autozone Blank rotors Vs. Brembo Blank Rotors...

[driftin8ez]

Like the topic says. I'm going to be upgrading my braking system soon and i will be replacing my rotors. I wanted to go with some brembo blank rotors but i friend said why not just go to autozone or pepboys and get some blank rotors. At which point i said ..... ummmm ... I'll get back to you on that. So i ran here.....

[rico05]

I got into a conversation with a guy at Napa about this when I redid my brakes. I went in asking for "cheap rear rotors" as I already had Brembo blanks on the front. He basically said that the quality of the rotor (like everything else in the world) is reflected in the price. He said that their el cheapo rotors will warp in a matter of months on street cars driven by grandma. Think what a few autox sessions or hot laps, or even drift sessions will do to those crappy rotors. Me? I have Brembo blanks all around.

[180fan]

yeah I dont think we need to talk about this one...

[driftin8ez]

alright i get the picture. I new there was a reason i wanted to get brembo's. I just couldn't put it into words. Just a gut feeling about not riding around on inferior rotors:-)

[rico05]

When I go to Q45 calipers and Axxis Ultimates in the fall, I am getting Brembo slotted as well. Can't beat German quality control.

[Touchdown038]

I've been running Napa cheapo rear rotors for over a year now and there's no sign of warping, at least from what I feel when I stop.

But, I'm sure the quality on the Brembos can't be beat. Go for them if you have the cash.

[Def]

Most Brembo blanks are made in China from what I've seen. They're nice, but not plated in gold or anything. They're like any other cast iron rotor out there as long as the casting and machining tolerances are acceptable(which 99% are).

Alot of guys that race in Honda Challenge run on $20 Autozone rotors due to a warranty. *ANY* cast iron rotor will crack when raced hard on given enough time, especially one that is highly stressed like dinky Civic rotors. So they just get surface cracks all over them then get new ones every few months.

I've personally bought 3 full sets of Brembo blanks over the past 6-7 years and I've never been super impressed with the quality of any of them. They're like any other blank cast rotor from what I've seen.

[Q45tech]

Without xraying the cast crystaline structure of the cast iron you never know what you are getting.

The last thing you want are slots or hole in some economy grade material rotor...........better off with smooth at the bottom of food chain.

Powerstop or oem for the front, the rears are so less stressed [relatively] that most brands will work fine.

On the rear the 9mm [non vented] all warp [all brands] at pretty much the same rate..........bent hubs, sloppy bearings, and lack of caliper rebuilds.

We have a local [Chinese] rotor supplier that offers TWO GRADES of rotors.........there is an $11 wholesale difference on the front of Q and a pound diference in weight.......quality look vs. generic replacements.........they supply the cheapest vs to the national chain brake shops and national chain parts stores.We buy the premium version and as far as we know are the only customer.

Gives customers a choice vs oem vs Powerstop. 98% choose lowest price since we have no antiwarping warranty.

[rico05]

I wanna know why the guy at Napa basically sent my money out the door then?

[Exar-Kun]

something to consider, also...

vaning in the vented rotors..some cheap rotors the vanes will be poorer or not up to OEM spec...

powerstop makes nice rotors, and if you can find OE ones...go for it.

form what I've seen dealing with various rotors, the 5$ price differnet (wholesale) between "white box" and a better grade rotor means a few things-better finish machining from the factory(I dont have to remachine the rotor before I put it onto the car) and usually a better finish.

-chet

[driftin8ez]

if i go with autozone blanks for the front do you think redrilling them to be 4 lug will void any ability to get new ones for free if they crack not do to the redrilling?

[veilside180sx]

im sure it will if you alter them

[slipnfall]

Can't beat German quality control.

Sorry but I have to pause to laugh at that one. YMMV, but my past experiances with German QC has been horrific. Granted this was only for safety devices on heavy industrial equipment(ie cranes)... Different market, by far, but a german return label doesn't exactly make me feel all safe 'n cushy.

Sorry, now back on topic...-Slip

[Q45tech]

Weight of the rotor is by far the best indicator! As premium gray iron weights more and cost more to ship.........secure and weigh oem [to the gram] and compare everything else.

112grams ~~4 ounces is significant! The cheapest chinese front rotors weigh 7% = a pound less............which means for the same braking load the rotor temperature rise will be at minimum 7% more ............70F@ 1000F.

Only oem and expensive aftermarket are balanced internally in the air vanes.

[aither]

does anyone know if powerslot rotors have directional veining?

[Grant@tirerack]

Both Powerslot and Brembo use O.E. directional vanes and specs (most Powerslot rotors are Brembo castings).

[aither]

ahh, so for Z32 rotors, power slot and brembo will be OE, meaning no direction veining, right?