brake rotor Options

[st_celica_killer]

hey is there any good front brake rotor out there for our celica st ?????

[GT4WRC]

Just been having a similar 'discussion' on a Toyota forum here in NZ.

FACT - Drilled rotors were developed purely to reduce the unsprung weight on race cars. They were NOT designed to improve braking.

Slotted rotors were developed when pads still contained asbestos. With the bonding agents used in the pads, they produced a gas when heated up which formed a 'barrier' between the pad and rotor - leading to what is known as brake fade. The slots allow the gas to escape while also helping to 'de-glaze' the pad surface.

Aftermarket drilled rotors are NOT a good idea to use on road cars. The holes not only reduce the surface contact area, but due to the drilling of the rotor, they are prone to cracking big time. Get the rotors mega hot and the problem comes when they coold down. Due to the holes, the rotors cools down at a different rate across the surface which leads to a huge amount of stress. This can, and often does, lead to cracks apperaing between the holes rendering the rotor unsafe.
Only way around this is to ensure that the holes are formed at the same time as the casting process - such as with the likes of Wilwood and many of the top end markert cars. The cracks can still happen, but less likely.

In summary, on a road car, drilled and or slotted rotors are purely for the 'bling' effect. You can get the same effect for less $ by getting some decent pads in the first place.

Slotted/drilled rotors are really only for when you start to get serious about going fast - not something that you can do legally on the road anyway.
Gary