Slotting in general creates less of a stress factor than a drilled hole. Slotting is useful to scrape down the pad face, and keep it clean in applications where that may be necessary. Racing, and Rally etc type applications are the most notable examples.

Run, don't walk, from any drilled rotor that hasn't had the edges properly radiused. Radiusing the edges of the holes will decrease the stress concentration, but nowhere near eliminate it. So basically, its a little better, but not enough to make it worthwhile. Further, cooling benefits of drilled holes are minimal, and even possibly negative in a rotor not very specifically designed to make use of them. Very few rotors designed like that exist. Further, even when designed to use them, the benefit is minimal over a properly vented plain or slotted rotor. Plus, no matter what you do, a drilled rotor will still crack sooner than a similar plain faced rotor.

For durable reasons I'd pick the slots over the holes any day. That being said all four of the race car rotors are drilled. But I know that and pay attention to them.

The slot shown doesn't seem to me to offer and advantage over about a dozen other formats I have on file. *gotta add one more!

There are a number of patterns and designs that all claim to be the best or better than others. This way, that way, this design, those dimples yada-yada. One that did come to mind as both odd and worth a look is the factory Wilwood pattern that is no symetrical. This limiting harmonics at say 30 degree increments. Even by their own comments this is of minimal value to the average consumer under 150mph...

If I could find a way I'd really love to post all the patterns I have on file. I need to find a hosting site to put them into. It's really kinda funny.

I'll agree with RARA too but always point out that I know of no rotor that is truly relieved on all four sides. Most get two and thats the best you get.

Just the two people I wanted to respond. Thanks Rara & Todd! I just can't help but over the looks of the cross drilled and slotted rotors. I think I may just go with the slotted and see how they workout. Just weighing my options before I spend a bunch of $$$. Thanks again!

Mark

I have been one of the most vocal about there being no benefit to drilled and slotted rotors except for looks. I still believe that is correct, however I did get seduced by the looks and now have drilled and slotted rotors on my own car. I did it for looks though, and I'm well of the potential pitfalls.

Whatever you end up using, if you do have slotted or drilled and slotted or slotted with some sort of dimple (like EBC or the diamond pattern you referred to) look for something that hase been liberally champhered to help cut down on the stress risers.

You would rally be better off with plain rotors that at the most you have had some color added (zinc plating, anadizing, etc.).

Mine are zinc plated and I have also painted the non friction areas with silver caliper paint. There are those that will say that the paint is not a good idea and will hurt heat transfer, but that is insignificant compared to the damage from drilling and slotting.

He's hooked. LOL

I won't ever say 'no benefit' but marginal enough for the average street driver to never know the difference. In a blind driving test....

Todd I'm wavering.

What benefit will I get with just bigger rotors with a stock caliper (As in FSVT setup) versus a full brake kit from you?
I understand lighter is better but how much better are the rotors in performance to justify the cost?
What about replacement parts and will I loose my pants on the first brake job?
On the other hand I'm tired of smoking out a set of brakes/rotors because I can go so darn fast and then I have to brake really fast too....

Originally posted by warmonger:

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Todd I'm wavering.

What benefit will I get with just bigger rotors with a stock caliper (As in FSVT setup) versus a full brake kit from you?
I understand lighter is better but how much better are the rotors in performance to justify the cost?
What about replacement parts and will I loose my pants on the first brake job?
On the other hand I'm tired of smoking out a set of brakes/rotors because I can go so darn fast and then I have to brake really fast too....

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Going to a larger diameter rotor with a stock calipers will get you two things.
1. Some increase in stopping power for a given pedal pressure. note that it won't stop much quicker than the stock setup on the same tires and pads, maybe just a little because of the initial buildup being quicker. It will feel like it stops harder though, because it will take less pedal pressure to get the same braking.

2. Improved fade resistance. The larger diameter rotor has more more mass, and therefore can absorb more energy before overheating the pads than the stock rotor.


Now, Todd's setup will improve a few other things.
1. Increase in stopping power. Same idea here, only a little more so. Plus there is a wide selection of high performance pads for the Calipers that Todd uses.

2. Improved fade resistance. Again, more mass where it counts than the stocker, but couple that with a multi-piston caliper, where less heat reaches the fluid, combined with a rotor designed for better cooling and higher performance pads, and fade becomes virtually non-existant.

3. Less rotor "warpage". Most "warped" rotors are just worn unevenly from minor off-brake dragging against a pad. Fixed calipers are much better at fighting this than the stock floating type of caliper. Pistons on both sides retract when the pedal is released, allowing both pads to move away from the rotor. The result is that the driver gets less pedal pulsation than they would w/ the standard caliper.

4. Less Taper wear. most performance brake setups take extra special measures to combat uneven pad wear. Todd's setup uses calipers with staggered piston sizes, which ensure the pads wear nice and evenly.

5. Improved pedal feel. A proper fixed caliper will be much more stiff than your typical floating caliper. The result is less pedal travel eaten up by compensating for deflection in the system. A good analogy is that the stock caliper is like the stock rubber brake hoses, and the fixed caliper is like stainless steel braided hoses.

6. And of course, there is always something to be said for "bling factor"