Question guys. are slotted/drilled brake rotors necessary?

[Clyde65]

I need to replace one rotor due to no room left to turn, the other one is ok, but will only be able to be turned this time so, I just thought I would replace both.

[duallyjams]

They due provide better brake performance in today's world of highway ( high speed ) driving just as today's tire's perform better.
I added slotted rotors and better calibers over stock, it made such a big difference that I will always upgrade when possible.

[LT1 Burb]

They were on my Yukon XL but I don't think on these trucks, they are not that heavy.

[da_bears_da1]

Necessary....no. Desirable....yes.

I put on new discs on the front of my 65 stepside, wanted to drop it 2.5 inches. The drilled and slotted rotors were $70 more so I did go ahead and put them on. My truck is going to be custom so it seemed to fit for what I am shooting for.

There are a lot of vehicles that are designed to run at high speeds that do not come with drilled and slotted rotors. You will find them on more vehicles today than a few years ago.

[lil_sahara450r]

Agree ^^^. More of a look thing for me and the added braking performance is a welcomed addition.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Clyde65]

I am planning on towing a travel trailer with my truck so the extra braking performance would be beneficial I believe. i have also thought about rear discs using Captn Fabs brackets but haven't jumped at that yet.

Thanks guys, Ill continue to read what others have done, I am thinking about getting them from Summit, I have a 71/72 drop spindles to install also so the front brakes will be all new ( rear were upgraded last year when I rebuilt the rear end.

[Bret B]

I have gone over this same type of conversation with my powerstroke truck, slotted vs drilled, vented vs slotted and drilled, etc. The reality is, drilled rotors can, not saying always, crack between the drill holes. They can also spider crack out from the holes. This is caused by extreme heat. The hats have also been known to crack, not all types, but some. True statement, drilling them is to keep them cooler. However, the heat has to transfer somewhere first. The bottom line for my powerstroke application was the PowerSlot Cryo treated, slotted rotors. They are not drilled, but slotted, and there is a huge difference over any other combination I've ever done. Adding proper pads also helped tremendously as well.

Draw backs to slotted and/or drilled rotors, some shops will not turn them because the holes/slots break their bits. Less turning depth means longer work time, which equates to less money. Also, some can not be turned, or are recommended not to be turned. Slap some new pads in, seat them with serious friction heat, and drive on. Finally, the cost difference can almost be triple over an oem vented rotor. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and others are coming std with drilled rotors. Please note those are on the upper end, or "performance" packages and they don't have the longevity as a std vented rotor.

The ultimate decision comes down to looks, your pocket book, and practicality. I tow sometimes with my 'stroke so I wanted uncompromising stopping performance. I don't need to have pretty drilled rotors smiling at everyone, I need functionality. Not to mention the fact the lil'piglet is 7400lbs. On my '65, I'm likely not to use drilled rotors because of the cracking issue and because with limited use, the holes rust up as well as they do on the vents. With that said, I'd research slotted rotors if they're available.

Just my .02

[McCoyAZ]

http://brakeperformance.com/ is where I got my rotors.

They are well made and come with the pads included and free shipping.

[newbe351]

Recent Article...

http://www.onallcylinders.com/2013/0...-brake-rotors/

Also pads....

http://www.onallcylinders.com/2013/0...pad-materials/