Slotted V. Drilled Rotors? Which is better?

Question

I plan to buy either slotted or drilled rotors. Which do you recommend for every day driving and why?

Answer 1

Neither. Manufacturers of either type make grand claims for performance gains. That's how they sell this snake oil, and they sell a lot of it. The problem is these claims are quite unproven in real world testing. It is worth noting that few full-out racing cars use these types of rotors.

For all intents and purposes drilled or slotted (or both) rotors are appearance, not performance products. Brembo even has a warning on their cross-drilled rotors stating they are not designed for high-speed use!

If you want improved braking, look to higher performance pads and fluid. If you think drilled or slotted rotors make chicks hot for you, get them for that reason. But don't get them for a performance enhancement.

Answer 2

First let me explain to you the benefits of each type of modified brake rotor. Keep in mind, the benefits of slotting or drilling rotors is hottly debated among automotive experts. Slotting your rotors or buying replacement pre-slotted rotors, is not proven to shorten stopping distances. It does, however, act like a razor for your brake pads, shaving and cleaning off harmful brake-force robbing deposits. It's also rumored to accelerate the rotor's cooling by letting air penetrate deeper into the rotor's mass. Cross drilling rotors reduces rotational weight of your brake system, therefore improving brake distances by a few inches, which is a very miniscule amount (braking is measured in feet not inches). Cross drilling also greatly improves the speed at which your rotor will cool from high temps. Overall, they are both cheap, excellent upgrades for any vehicle. If you install slotted and/or cross-drilled rotors on your vehicle you will likely see identical stopping distances as before the upgrade. However, you will experince much less brake fade in long hard driving condition. Neither of them will get hot and quit on you. They make rotors that are both slotted and crossdrilled, my personal reccomendation and the industry leader would be Brembo Brakes. They can set you up with a custom set specifically for your vehicle. All their products are race tested. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

they are really for different reasons--gas slotted are for increased cooling and drilled are for weight mass reduction to reduce the energy needed to turn and stop the rotors ---that is why you can get slotted and drilled rotors---what would i recommend for everyday driving ?--- none of the above. Unless your doing massive amounts of high speed braking that you have a problem with brake fade from heat and inertia--they are a waste of money. most can't be turned, warp, and crack.
also because of the fact that most cars have a anti-lock breaking system, you may not see any benefit with the rotors. a too rapid decent in wheel speed may be misinterpreted as a wheel lock up--and the braking system may reduce the braking pressure so that no benifit was created by using them.

Answer 4

I would recommend slotted rotors, drilled rotors tend to develop cracks around the drill holes under heavy use.

Answer 5

Slotted are better for every day use the drill are not as strong in the long run but better for racing where they do get replaced

Answer 6

Slots provide better heat dispersion, but cost is a factor withthe pads. Go with a High quality cross drilled pair and get great performance, and safer stopping in wet weather

Answer 7

Depends on what kind of driving you do. Drilled offer better performance, slotted are cheaper and last longer.

Answer 8

Slotted tend to dissapate heat quicker, which makes them less likely to fade. That's the way I would go.