Best Brake Pads For Slotted And Drilled Rotors
Smooth rotors are recommended for most vehicles that are not used for extreme or repetitive braking. BRAKE PAD GRIP IS STRONGER. SLOTTED and DRILLED rotors have a slight advantage over smooth rotors when it comes to the grip of the pads when you apply the brakes and you will notice this in the initial phase of braking when you press the brake. Smooth rotors are recommended for most vehicles that are not used for extreme or repetitive braking. BRAKE PAD GRIP IS STRONGER. SLOTTED and DRILLED rotors have a slight advantage over smooth rotors when it comes to the grip of the pads when you apply the brakes and you will notice this in the initial phase of braking when you press the brake.
Different PowerStop brake kits come with different types of rotors. It’s good to know the differences in the modifications on the rotors and how they may benefit you.
The Science Behind Heat Transfer in Rotors
Drill holes and slots in rotors can both improve braking, but under different braking scenarios. To understand how these rotor modifications can improve stopping power, it is first necessary to understand the three forms of heat transfer:
All three methods of heat transfer occur when you apply the brakes. During a typical stop, the heat transfer is about 25% conductive, 35% convective, 40% radiation. For a high temperature, high speed stop, the heat transfer is about 15% conductive, 40% convective, 45% radiation. At high speed, convection heat transfer is very important. This is why drill holes can help reduce the brake temperaure. The drill holes help air flow through the vanes. The brake temperature can drop up to 180 degrees. Brake pads work better at lower temperatures, and you reduce the risk of pulsating brakes as well.
So, Drilled or Slotted?
Slotted rotors do not improve any heat transfer. However, the slots can improve brake output by removing gas and dust that is trapped between the pad and rotor. This gas and dust reduces the friction force by preventing the pad from fully contacting the rotor.
Best Brake Pads For Slotted And Drilled Rotors Ford
Given the choice between drill holes and slots, the drill holes will give you better braking power over slots for normal city/highway driving. This is why high end BMW, Porsche, Corvette, and Mercedes rotors are drilled, not slotted. However, for track racing (high speed stops), slotted rotors are the better choice.
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Remember, Don’t Just Stop…PowerStop!