Carbon brake rotors

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

The newest generation ZR1 brake rotors use a reinforced carbon ceramic silicon carbide composite.

OK, that explains why they might last a while. Sloppy language from people who don't understand basic chemistry or materials - like the ones who don't understand the difference between silicon and silicone. Calling them 'carbon' makes me think of e.g. the brushes in an electric motor.

[gone-ot]

...or, the pencil lead in a kindergartener's pencil?

[oil pan 4]

The individual front 09-13 carbon ceramic composite brake rotor weighs 13.5 pounds each.
A standard cast iron front rotor depending on the manufacturer will weigh between 30 and 40 pounds.
So it more than cuts the weight in half.
Mmmmmmm.

[Stubby79]

you could "downgrade" to the original C4 11" brakes...IRRC, they're about 14 lbs each.

Yup. http://www.rockauto.com/info/142/CE_12162020_Dra.jpg

[oil pan 4]

I like the C5 brakes. The C5 brakes on the firebird don't even care when I tow an 800lb trailer on the interstate and have to stop. My wife's car, a hyundai on the other hand gets pushed around a little more than I would like.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Even though the overall weight savings may seem negligible at a first glance since it's going to be fitted into a street-legal vehicle instead of a race car, the presumably longer lasting and the enhancement to the safety seem to justify.

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

The newest generation ZR1 brake rotors use a reinforced carbon ceramic silicon carbide composite.
That just sounds expensive.
These are not the first generation carbon/carbon rotors that wore out quickly and only worked properly when very hot.
Supposedly the old carbon/carbon were better at very high temperature and the newer generation may not be as good at the top of the temperature limit but they are far superior when cold or street driven.

I'm not so sure about any decrease in the high-temperature performance of the newer generation of carbon/ceramic compound brakes.

[oil pan 4]

If you keep it under 140mph the carbon ceramic rotors pretty much don't ever wear out according to the corvette track racing forums.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

If you keep it under 140mph the carbon ceramic rotors pretty much don't ever wear out according to the corvette track racing forums.

Some wear might happen, though to a much lower extent. But anyway, keeping it under 140mph is not likely to be a hassle for the average Joe

[oil pan 4]

This is bugging me. Now I want to do it.
But I can't spend retail price on this stuff.

[freebeard]

Pfffft!

Get the iron rotors and send them out to for https://www.google.com/webhp?q=cryogenic+tempering+brakes.

I don't hope to re-find the article, but the TLDR was 'four times the service life, equally popular with police car maintenance departments and racers.' Here're mine (it doubled the part cost):