355 drilled discs? | FerrariChat

355 drilled discs?

Discussion in '348/355' started by TimsBlack16M, Mar 24, 2005.

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  1. TimsBlack16M

    TimsBlack16M Formula 3

    Jan 27, 2005
    1,365
    Agoura Hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Tim
    Do the factory optional drilled brake rotors offer any significant advantages other than cosmetic (ie: less unspring weight, better braking, better cooling, less fading, etc.)? Is it worth the effort and cost (approx $1600) to switch from stock nondrilled brake rotors? I have drilled. My buddy has nondrilled, and is debating the merits of upgrading. Thanks for your thoughts. Tim
     
  2. rossi

    rossi Formula Junior

    Feb 6, 2004
    480
    Drilled should be better in the rain, cause water can better flow off the rotor.
     
  3. vincent355

    vincent355 F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 8, 2003
    6,516
    Wine Country
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    Vincent
    I've never done it, but I remember a few discussions about this on here.

    Summary: Drilled is for show.
     
  4. vincent355

    vincent355 F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 8, 2003
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    Vincent
  5. vincent355

    vincent355 F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 8, 2003
    6,516
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    Vincent
    I'll save everybody the hassle of linking over. Feeling a little saucy today.


    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jselevan
    There seems to be a fair amount of folklore concerning slotted versus cross-drilled versus solid rotors.

    Agreed.
    Quote:
    1) How much do those holes weigh? Not much. The weight saving would seem to be minimal, and not worth the effort or potential that discontinuities in the metallurgy will produce (read propensity to crack). Slots, like holes, offer minimal weight savings.

    Drilling is only worth it, as I stated, for light-weight, low-powered race cars who's rotors are large, too large, and a performance gain can be made by removing mass (MOI and unsprung weight, at a cost of component life).

    Quote:
    2) Cooling? Surface area is what provides heat dissipation. Mass provides thermal "inertia". The greater the mass, the longer it takes to heat an object, and the longer it takes to cool. ...

    Agreed.
    Quote:
    3) Braking efficiency - ...The contact surface area of pad against rotor is the critical issue.

    Along with mean diameter and mass, agreed.
    Quote:
    4) Wet braking. ... The slots or rotors provide an escape route for water. ...

    On a motorcycle, sure, car, not an issue.
    Quote:
    In summary - ... The only reason to consider rotors with defects (holes or slots) is for wet braking and cosmetics. Weight, heat, and "out gassing" simply don't cut it.

    My thoughts.

    Jim S.


    Weight, yes, but only in certain, specific, limited applications. Otherwise, no way, one needs the mass.

    Cosmetics, yes, marketing drives this decision (because it adds cost, does not improve performance (so the engineers are not lobbying for drilled rotors, the marketing department is.)

    Out gassing is taken care of during pad bedding (break-in of the brake pads).

    Slots are there, and a performance benefit, to reduce the build up of aggressive pad dust, which scores the rotor surface, to the detriment of friction and rotor life. In race applications. Otherwise, this too is marketing on a road car.


    Best regards,

    Rob Schermerhorn
     
  6. AHG

    AHG Karting

    Jul 10, 2004
    234
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    I have tried the Brembo drilled rotors on my 1999 355F1.
    They look better...that is about the only positive thing I can say.
    As I track my car a fair bit, I found no improvement in the actual braking, and pretty soon little cracks started to appear between the holes. As soon as these became more pronounced and started to get close to the edge of the rotor, I replaced them with the standard solid rotor, which like the original rotor, I am finding last a lot longer.
     
  7. tonyyoshi

    tonyyoshi Formula Junior

    Jan 8, 2005
    308
    Hong Kong
    Full Name:
    Tony Brooker
    Interestingly the F430 Carbon brakes are drilled. The fronts are also 380mm!!!! I had a look at them yesterday in the Ferrari showroom and all I can say is WOW!!! They are also 6 pot. Rears 4 pot.
     
  8. AHG

    AHG Karting

    Jul 10, 2004
    234
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    I agree Tony, they look absolutely awesome.
    All reports on them and from our FChat CS owners say they are a magnificent braking system, especially if you like to do track work.
    I will be having them on my F430, even though they are going to cost an extra A$36,000 plus stamp duty!
     

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