S60r BRAKES

ICEDVOVO

Ordered Brembo rotors to replace the original rotors and while at it ordered Brembo Pads as well.
But after 2 weeks the supplier now tells me he cant get the Brembo rotors as they are out of stock.
So do I run DBA smooth face or RDA 8192 smooth face or RDA 8192D dimpled and slotted as they are in stock.?

jamesinc

I wouldn't think too hard about it, they seem to perform about the same to me.

The theory is that dimples and slots clear gases and debris from between the pad and rotor to improve energy transfer into the rotor.

In practice I can't say I ever noticed a difference (I've used both slotted and standard RDA rotors before), and the slots and dimples will wear down before the disc is at minimum thickness. That last part didn't occur to me when I bought them, so be advised that if you get them for aesthetic reasons, after a while they will look different. The dimples and slots will get shallower as the rotor wears.

ramrod

I prefer no slots or dimples or drilled holes.

I believe those are added for aesthetic reasons.

Forg

They do improve performance, but you need to be pushing the brakes hard before they have an effect. And they don't add a HUGE percentage extra performance potential, so you need to be pretty in-tune with your car's behaviour in a very repeatable situation (eg. on a track as even your favourite piece of windy road probably varies too much - or I guess if the brakes are borderline on the road you might notice more) in order to feel the difference with or without ... and changing pad materials also causes differences in how much the slotting assists, so you can't even back-to-back a set of discs (not so easy in itself) if you also change the pads.
Certainly nowhere near as big an advantage as venting.

It also doesn't help the distrust some people have that some poorly-made discs have been known to crack under punishing use, drilling & slotting adds stresses which need to be relieved properly with ... I think heat treatment, my recollection's a bit vague on that bit, but it's ALSO not something the vast majority can do at home safely (yet too many did it).

ICEDVOVO

Forg DIY drilling and slotting? Cant believe anyone would even try that. Maybe you could test it on solidworks first to establish a safe drilling pattern? But as you say, what would be the benefit unless you are a serious racer.

Love watching the red hot brake discs on race cars as they head into Hell Corner in the bathurst 12 hour at 6am. You really dont get how much stress brake discs are under until you see that.

ICEDVOVO

Dont think I would notice much benefit anyway. Have slotted front rotors on my ute and it hasnt made any difference going down the hill from kurrajong heights, brakes still feel like they are fading down that hill with a full load. But that could be fluids, havent changed brake fluid on any of my cars in 20 years (except the R) Ute fluid is like mud!

ICEDVOVO

Ive ordered DBA 3780E rotors - $264 delivered from Sparesbox.
DBA Street Series En-Shield Plain Rotor - Front for Volvo S60 R (2004-2007)
"The EnShield process begins with a zinc/aluminium water based coating being applied to the entire rotor surface and is then baked on." So I guess that will stink for a while until it wears through.

Genuine Volvo rotors no longer available.

Forg

ICEDVOVO DIY drilling and slotting? Cant believe anyone would even try that. Maybe you could test it on solidworks first to establish a safe drilling pattern? But as you say, what would be the benefit unless you are a serious racer.

Oh that was exactly what @ramrod said ... solely 'cos they thought it looked fully sick. 🙂
People doing stuff for those reasons ain't going so far as any modelling in Solidworks!!

Spac

ICEDVOVO it’s do-able, although more difficult on used rotors that have work hardened.
I know that brakes are one thing you really don’t want to have a problem with, but they’re actually simpler (and have a larger safety margin designed in), than most people think.

Basic rules are “radiused edges, drill between vanes, and heat cycle them carefully”.

But, as we’ve already established, it’s 99% wank - probably even more on road cars - and therefore not worth doing.

ICEDVOVO

Forg Haha!