-powered formula cars, which don't require the thermal mass of a full rotor and can benefit from the lightening. But these are open-wheeled single-seaters weighing a fraction of a street car.
Make an informed decision about brakes and brake components by perusing the following links to various articles by automotive engineers and brake manufacturers.
Start with this article by automotive engineer James Walker, Jr. This one [8-page pdf], also by Walker, is similar, but not written in a journalistic tone. Next, read a similar article co-authored by race car engineer and legend, Carroll Smith.
To learn more about slotted and cross-drilled rotors, read what Walker has to say in an article on rotors. Also read StopTech's recommendations, as well as Baer's, paying particular attention to their recommendation for cars seeing track duty. Finally, read this entertaining, if somewhat mean-spirited forum thread.
StopTech has a good FAQ and Technical section for further reading on various brake-related topics.
"What about performance claims by brake companies who sell cross-drilled and slotted rotors," you ask? Well, whether you believe them is up to you, but if you've read the links, then you probably don't.
"What about Porsches and Corvettes? They have cross-drilled rotors." Well, yes, they do, but not on their race cars. Porsche and Corvette are in the business of selling cars and cross-drilled rotors help them do that.
"What about race cars? They use cross-drilled rotors." Almost no race cars run cross-drilled rotors. Exceptions are very light, low-powered formula cars, which don't require the thermal mass of a full rotor and can benefit from the lightening. But these are open-wheeled single-seaters weighing a fraction of a street car.
posted by saabhippo at 7:38 PM
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