Brake Rotors

bolt-on · 11-19-2002, 11:50 AM

I know that the topic of brake rotors has been visited before, but with another season of open track experience, I was wondering what recommendations other members may have. Our 1997 Cobra is nearing the end of the usefull life of it's rotors (1999 Cobra Brembo's on the front and stock Varga's on the rear). What experiences, good and bad, have you had with your rotors? What recommendations do you have for rotors (we will stay with 17 X 9 wheels)?

Larry

98banana · 11-19-2002, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bolt-on
I know that the topic of brake rotors has been visited before, but with another season of open track experience, I was wondering what recommendations other members may have. Our 1997 Cobra is nearing the end of the usefull life of it's rotors (1999 Cobra Brembo's on the front and stock Varga's on the rear). What experiences, good and bad, have you had with your rotors? What recommendations do you have for rotors (we will stay with 17 X 9 wheels)?

Larry

I'm not going to recommend, but I'll share my experiences. I tried Power Slot rotors because I was running Hawk Blue pads up front and I was informed that gas-slotted rotors were needed. Now I get mixed advice about needing slotted rotors.

Anyway, I went through 3 sets of power slot rotors up front and 2 in the back and the last set cracked before the useful thickness was gone. When the last set cracked, John Pearson gave me a set of Brembo rotors that are still on the car.

One interesting thing is that I changed to CarboTech 1108 pads and they virtually stopped wearing the rotors while stopping just as well as the Hawk Blues. The Blues really ate the rotors.

If I have enough money when I build the new banana, I'm going with the Griggs/Sierra brake setup. (I'm still researching that one though.) If the money's tight, I'm going with the stock Cobra setup from the original banana. I'll definately stick with the CarboTech pads and hopefully the 1109's will be out by then.

**Dean95CobraR** · 11-19-2002, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bolt-on
I know that the topic of brake rotors has been visited before, but with another season of open track experience, I was wondering what recommendations other members may have. Our 1997 Cobra is nearing the end of the usefull life of it's rotors (1999 Cobra Brembo's on the front and stock Varga's on the rear). What experiences, good and bad, have you had with your rotors? What recommendations do you have for rotors (we will stay with 17 X 9 wheels)?

Larry

Hi Larry.... I hope everything is going great for you and the misses.

I had the same experience as Tom did on the Powerslot rotors. Luckly the crack didn't happen on the track but during the cool down lap.

Since then, the only thing that I had used was the solid Brembos. They sell them at a decent price and they hold up really well. I would recommend them to anyone.

(BTW - I have an extra set if you are interested. They are Cad plated solid Brembos. Current setup can not use them)

**Dean95CobraR** · 11-19-2002, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 98banana
If I have enough money when I build the new banana, I'm going with the Griggs/Sierra brake setup. (I'm still researching that one though.) If the money's tight, I'm going with the stock Cobra setup from the original banana.

I am interested in this setup also but I have not been able to find any information. I would appreciate any info you could provide.

98banana · 11-19-2002, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dean95CobraR
I am interested in this setup also but I have not been able to find any information. I would appreciate any info you could provide.

That's why I'm still researching. There's not much on them. I did a search on cc.com and all I could find is one guy in a Baer or Brembo conversation saying "well, if you want a real nice setup, then get Sierra" then the subject changed back to the other system.

I did find their web site and it the parts look impressive, but I'm still trying to find somebody that's using them. http://www.sierraracing.com

Eric at Griggs told me that all of their cars use them, of course.

sn8kbit · 11-19-2002, 04:29 PM

i gotta chime in on this, of course. while overkill, the solid eradispeed fronts were darn impressive at RA with the blues. we figured the set of blues i was using had only that weekend left in them, and i was wurprised to see hardly any wear after 2 days of track (regardless of how slow i was

). i obviously generated a ton of heat, the black centers turned purple on me, but i didn't burn off the dustboots of the calipers either. combined with the cooling, these are probably the best things i've put on the car.
drawback is price only. these rotors now have 20k miles on them, and 3 events (not including auto-x's) and other than the grooves the blues naturally ran in the rotors, they still seem (bad choice of word?) to be in the same state as when installed. i'm not planning on having to change rotors till possibly next winter, and that's only if necessary.

edit: removed some double statements. i was holding the baby while typing

98banana · 11-19-2002, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sn8kbit
i gotta chime in on this, of course. while overkill, the solid eradispeed fronts were darn impressive at RA with the blues. we figured the set of blues i was using had only that weekend left in them, and i was wurprised to see hardly any wear after 2 days of track (regardless of how slow i was ). i obviously generated a ton of heat, the black centers turned purple on me, but i didn't burn off the dustboots of the calipers either. combined with the cooling, these are probably the best things i've put on the car.
drawback is price only. these rotors now have 20k miles on them, and 3 events (not including auto-x's) and other than the grooves the blues naturally ran in the rotors, they still seem (bad choice of word?) to be in the same state as when installed. i'm not planning on having to change rotors till possibly next winter, and that's only if necessary.

edit: removed some double statements. i was holding the baby while typing

You know, that's a good point. I can't say how the Blues affect any rotors other than the Powerslots. I never ran them on anything else. It very well could be that the Blues won't affect other rotors as bad.

And I've HEARD great things about the Eradispeed too. Eric at Griggs was trying to sell me a set of those last year.

kevin · 11-19-2002, 04:48 PM

if steve can "chime in" then i will too.

i use the brembo 2-piece rotors on the front. rotors and hawk blues (my first time using them) were put on in april of this year. there is virtually no wear on the rotors (look good for another season) and the pads (altho i haven't measured them yet) still have plenty of thickness (as guaged by the wear slots).

however, i will be going to performance friction pads when it's time to change again (i use the 01 compound on my other car and like them a lot)

sn8kbit · 11-19-2002, 05:47 PM

tom, if you decide to stick with the PBR setup, the eradispeed are the way to go. i can't stress that enough. i will be going to the Carbotech pads, simply because the "grooving" the blues do. according to "shuggextrodinaire" the carbotech pads tend to clean that mess up, and groove less.
also, on the way to RA, i stopped in indy at gasoline alley (no, not KB). place called RacerWholesale. these guys do mostly Alcon stuff (you should see that 12 piston caliper....OMG!) while asking him about cooling hose for the ducts, he walked out and looked at the setup. immediately started bragging on the rotors. mentioned that he has a customer that's had them on the car since they were first introduced, runs the blues, 6 events a year and IRP whenever he can get in, hasn't changed the outer discs yet. that's gotta say something......
understand tho, only the PBR calipers will clear the hat on these. if you choose to upgrade to a Brembo 4 pot, Wilwood 6/4 pot, or Alcon 6/4 pot, the rotors will have to go. not to mention it's not a "bushed" rotor like the Brembo or Baer Extreme offerings, which you'd need to go with using a fixed position caliper, vs. floating.
i'm just waiting for baer to do the Eradispeed +1 rears in a solid disc....

fastoldman · 11-19-2002, 10:27 PM

We spend so much time trying to get more power,and we don't spend enough time on stopping. The weight of the Cobra necessitates some modifications for those who get serious on the track. Check out www.thebrakeman.com if you want to look at a phenomenal big brake upgrade. More importantly his pads are spectacular and have no where the near of Hawk blues,plus they are progressive - ABS or not,as smooth feeling pad that stays static throughout a run session is superb. Alot of companies like StopTech and Brakeman , also make quality slotted rotors,and will not have the problems you have witha Powerslot - essentially nothing more than an OEM rotor with slots. These two racing rotors will give you alot more life, and with a high temp fluid will keep your brakes under you until you go fast enough to require ducting. Ducting is a great investment with the Cobra, as it will keep those rotors and pads more consistent, and your wear usually increase 2 fold, at the same time you can dive deeper into the corners.

thomasmoran1 · 11-20-2002, 12:27 AM

Tom, we are running hawk blue's with slotted brembo rotors and they are working great. The pads seem to last about three track events which is good for us (remember I'm the one who actually started a grass fire in Road atlanta

) and the rotors about twice that. On another note I have to agree with Steve that if you keep the Cobra stock setup you should go with a two piece rotor because of the un-sprung weight alone.

Just my 2 cents

Thomas

COBRA #17 · 11-20-2002, 11:17 AM

Well I agree & disagree!!!

I don't think you can just say soenso's rotors are the best or soenso's pads are the best !!! It comes down to the combination and how well they are used!!!

Shugg and I ran the same pads most of the year. He went through 2 or 3 sets of pads by mid season and I was still on my 1st set. Of coarse he called me a liar but I proved it to him. Not saying he is rough on the brakes but it boils down to use and abuse!

Different people use there brakes differently so find a set up that works for you and don't be affraid to try new stuff.
It is a proven fact the Hawk's are hard on rotors. I'm also surprised to see no one has mentioned the cryoed stuff. Deversifed Cryogenics is going to sponsor AI next year and they have a great product!! www.frozenrotors.com ( I believe)

AI EAST ASST DIRECTOR
COBRA #17 (1 fasthillbilly)

b_tone · 11-20-2002, 11:42 AM

What make the eradispeed rotor better than the Ford OEM Brembo rotor?

Personally I have been using the Ford Brembo rotor (cryogenically treated) for nearly 7 years and I have never had a problem with warping, or extreme rotor wear. I have tried nearly every pad compound from Hawk, PF, Porterfield and I am now playing with the carbotech compounds.

I support Frozen rotors (actually I turned them onto AI) and I would recommend them to everyone. They will last longer and are less prone to warping than a non treated rotor.

Just my opinion

Brian

fastoldman · 11-20-2002, 12:03 PM

Pad wear can be very different from driver to driver based on numerous variables:

1. Do both cars have ducting?
2. Does one driver trailbrake ,while another does not?
3. Is one driver a few seconds faster?

Amazingly, many friends assume that one guy is harder on brakes than another, and the first comment you sometimes hear is, " Heck , he is only 2 seconds faster than me." At Road America in 2000, I was turning 2:37's in a stock Viper with stock Michelin tires. In 2001, in the same car, with the same set-up I turned a 2:34 --- but I also fried a set of pads and destroyed my front rotors in one 30 minute session. This is a perfect illustration of how speed will affect pad wear, as speed equals heat. I have since gone to a tested brake ducting system, better fluids, and my pad wear has increased 4 fold. The reason I have brought this up , is that pad wear is often different among fellow participants, and in analysing what works best, it is important to go into types of rotors, pads, fluids, along with driver style.Keep in mind, that what worked last year , may not work this year, as track time ( seat time) often equals greater speed,hence more wear.

Bill Pemberton
Trophy Placing at Solo II Nationals in 97 Cobra
National Champion , Super Stock , Viper Days
Track Record Holder - Spec Miata , SCCA
Instructor for - Viper Days, Porsche Club, Corvette Club, SCCA, and had the distinct pleasure to help some great drivers including El Head Honcho , Tony, at your last SVT Cobra Track Event.

COBRA #17 · 11-20-2002, 12:29 PM

Well that's funny our situation was different!
I was consistantly 1 or 2 seconds faster than SHUGG and easier on pads TOO!! ( HMMM HOW"S THAT !!) His luck was just a little better than mine!!!

( PUNK )
We both had ducts as far as I know ! Maybe it's that extra 50lbs of gut !!

I'll leave it at that !!!

AI EAST ASST DIECTOR
COBRA #17

11-19-2002, 04:29 PM	#6
sn8kbit Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: music frickin city, USA Posts: 1,417	i gotta chime in on this, of course. while overkill, the solid eradispeed fronts were darn impressive at RA with the blues. we figured the set of blues i was using had only that weekend left in them, and i was wurprised to see hardly any wear after 2 days of track (regardless of how slow i was ). i obviously generated a ton of heat, the black centers turned purple on me, but i didn't burn off the dustboots of the calipers either. combined with the cooling, these are probably the best things i've put on the car. drawback is price only. these rotors now have 20k miles on them, and 3 events (not including auto-x's) and other than the grooves the blues naturally ran in the rotors, they still seem (bad choice of word?) to be in the same state as when installed. i'm not planning on having to change rotors till possibly next winter, and that's only if necessary. edit: removed some double statements. i was holding the baby while typing __________________ internet redneck.. 1999 Black Coupe Maximum Motorsports Kenny Brown IRS'd hybrid

11-19-2002, 04:48 PM	#8
kevin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: somewhere in the back of the pack Posts: 12,610	if steve can "chime in" then i will too. i use the brembo 2-piece rotors on the front. rotors and hawk blues (my first time using them) were put on in april of this year. there is virtually no wear on the rotors (look good for another season) and the pads (altho i haven't measured them yet) still have plenty of thickness (as guaged by the wear slots). however, i will be going to performance friction pads when it's time to change again (i use the 01 compound on my other car and like them a lot) __________________ if a man insisted always on being serious and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it. herodotus (485-425 b.c.). http://genoamotorsports.com http://www.isaacdirect.com/html/Othe...sComments.html http://www.isaacdirect.com/images/Users/Darth.jpg

11-19-2002, 05:47 PM	#9
sn8kbit Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: music frickin city, USA Posts: 1,417	tom, if you decide to stick with the PBR setup, the eradispeed are the way to go. i can't stress that enough. i will be going to the Carbotech pads, simply because the "grooving" the blues do. according to "shuggextrodinaire" the carbotech pads tend to clean that mess up, and groove less. also, on the way to RA, i stopped in indy at gasoline alley (no, not KB). place called RacerWholesale. these guys do mostly Alcon stuff (you should see that 12 piston caliper....OMG!) while asking him about cooling hose for the ducts, he walked out and looked at the setup. immediately started bragging on the rotors. mentioned that he has a customer that's had them on the car since they were first introduced, runs the blues, 6 events a year and IRP whenever he can get in, hasn't changed the outer discs yet. that's gotta say something...... understand tho, only the PBR calipers will clear the hat on these. if you choose to upgrade to a Brembo 4 pot, Wilwood 6/4 pot, or Alcon 6/4 pot, the rotors will have to go. not to mention it's not a "bushed" rotor like the Brembo or Baer Extreme offerings, which you'd need to go with using a fixed position caliper, vs. floating. i'm just waiting for baer to do the Eradispeed +1 rears in a solid disc.... __________________ internet redneck.. 1999 Black Coupe Maximum Motorsports Kenny Brown IRS'd hybrid

11-20-2002, 12:27 AM	#11
thomasmoran1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: toronto Posts: 222	Tom, we are running hawk blue's with slotted brembo rotors and they are working great. The pads seem to last about three track events which is good for us (remember I'm the one who actually started a grass fire in Road atlanta ) and the rotors about twice that. On another note I have to agree with Steve that if you keep the Cobra stock setup you should go with a two piece rotor because of the un-sprung weight alone. Just my 2 cents Thomas __________________ Any part that doesn't make you go fast, stop harder, turn better or make your car safer is totally USELESS!!!

11-20-2002, 11:17 AM	#12
COBRA #17 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hot Springs VA Posts: 127	OH BOY !!! Well I agree & disagree!!! I don't think you can just say soenso's rotors are the best or soenso's pads are the best !!! It comes down to the combination and how well they are used!!! Shugg and I ran the same pads most of the year. He went through 2 or 3 sets of pads by mid season and I was still on my 1st set. Of coarse he called me a liar but I proved it to him. Not saying he is rough on the brakes but it boils down to use and abuse! Different people use there brakes differently so find a set up that works for you and don't be affraid to try new stuff. It is a proven fact the Hawk's are hard on rotors. I'm also surprised to see no one has mentioned the cryoed stuff. Deversifed Cryogenics is going to sponsor AI next year and they have a great product!! www.frozenrotors.com ( I believe) AI EAST ASST DIRECTOR COBRA #17 (1 fasthillbilly)

11-19-2002, 11:50 AM	#1
bolt-on WingNuts Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Cereal City, USA Posts: 273	Brake Rotors I know that the topic of brake rotors has been visited before, but with another season of open track experience, I was wondering what recommendations other members may have. Our 1997 Cobra is nearing the end of the usefull life of it's rotors (1999 Cobra Brembo's on the front and stock Varga's on the rear). What experiences, good and bad, have you had with your rotors? What recommendations do you have for rotors (we will stay with 17 X 9 wheels)? Larry __________________ Larry & Janice Bolton 1997 Crystal White Cobra Coupe (open-track ride) 1965 Tropical Turquoise Mustang 2+2 (cruise night car) 1997 Rio Red GT Convertible (MCA show pony) 2007 Vista Blue California Special (her summer daily driver)

11-19-2002, 10:27 PM	#10
fastoldman Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 30	We spend so much time trying to get more power,and we don't spend enough time on stopping. The weight of the Cobra necessitates some modifications for those who get serious on the track. Check out www.thebrakeman.com if you want to look at a phenomenal big brake upgrade. More importantly his pads are spectacular and have no where the near of Hawk blues,plus they are progressive - ABS or not,as smooth feeling pad that stays static throughout a run session is superb. Alot of companies like StopTech and Brakeman , also make quality slotted rotors,and will not have the problems you have witha Powerslot - essentially nothing more than an OEM rotor with slots. These two racing rotors will give you alot more life, and with a high temp fluid will keep your brakes under you until you go fast enough to require ducting. Ducting is a great investment with the Cobra, as it will keep those rotors and pads more consistent, and your wear usually increase 2 fold, at the same time you can dive deeper into the corners.

11-20-2002, 11:42 AM	#13
b_tone Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 162	What make the eradispeed rotor better than the Ford OEM Brembo rotor? Personally I have been using the Ford Brembo rotor (cryogenically treated) for nearly 7 years and I have never had a problem with warping, or extreme rotor wear. I have tried nearly every pad compound from Hawk, PF, Porterfield and I am now playing with the carbotech compounds. I support Frozen rotors (actually I turned them onto AI) and I would recommend them to everyone. They will last longer and are less prone to warping than a non treated rotor. Just my opinion Brian

11-20-2002, 12:03 PM	#14
fastoldman Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 30	Pad wear can be very different from driver to driver based on numerous variables: 1. Do both cars have ducting? 2. Does one driver trailbrake ,while another does not? 3. Is one driver a few seconds faster? Amazingly, many friends assume that one guy is harder on brakes than another, and the first comment you sometimes hear is, " Heck , he is only 2 seconds faster than me." At Road America in 2000, I was turning 2:37's in a stock Viper with stock Michelin tires. In 2001, in the same car, with the same set-up I turned a 2:34 --- but I also fried a set of pads and destroyed my front rotors in one 30 minute session. This is a perfect illustration of how speed will affect pad wear, as speed equals heat. I have since gone to a tested brake ducting system, better fluids, and my pad wear has increased 4 fold. The reason I have brought this up , is that pad wear is often different among fellow participants, and in analysing what works best, it is important to go into types of rotors, pads, fluids, along with driver style.Keep in mind, that what worked last year , may not work this year, as track time ( seat time) often equals greater speed,hence more wear. Bill Pemberton Trophy Placing at Solo II Nationals in 97 Cobra National Champion , Super Stock , Viper Days Track Record Holder - Spec Miata , SCCA Instructor for - Viper Days, Porsche Club, Corvette Club, SCCA, and had the distinct pleasure to help some great drivers including El Head Honcho , Tony, at your last SVT Cobra Track Event.

11-20-2002, 12:29 PM	#15
COBRA #17 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hot Springs VA Posts: 127	WELL BROTHER BILL !!! Well that's funny our situation was different! I was consistantly 1 or 2 seconds faster than SHUGG and easier on pads TOO!! ( HMMM HOW"S THAT !!) His luck was just a little better than mine!!! ( PUNK ) We both had ducts as far as I know ! Maybe it's that extra 50lbs of gut !! I'll leave it at that !!! AI EAST ASST DIECTOR COBRA #17

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