Weird brake issue

[bpd1151]

OEM is craptastic.

I went through 4 sets of OEM rotors (3 under warranty) before I started shopping around.

Anything, and I mean anything is an 'upgrade' over OEM. Literally.

But, in the same token, why throw good money, after bad I ask?

Remember, you're piloting a near 4,400lb land yacht. The time to experience that "oh $h!t" factor, is not when you need those brakes at that moment.

Go the extra mile, & flip for the EBC's. Seriously.

As far as the Wilwood's, yes they have kits available.

I was the 1st to run a 15" rotor on the front, & with upgrades, front ran me a cool $3k.

I have a deposit on the rear's now, which will end up being $2k. But at my current power levels, it's necessary.

If you need links to Wilwood's, lmk, I can supply them.

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[rcryniak]

I spoke with a mechanic friend - he mentioned Hawks too. He goes to my local track, says they've served him well. I was going to ask about them, but he's the ONLY one to recommend them to me until just now. Any other pro-Hawk votes?

Also, just thinking about the physics/chemistry involved... other than slotted, dimpled, and/or cross-drilled... and ignoring protective coatings for the non-contacting areas (an idea I actually like, considering the amount of rust I'm currently staring at) are there really any practical differences between vendors for rotors in terms of quality and durability? Aren't they all the same material at the core? I can totally see pads being a factor - different formulations and such, but what about rotors? Would OEM rotors do just as well with Hawk Pads or EBC pads as the aftermarket rotors?

 

[SHOdded]

Rotors are nowhere near the same by far. There are metallurgical and design differences based on the intended use. They can be one piece or two piece. They can be very light or very heavy. They can be ferrous metal based or carbon fiber based. On and on.

Even performance cars like the Corvette and M5 can use aftermarket rotors of better quality/looks. So why not the SHO?

 

[SHOnUup4]

Me personally, I'm keeping the slotted EBC setup and buying oem rotors and either the Hawk or CarboTech pads for road coursing in the future.

Another key factor in rotors (our fronts), the venting...the design in the center

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[bpd1151]

13+ OEM is better than the '10's through '12's.

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[rcryniak]

So what do you guys think of the EBC premium (blank) rotors vs. their slotted and sport rotors? The slotted/dimpled look cool, but not $250 more cool, IMO. If the blanks are every bit as good as the "sport" rotors, or at least 99% as good, I may go that way, with the yellow stuff. A salesperson at AutoAnything built me a cart with premiums, gave me a discount, $505 + shipping out the door for 4x EBC premiums & yellow stuff pads.

Now, if we were skipping winter and heading into the summer again, and I was going to shows or something, I might go with the slotted/dimpled for looks. Personally, idc, I like the looks of blanks, but car show participants might like 'em. I dunno. 500 vs 750. :/ ...or dealer installed OEMs for a cool $1,000. Yeah, hahahaha.

 

[rcryniak]

And yes, I'll take that link to that corvette how to protect your hats & veins with clearcoat. I can take a GUESS, but I write software for a living so I don't like to guess; I very strongly prefer to know.

And about the blanks vs. slotted - my preference is first for performance/longevity, and secondarily for cost. After all, safety is #1; and costs aren't always as apparent as what you see on a sticker. For instance, if Rotor A costs $70 a piece and Rotor B costs $150 a piece, but Rotor A will last 6 months and Rotor B will last 3 years, then Rotor B is actually less expensive to own, in spite of the higher sticker price. Now let's say we found Rotor C for $10 a piece, but rumor has it that they'll split in two when you hit 70mph and you won't have any brakes. Then Rotor C becomes the most expensive, by a landslide! (...or is that a tireslide?? ) So I've decided on the EBC for rotors - just need something concrete to dismiss the blank premiums vs. slotted/dimpled that say "you'll save more money in the long run" or, "what're you crazy? you really wanna die??" lol

blanks or slotted... blanks or slotted... sigh... lol

...and I'm still not 100% sold on EBC pads over Hawks. I keep hearing awesome things about the HPS by Hawk, in particular. Well, reading various praises in various enthusiast forums. Pretty sure the cost is comparable, imagine the dust will be about the same too.

Anyhow, I appreciate all the input you guys have been giving. You all completely rock.

Oh, and just FYI - my wife's stock Ford brakes on her Escape Titanium... awesome. Thing stops on a dime. Never tracked it though, for obvious reasons. But still, stray cats crossing the road needn't fear for anything.

 

[SHOdded]

I ran PFC pads with my Gen 2 BBK, tried Hawk HPS because of their reputation, hated them, went back to PFC. Your experience may be different, YMMV as they say. Guy with an Edge put on slotted/drilled rotors with Hawk pads, absolutely loves them. The HPS are supposed to be lowdust, as are the Akebono ProACT. Need good rotors with ceramic pads though. Otherwise the rotors will need replacing in short order.

The link:
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c5-tech/2637009-my-rotor-clean-techniques.html

The guy's still active, so you can question him directly if you want.

 

[rcryniak]

Thanks for the link - so what do you think? The less expensive blanks just as good as slotted?

 

[SHOdded]

Absolutely. Nothing wrong with plain jane rotors.

 

[r1crusher]

A little late posting up but having installed a complete power stop setup on my '13 (because EBC can't find the time to make anything for the '13+ SHO) they are WAY better than stock stuff. They are not the same as EBC and that is reflected in their cost but for about the same money as OE stuff they are a definite upgrade and worth every penny for everyday driving and some 1/4 mile time (as others have stated), IMO. Once I priced out EBC their cost was not worth it based on my driving habits.

Again, if you're just using the SHO as a DD mainly...power stop kits are a great and cost effective upgrade in every way. I will say that the supplied hardware in the kits are not very good and did not fit my caliper brackets at all. I simply cleaned up my existing hardware and used the supplied **** in the kit instead. Everything works great besides that minor issue.

Just my $.02.

 

[SHOdded]

Maybe some pics of the brake setup will help sway Robb one way or the other

 

[r1crusher]

It's not too nice outside today with the rain and all plus my wheels are dirty as shit but I'll find a moment this weekend and I'll snap a few picks just for Robb's viewing enjoyment.

 

[r1crusher]

Okay....so I had a few min. to snap a couple pics of the power stop rotors I installed a few months ago. These will give you a good idea of how the zinc coating is on them. Again...my car has been sitting outside and not driven for at least a week so the it's pretty dirty wheel wise.

Typical look of rotor...

After a rain and sitting for a while...

As you can see the only part that starts to rust is the rotor to pad surface (and obviously cleans up one you start driving). The rest of the rotor just has water spots but otherwise looks good.

EDIT: Yes that is wheel rash and NO I DID NOT DO IT!