Drilled or Slotted?

[sleepydsm]

92 Tsi AWD 6 bolt w/ factory "big brakes"

Drilled or slotted, or both, for a daily driven street car that occassionally sees triple digit speeds. I will be using Axxis Ultimate pads. I'll get stainless lines later.

I've read that drilled rotors will crack easily (but this car isn't a RACE car and most likely will never be at a circuit track). Will this be an issue for a street car? Also I understand they have less area to dissipate heat because the rotor has less material to spread the thermal load. Also better wet stopping and rotor cooling though?

Slotted rotors apparently are great for reducing brake fade (my major reason for getting performance rotors and pads).

I'm just wondering what some of your personal experiences are, and what you all think I should do? I've been trying to find slotted front rotors for my car at a decent price.

Thanks.

[Swifty1638]

Well, drilled rotors get rid of the gas that builds up between the pad and the rotor, as well as heat. However, brakes need some heat to work right, much like tires do. Running drilled rotors on a non-track car..that's overkill, and can actually hurt your stopping distance cause you would be getting rid of too much heat. I recommend some slotted rotors, or some nice oem regular rotors. stay away from drilled, or the drilled/slotted..

-A. Swift

[sleepydsm]

Well, drilled rotors get rid of the gas that builds up between the pad and the rotor, as well as heat.
So do slotted... Running drilled rotors on a non-track car..that's overkill, and can actually hurt your stopping distance cause you would be getting rid of too much heat. The why do most real race cars have SLOTTED rotors? I hear the drilled ones seem to crack under extreme heat.... So all those cars I see with drilled rotors can't stop? Especially all those SL 55 AMG's... most of the owners probably drive to work with them on a sunny Friday.

Swifty, thanks for your opinion. I will probably be going with a set of Brembo slotted rotors from The Tire Rack, or someplace cheaper.

[Jakey]

If you choose to purchase rotors other than a full faced set, I would definitely have them cryogenically treated to reduce the risk of cracking and warping. Personally I would still have a full faced set cryo treated for the decrease in warping tendencies.

[sleepydsm]

Hmm I have seen some places that offer that. Thanks for the reminder!

[Jakey]

Hmm I have seen some places that offer that. Thanks for the reminder!

I would recommend Precision Shaft Technologies in Clearwater, FL. They are great people to work with and will receive any and all of my cryo related business.

http://www.pstds.com/

[yang2194]

I have Brembo slotted on my awd and they are great. The car can stop a lot faster and they don't over heat as much. Got them at brake and equiment for $180 a pair.

[CVD]

Modern pads do not create gasses. Drilled rotors are useless on a street car and slotted are pretty well pointless too. Unless you're into the looks, solid rotors are as good as any and probably cheaper.

[scheides]

thespeedfactor.com has a decent brake package that includes brembo rotors, pads, and SS lines. Go slotted, the reasons are mentioned above, it is a great mix of performance and reliaility.

[Kracka]

Modern pads do not create gasses. Drilled rotors are useless on a street car and slotted are pretty well pointless too. Unless you're into the looks, solid rotors are as good as any and probably cheaper.

CVD is 100% correct. Steer clear of drilled because they love to crack, if you want something "fancy" go with slotted but do keep in mind your pads will wear slightly faster since the slots will be cutting/scraping into the pad surface. I also recomend getting some better pads for the front, I suggest Porterfield R4-S pads.

You might want to just look into getting the Baer Track-Kit brake system; you should be able to find it for about $600 and it includes 13" rotors, calipers, pads, hardware, etc...