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ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it? (might not be for STi)

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14K views 65 replies 25 participants last post by  2000Accord5sp  
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#1 · (Edited)
My stock front brake pads are finally finished, and I was trying to determine a good brake pad to replace them. As you know some pads are more harsh on the rotors, while some others are not.

I talked to my brother (who drives '01 Corvette Z06) and he said Corvette guys who also go to track often use race pads, and they just use the rotors from Napa ($40). Then I talked to my girlfriend who has an Integra Type-R with race tires and coilovers, with which she goes to lapping days quite often, and I learned that she is ALSO simply using Rotors from Napa for about $40!

So, what is our problem? Why can't we just use a simple blank rotor from Napa? Don't tell me we should never save money on brakes; I don't think Corvette guys and all other communities are having casualties due to Napa rotors ;)

Napa has two rotors:
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpag...PageId=470&LineCode=NB&PartNumber=48880141&Description=Brake+Rotor+Only+-+Front
($46 each)

http://www.napaonline.com/masterpag...x?PageId=470&LineCode=UP&PartNumber=880141&Description=Brake+Rotor+Only+-+Front
($86 each).

Has anyone used these before? It clearly states (especially at the second one) that it meets and exceeds all the specs for stock rotors. It even says that it has the same vane design as the stock part. Since the stock is already pretty good, why can't we use them?

FYI, they are not slotted, they are blank, but they are vented.

- Ozer
 
#2 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it????

i agree unless they're way way more prone to warpage/cracking due to inferior material or design. even if they wear, warp, etc 5 times as fast, they'd still be cheaper if you installed it by yourself based on the prices you posted. having to keep replacing/ reinstalling them would get old but it's not like it's that difficult.

i'd be willing to test a set if i didn't just buy new rotors.
 
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#3 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it????

well brakes are gonna get roasted on the track anyways, if u can afford it, do the napa way if u know its gonna get beat up.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it????

edit: Is that price for each rotor? I ask because it says rotor and not rotors.

I was thinking of going this route next time. I would carry an extra set of rotors just in case of failure at the track.

I dropped $320 on DBA 4000 slotted front rotors already and I get that overpaid feeling.
 
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#5 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it????

The expensive one makes $190 a pair and the other one makes $90 a pair, and it's a crazy price !!

I think I will try the more expensive one since the explanation of that product looks very confident. I think, considering the brand markups on the other brands, this $190/pair rotors can be really as good as the stock ones!

Had anyone used these before?

- Ozer
 
#7 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it????

I bought them for my bugeye. As you can see, I'm still alive, the rotors work, good stuff for the price imo.
 
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#8 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it????

Which one did you buy? The cheapest or that more expensive one? : )

ACHAHockey said:
I bought them for my bugeye. As you can see, I'm still alive, the rotors work, good stuff for the price imo.
Click to expand...
 
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#11 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it????

:eek: the price is unheard of... maybe I need to take a drive to the nearest NAPA store and atleast talk to the guys there. find out info and look/inspect the rotors.


Suscribed as well ;)
 
#12 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it????

I've been selling auto parts for over 35 years and deal with some of the most "exclusive (and expensive) import repair specialists" on the east coast. It is very common for these shops to use relatively inexpensive blanks and original equipment brake pads. They do this on all cars- Japanese, German, Swedish, etc. I don't think you folks would have a problem with cheap blanks as long as you use a quality pad.
 
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#13 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it????

That's insanely cheap. I was going to drop $$$ on DBA's when I'm due for new rotors, but this certainly gets me thinking... hmmm.....
 
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#15 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it????

There is something to be said for using super cheap rotors and just replacing them more often, but there are also some key advantages to using quality rotors, especially for track use. Most of them use advanced vain designs for better cooling, which not only helps prevent fade, but prolongs the life of pads and the rotors themselves. Also, the 2-piece rotors with aluminum hats transfer less heat from the rotor to the hub, preserving wheel bearings to an extent. So there is a good reason to spend the money for good rotors, but there will still be people out there using the cheap stuff without problems.

-Dan
 
#17 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it????

Ozer said:
Which one did you buy? The cheapest or that more expensive one? : )
Click to expand...
The $86 ones iirc. They're good rotors. Drove them all last winter, not even a rust spot on them. I put Porterfield pads on with them and the brakes are really nice.
 
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#18 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it????

Ok, what I understand from the thread is, those $86/piece rotors are really worth trying! I will do that when I wear out my stock ones.

I think the $86/piece one is identical to stock in vane design, etc., so it should hopefully be adequate for tracking, too, while it does not say much about that $46/piece one.

Since I want to attend lapping days every month, I guess the best one for me would be the $86/piece one, while $46/piece one would probably be OK, too, if you are just daily driving the car :)
 
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#20 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it????

I have bad news. I have been looking at specs of rotors offered by Napa, AutoZone, PepBoys, and Shucks. They are all 11.545" in diameter! Therefore, even though their web sites state that they are for STi, they are in fact for WRX. What a pity.

BTW, as far as I understand, if you find cheap rotors, MAKE SURE they are blank, and NOT slotted or drilled. For cheap rotors, going blank is a much safer bet.

I can't find ANY brakes for cheap for the STis right now. If you guys could find one, let me know!

Do you guys know the full specs of our stock rotors?
 
#21 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it? (might not be for STi)

Bummer..I got a fresh pair of rear stockers just waiting for a track day;) ..I would also prefer to buy higher name rotors. I simply belive the compisition of the metal compounds are diffrent. And more researched. And probly not heat up as much. IMO
 
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#22 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it? (might not be for STi)

I am still researching. What would you guys say about Powerslot rotors?
http://thmotorsports.com/Store/Product/ItmGroupDetail.aspx?GroupId=50065

I found them for $104 each for fronts at this link above. It is a NASIOC vendor. I will look for other vendors' postings and try to find any cheaper. If not, I'll buy ;)

The part numbers for PowerSlot (year, model, front, rear)
2005/6 WRX STI (5x114.3 bolt circle only) 737 PSL & 737 PSR 738 PSL & 738 PSR
2004 WRX STI (5x100 bolt circle only) 735 PSL & 735 PSR 736 PSL & 736 PSR
 
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#25 · (Edited)
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it? (might not be for STi)

I know that everyone has their own budget constraints etc, but I dont see brakes as the item you want to bargain shop.

I read that many street guys are getting 40k miles on their rotors which is great. When you factor the price of quality rotors over the miles, you actually still get quite a bargain. Shopping for gas that is a few pennies cheaper per gallon will, over time, pay for the best 2-piece rotors you can buy.

Check out these stock replacement rotors from Stoptech, they will fit your stock calipers and are much lighter/better.

http://www.stoptech.com/products/rotors.shtml

I had many problems with the previous brake kit i was using (not SToptech at that time) and I actually had to resort to the stock rotors as backups several times. Surprisingly, they performed well but their extra weight was apparent.

Just MHO :D


BTW, here are some stock replacement Brembo front rotors for $54 including shipping, rears are $43. Prob no tax if shipped from out of state. If you're gonna be cheap, at least get these rotors.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/p...m/performance/basket.php?brandid=3790&partid=78&makeid=31&modelid=313&year=2004

If you are extremely cheap, here is a complete set of slotted and drilled rotors for about $150! Just dont tailgate me cause I dont want your grill in my trunk.... :eek: :lol:

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/brakeplanet/Items/es14252?sck=74817754

:D
 
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#26 ·
Re: ROTORS: Why not cheap blanks from Napa? Corvette guys do it? (might not be for STi)

Unfortunately, those blanks are for Impreza, not STi. I looked for Brembo rotors everywhere my friend; if there was a deal, I would post it here : )

Latest update on my quest for getting ripped less:
Honestly, I am still not convinced extra 5 times $$$ you pay is worth it. This feels like that cell phone hoax, which is supposed to crash airplanes (considering thousands of passengers forget to turn off their phones every day, we know that they don't!). You can use a decent cheap rotor set with agressive pads and perform much better in the end! After all, what is keeping most guys from aggressive pads is their rotors' life.

I am finally settled to a few options (I've searched until late night yesterday, too :)):
- Rotora blanks --> Found a pair for $220 shipped (PM price)
- Powerslot slotted --> Found a pair for $220 shipped (negotiated the price)
- DBA 4000 6x6 --> Found them for $290 pair (PM price)

Even though DBA looks much closer in price now, I am really not convinced we would see a huge benefit, and since Powerslot is a good brand, too, I will probably order Powerslot. It is still 110/pair shipped; not too bad.
 
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