Hi all...

I'm getting the Front Stillen XD Rotors very soon and was wondering if that would affect my braking ratio now. I am keeping my rear rotors stock because they are still brand new (88,000 kms already!)

I heard from the grapevine that I would mess up my braking if I only change 2 rotors.

Is that a myth?

 

I have read where cross-drilled rotors tend to crack. Some say, look for a manufacturer where the rotors aren't drilled, but the holes are cast in.

I have also read of someone else (not a Max driver) who sends his XD rotors out for cryogenic tempering, to extend the duration before cracking happens. His rotors crack within 12k miles without tempering but will last to around 40k with tempering. He thinks this is just great

What kind of experiences have Max owners had with XD rotors? especially the Stillen rotors as I too would like to get them.

BuddyWh

 

Just got off the phone with Kevin @ Stillen. XD rotors sometimes WILL crack but not crack into pieces. They are called hair line cracks. If the crack are towards the outside, you replace them. If they are towards the inside ring then its ok.

Sometimes Stillen uses Brembo blanks and drill holes into them. Brembo is just down the street from Stillen.

So now I guess cracking is OK?!?

 

Is it called something like Dimple ???

 

if you break the rotors in, don't overly abuse them, and don't use overly aggressive brake pads, cracking problems are very minimal. There are hundreds of guys here running xdrilled rotors w/o problems.

 

if you break the rotors in, don't overly abuse them, and don't use overly aggressive brake pads, cracking problems are very minimal. There are hundreds of guys here running xdrilled rotors w/o problems.

No, your brake bias will not be drastically altered. Just plug N play.

 

thats always with any aftermarket stuff...plug and play..see if that messes up your car, if that will make things work. return to stock if doesn't work..But very costly!!

 

You are reading my post wrong. Install the rotors and don't worry about the brake bias or cracking (as long as you follow my recommendations). If you mess around with lower quality products then yes, you can run into problems but if you stick with the known brands, problems are very minimal.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RACEFACE
[B]Hi all...

I heard from the grapevine that I would mess up my braking if I only change 2 rotors.

As got rice? said. Shouldn't be a problem with bias. Only when you change to like a BigBrake on the front or rear will you really change the bias balance. But I changed both sets of rotors & pads just in case.

 

I'll trust ya'll on the bias issue (I take it you run XD rotors?) but the cracking bit still concerns me...

I think I can take the time to break in the new rotors but the reason I want XD rotors, and their "reason for being" IMHO, are to be tolerant of abuse with an aggressive pad. Leastwise as compared to the stock rotors. So if I still have to be gentle and cautious, that kind of leaves me asking why go to the bother and expense.

I don't want to buy these things just for the looks; I want enhanced braking performance and reliability. Now, if you told me that cracking of XD's are just something I have to live with in exchange for superior performance... making the rotors kind of a throw-away item like the pads... I could understand that.

Hence my questions: are the Stillen rotors indeed good XD rotors that I can put on my car and expect a long service life, even with occasional abuse using an aggressive street pad?
Are they "as good as it gets"; cracking is inherent is any XD rotors and their shortened service life is a trade-off racers make for superior performance?
or, finally: are they cheap junk that looks good on a show car but should never be put on the street, much less a track.

Thanks for the information
BuddyWh

 

On my current vehicle I run stock rotors since drilled or slotted rotors are not allowed in my SCCA Street Prepared class. In my previous vehicle (90 300ZX), I used xdrilled rotors in front with no problems and I beat the crap out of that car.

When I refer to hard/extreme conditions, this is basically road racing. Repeated road races will stress any rotor, may it be slotted, drilled, or stock. For street use, you will never heat up/cool down the rotor enough to worry about this type of abuse.

There are hundreds of guys here running xdrilled rotors on the street. Sure, a few have probably had cracking problems but if it was a major issue, you'd see more people posting problems about it and other Max owners would not recommend the upgrade. I think I've only read 1 post in the last half year about cracking.

 

Yes, your braking proportion is going to be messed up, but you have four wheel ABS so you can get away with it.

 

How do you break in the rotors?

 

When I bought the front Stillen XD rotors and pads from Avalon Racing, I was told it was OK to leave the rears as stock. I believe the answer, since he could have easily sold me rears also, but didn't.

 

I read them once and will again before putting them on this upcoming week. From what I remember you need to speed up to 35 and apply the breaks easily and then let them cool. Then repeat this process 9 more times. Sounds to me like a slow drive on a long side road ought to do the trick !!

 

Thanks for the info... I feel pretty confident they will work out well for me now.

Now, I only hope I they're available as cheap as now when/if my front rotors warp again!

Buddywh

 

Every1 has a slightly different method but the main reason is the same - heat up the pads, de-gas the pad, and place a layer of brake pad material on the rotor. Once you do the 35-5 mph (or 45-5 mph) stop, drive around for 10-15+ minutes (highway, if possible) to let them cool down and heat cycle, then park the car for at least an hour to let it cool some more. After that, take it easy for the next 200-500 miles (no high speed stops).

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by got rice?
[B]if you break the rotors in, don't overly abuse them, and don't use overly aggressive brake padsQUOTE]

What would you consider a good pad set to use then?

 

Currently I have slotted/cross-drilled rotors on all four wheels. They are custom by powerslot. I put the front ones on first. I use Axxis Metal Masters for pads on all fours wheels. They are working excellent, nice stopping performance with minimal brake dust. If you want harding stopping use the Axxis Performance (I think?) pads. There was no brake bias with only having changed my front rotors first. If the rotor is the same size as stock, then there will be no problems with that. Cars are made that way because the front rotors have a tendency to wear out (thickness, warping, cracking) obviously. Remember to set your brakes after you change the rotors; pumping the pedal a couple times.

I did not break my rotors in, OOPS! Although I don't think the number of starts and stops with them is so much an issue as to how hard you brake initially. I did ease the stops, and didn't brake hard so I doubt I'll have any problems.

If any problems arise I'll post it on here.

 

a bunch of guys here use the Axxis MM pads and I would say most are happy with them. A few said they dust too much and are trying different pads like Hawk HPS or Porterfields. Any of those three are fine