Rotors advice

[EMarx]

I need new front rotors for my MazdaSpeed Protege 2003.5, what is a good brand ? also are Akebono good enough pads ??? Thank you !

E.

[evilmonkeyMSP]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123716295

Front Brake Rotors (Sold as Pairs)
Centric Blank Non Coated Rotors - $48.80
Centric Blank Black E-Coated Rotors - $88.00
Stoptech Slotted Black E-Coated Rotors - $170.00

Rear Brake Rotors (Sold as Pairs)
Centric Blank Non Coated Rotors - $43.00
Centric Blank Black E-Coated Rotors - $76.00
Stoptech Slotted Black E-Coated Rotors - $138.00
Stoptech Slotted/Drilled Black E-Coated Rotors - $146.00
Stoptech Drilled Black E-Coated Rotors - $132.00

Non slotted stock style rotors are the best bet and best price. No reason to use anything else.

Also great prices on break pads in that thread. If just just want something for normal use go with the Posi Quite Ceramics.

[EMarx]

I was looking at the Rotora rotors (drilled only), I wanted something a little better than the stock rotors and pads, i didn't look at the slotted rotors, just the drilled ones. What do you think ?

[evilmonkeyMSP]

Honestly, there's no point in slotted or drilled rotors. The stock ones will perform better in most cases. If you want better brakes then get a more aggressive pad.

[EMarx]

Ok, what would be a more aggressive pad ? I read a little about the Hawks, but they're kind of high, how bout Akebono? I was looking at the drilled rotors cause I'm sure they'd look good and work fine too.

[ls six]

If you want better braking consider steping up to Mazda6 11.8" front rotors along with the needed calipers and pads.

Your stockers are 11.1" so as long as you dont need to fit 15" wheels the 6 brakes are a good option for not much money.

As for the brand of rotors , Brembo blanks (non slotted or drilled) are tough to beat for the price.

Pads are up to you, noone can say what will work best for your needs and you might need to experiment a bit.

[EMarx]

thank you ! any suggestions on a good website to buy the brembo rotors at a good price? ?

[EMarx]

Anybody ?

[Outlawstar98]

http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/product_info.php?cPath=32_176&products_id=1471
http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/product_info.php?cPath=32_176&products_id=1480
http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/product_info.php?cPath=32_176&products_id=536
http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/product_info.php?cPath=32_176&products_id=315
^ all you need, its the best set up IMO, NEVER get drilled, its not worth it besides it looks good, slotted preforms better.




DRILLED: Has LESS metal material and therefor has less metal to dissipate heat. Also, drilled can play 'connect the dots' (read: crack). Will avoid discussing rotor warping.

Keep in mind many companies just drill holes in a solid rotor and the holes ARE NOT part of the manufacturing process. This can cause metal irregularities and 'connect the dots.' Yes, the holes may help during rain to rid water float, yet the same can be said for slotted (and slotted is more effective here due to the wiping effect of the angled slots). And if you feel drilling saves weight on the rotors, it does, but it also LOWERS the amount of metal on the rotor that stops the car. As i recall, solid rotor is 100% material touching the pad, slotted is about 92% and drilled is 85%. More metal equals more pad grip and lower stopping distances.

SLOTTED: More material than drilled means better heat dissipation. During wet driving the slots have a better wiping away of water versus drilled. Slots also wipe the pads to keep the pad surface clean.

Am avoiding the whole brake pad out gassing issue as this MIGHT happen DURING bedding in, yet once the pads are bedded this is really a nearly moot point on modern high-performance pads.

If you are just Joe Driver with the sporty Grocery Getter, a stock setup is fine. If you enjoy more inspired driving in the streets, aftermarket slotted can help but MAKE SURE you match the front and rear as there is a balance (front/rear bias) engineered into your car's brake system and if you do not know what you are doing, altering this balance can spell disaster.




Found this on RX7 club:
"More facts about rotors. May the great myth of drilling rotors for improved cooling finally die...

Darrick Dong; Director of Motorsports at Performance Friction.

"In the days of asbestos pads there was a gas boundary layer that appeared at the interface area of the pad and rotor. Although that gas boundary layer still occurs it is much less of a problem with modern friction materials. Slots are more than adequate to carry that gas away. Years ago that gas boundary, along with reducing weight, led to the popularity of drilled rotors. However, in the intervening period, the myth has persisted that cooling is the main reason for drilled rotors. Anyone that tells you that drilling makes the disc run cooler is smoking crack."

Why is Dong so adamant? Because he works with racing brake systems for a living and it isn't too hard to take two identical rotors, drill one of them and slot the other, put them on a brake dyno and measure temps and life. "



I posted that in another topic, which can be found here:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123740284

[EMarx]

Found Brembo regular rotors for $60 ($30 eah) at Imported Replacement Parts, anybody heard of this site ???

[Outlawstar98]

Nope, Just deal with Protege garage or *************, forget anyone else for protege parts!

[solo.]

So I researched Import Replacement Parts and they seem legit. They are vendors on a few forums too.

So $200 for brembo blanks, is that too good to be true?

[Outlawstar98]

all 4? naa seams average for blanks, they are like the stock ones.... I would go with slotted just beacuse :D