I run Raysbestos Advanced Technology Ceramic pads and Baer Drilled/Slotted rotors. Stops on a dime!

 

search on ebay thers alot of diff ones


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/94-99...Q5fAccessories

 

Best brake pad I ever used was a brand called Performance Friction. Tried every premium brake the local shops had and this one beats them hands down.

 

Drilled and/or slotted rotors were born like most performance parts, from racing. Mind you, drilled rotors do nothing to improve stopping, just makes them lighter. Slotted on the other hand, will help disipate heat and dust(think glazing pads). Now on race cars some will mix and match rotor sizes and types against different types or hardness of pads for desired braking. Unless you have a sponsorship by a brake company, or ALOT of disposable income, trying this on your car or truck is not really feasable. I personally use raybestos on my truck for brake pads,shoes,etc.

One last thing, slotted rotors ARE directional. the vanes cut into them are specific to rotation. Drilled rotors, unless you are buying race specfic brands( wilwood, outlaw brake, brakeman) are not gonna make that much difference compared to what they cost. I am all for KISS (keep it simple stupid). With over 25 years of expirence in fabricating,repairing,maintaining, and racing mine and my customers equipment, this I do know. Race grade parts will drain your wallet faster than filling your rig up, and usually not really needed or nessecary.

 

But Drilled/Slotted rotors do help solve a common problem with our trucks: Warpage or the rotors.

 

What I've found in the parts business is that cheap rotors tend to warp quicker than good quality ones. And cheap rotors with cheap pads tend to have even more issues. The lower quality metallurgy and/or lining construction simply doesn't disapate heat as well.
While you can pay too much, you can also pay too little...or is it that you get what you pay for? I forget.

 

You have to consider, are you doing this for performance or looks? Slotted or drilled rotors are made to dissipate heat quickly when you are having over heating issues such as in racing, or if you go downgrade a lot. If not, then it's just for looks. Maybe he has some fancy open rims and he wants people to see his rotors. If none of the above, then just get good rotors and pads and don't worry about the slots or holes. If all you want is good stopping power, then just get good quality parts. Have used Raybestos for years and never had any problems. BTW there are no lifetime warranties any more. I know what Laramie is talking about, I used to have that on two cars of mine. Kragen was giving lifetime warranties on their top of the line brakes but they stopped it a couple of years ago because they were loosing money on it. I had to keep arguing with them every time I would take mine back for a new pair. I kept telling them you can't change a contract in mid stream, but bone head managers don't know squat about contract law, needless to say I would walk about with a new free pair each time after much arguing, but it doesn't apply to anything you buy today.
Auto parts stores were selling lifetime warranty stuff years back relying on the fact most people would loose their receipts and thus loose their privileges. They hate people like me who hang on to receipts for years.

 

In 17 years of writing for performance magazines, this is the one thing I have always made an issue of. Unfortunately, most people just don't get it. They see something on TV or in a magazine and they just have to have it, regardless of whether it fits their application or intended use. The demands of racing often have little relevance to how us mere mortals use our vehicles, but that doesn't stop places like Autozone and Pep Boys from pushing these ill-suited accessories off on clueless customers. Don't buy into the hype.

 

Not all cross drilled rotors crack. I had Power Stop Rotors on my truck for quite along time and used them until they no longer could be turned. Never cracked at all even when they got thin. It just depends on who makes them. When I replaced them I went back to OEM rotors and have regretted them since. I have replaced them again. Next time if I keep that truck I will buy another set of Power Stops. Lasted a long time. Stopped good too.