Choosing the proper brake rotor is determined by the vehicle you drive and how you drive it. The majority of vehicles produced will have solid vented rotors. However, some high-performance vehicles like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi are built with slotted or cross-drilled rotors, which are also vented.
If you were happy with your stock rotor's performance and stopping power, then direct O.E. replacements such as Centric Plain 120 Series Rotors , Centric High Carbon Plain 125 Series Rotors or Brembo Replacement Rotors would be a good choice.
Vehicles built from the factory with solid vented rotors may cause you to be unhappy with the stopping power, in that case, you may benefit from an upgraded rotor. Additionally, if you would classify yourself as a more spirited or aggressive driver I would recommend upgrading your rotors. The most common upgrade is replacing your solid rotors with either slotted or drilled rotors.
Under high heat and heavy stopping conditions, the rotor actually gets so hot that when the brake pads and rotors make initial contact, the pads release exhaust gases from road grime, water and overheating. The small air bubbles that form between the pad and rotor contribute to a spongy pedal feel. The slotting or drilling of brake rotors gives those gases a quiet way to escape; thus allowing the pad to make quicker contact with the rotor and provide you a stiffer and more precise pedal feel. Upgrades would include Brembo rotors such as the Sport Drilled and Sport Slotted, StopTech's SportStop Drilled Rotor, DBA's 4000 Series T3 Rotor and 5000 Series T3 2-Piece Rotor and Power Slot's Power Slot Rotor.
Whether you're looking for Brembo brake rotors or another brand, you can shop by vehicle to find the replacement option that's right for your application.
Brembo Big Brake Kits upgrade the look and performance of your vehicle's braking system. The brake systems combine fixed 4-piston aluminum calipers and high performance brake pads, with 1- and 2- piece vented discs and Goodridge® steel braided brake lines. These race inspired Brembo Big Brake kits are designed to offer superior stopping power for drivers that are serious about getting their sports cars, sedans, sporty coupes, light trucks and SUVs to slow down in a hurry.
In most cases,the Brembo Big Brake Kit's massive aluminum calipers and large diameter brake discs require an aftermarket wheel with the necessary brake clearance. Take a look at the chart below to see the full line of Brembo Grand Turismo Big Brake kits.
Contact one of our
sales specialists to ensure product compatibility as they have developed a list of appropriate wheel options per vehicle based on exact brake kit options.
| Brembo Gran Turismo Brake Systems |
Caliper
Styles | Style 1 | Style 2 | Style 3 | Style 4 |
4-Piston
Black | 4-Piston
Black | 4-Piston
Red | 4-Piston
Red |
|
Rotor
Styles | Style A | Style B | Style C | Style D |
1-Piece
Drilled
Vented | 2-Piece
Drilled
Vented | 2-Piece
Drilled
Vented | 2-Piece
Slotted
Vented |
|
Style 1A | 
Style 2B | 
Style 3C | 
Style 4D |
Shop by vehicle to see which braking options work best for your vehicle.
Additional Information:
Many Porsche owners are looking for better lap times at the track and more aggressive brake performance on the street from their 911.
If you have already tried changing your brake pads and still lack the performance you are looking for, it may be time to upgrade to a
larger caliper and rotor.
Brembo has built a reputation of producing quality products for drivers looking for the ultimate in braking performance. The
Brembo Gran Turismo Systems provide excellent stopping power in everyday traffic, as well as high performance during street and track driving.
For more information, contact one of Tire Rack's
sales specialists.
All aftermarket brake products are not suitable for the high speeds associated with track use. For example, stay clear of drilled or dimpled rotors. They may look high-performance and they can resist some of the gasses that tend to build up between the brake pad and the rotor, but they can't handle the temperatures that result from track speeds and repetitive stops. If you do choose to use these types of rotors on your race vehicle, which
we do not recommend, we suggest you carefully inspect your brake components before each and every use—and definitely stop driving on them if you see any sign of deterioration.
It is probably best to just stay away from racing with drilled and dimpled brake rotors since improper use will negate their warranty. And you never know if or when you'll need to call upon that warranty for help. Instead, consider the following:
Centric Premium Rotors
Brembo Sport Slotted Rotors
DBA 4000 Series Rotors
DBA 5000 Series RotorsThis, of course, is not the complete list of race capable rotors.
Click here for a complete list of rotors and then filter your search to view track-appropriate options.
Are you having issues with your brakes squeaking? Is it time for a replacement or are they fairly new?
Let's start with the possibility that they need to be replaced. Often the manufacturer of your brake pad will add metal clips that cause squealing or squeaking to occur when the pads are worn. If this seems to be the case, time for new brakes. Here is a quick part list of what you will need:
PADS. You need to select a pad that works well for how you drive.
Semi Metallic: more aggressive and more stopping power, but more noise and dust.
Examples:
Hawk HPS Street Sport,
ATE Original Premium One,
Satisfied GranSport GS6Ceramic: less dust and noise, but not as aggressive bite and stopping power.
Examples:
Akebono Pro ACT,
ATE Premium One,
Hawk Performance CeramicROTORS. More than likely you will need rotors. It is recommended that you do not turn your rotors, but replace with new ones. A rotor's effectiveness is based on dispersing heat, and taking any metal away will diminish its ability to do such.
Solid: Normal driving to autocross racing (parking lot with cones/markers)
Centric,
Cryo-Stop,
BremboSlotted: Extremely aggressive driving to road racing. (large, repeated speed changes)
ATE,
Power Slot,
Power Slot Cryo,
Brembo,
DBA
FLUID. If it has been 50+ thousand miles or you drive your vehicle hard, you may consider flushing your fluid. If you fluid looks like coffee or tea at the caliper end, time to flush.
So if you are the type of person that decides to change the brakes on your BMW 335i and are looking for an added edge, this is a project you can do! Remember when you upgraded to the
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tire? Choosing the right brakes will make the same difference for stopping as the difference the right tire makes for cornering!
I don't know about everyone else, but in my opinion there is nothing worse than not being able to stop. So let's take a minute to talk about brakes. Stopping power is derived from the friction material. Friction material is more commonly known as a brake pad. Pads create friction against the rotor which allows the vehicle to stop. This whole process creates a lot of heat and the heat can be the problem.
Rotors are available from a lot of different sources and and from multiple manufacturers. Some are a basic metallurgy and normally are not very resistant to the effects of heat. Products sold at Tire Rack manufactured by
DBA,
Centric,
Power Slot,
Brembo, and
ATE are premium products with metal alloys which have less impurities and will be less likely to have failure due to over heating.
Cryogenic treating is a process that hardens the steel of a rotor and results in a molecular restructuring that makes the surface harder and more durable. Power Slot offers a cryo rotor, and these are strongly recommended for those who spend time on the track or put their vehicle through some extreme conditions.
When it comes to pads, I recommend the
Hawk Performance products. Hawk has some of the most consistent products on the market, and offer a wide range of pads starting with a quiet and comfortable ceramic pad, up through pads that are designed to be used on the race track only. The best part of the HAWK line...they have everything in between too!
When it comes to replacing the wheels and tires on an SUV and plus sizing is the direction that you have chosen to go, remember that with bigger wheels comes higher weights. The rotational mass that comes along with the larger wheels will put more stress on the braking system and this should be considered. The last thing that you want to do is park your newly upgraded truck in the trunk of someone's civic.
When selecting brake pads and rotors, it is important to remember that you need to consider your driving style, your expectations, and the vehicle's dynamics.
There is something out there for everyone....so stop...and smell the brake dust!
Brembo is one of the most well-respected names in the aftermarket brake industry. An Italian company, Brembo takes every measure possible to help drivers rest assured that they've upgraded their braking power and level of performance.
From Brembo brake pads to high performance rotors, no product slips through the strictest of quality standards. And lucky for you,
Tire Rack has those same standards—and we feature a number of Brembo brake components, including:
•
Gran Turismo Brake Systems•
Replacement RotorsSearch all of our brake components to find these Brembo products and more for your vehicle.
As we all know, brake pads are a crucial element of your vehicle. Buy the wrong ones, or install them incorrectly, and a whole heck of a lot can go wrong—that's why we do our best to help you out when you need to buy brake pads. Starting with
performance categories. Find out where your vehicle resides, and we can narrow down a selection of brake pads that make sense. Take a look:
PREMIUM:Minimal brake dust, moderate stopping power.
•
Akebono Euro Ultra-Premium Ceramic•
ATE Original•
Hawk Performance CeramicPERFORMANCE STREET: Noticeable increase in performance for the spirited driver.
•
Akebono Street Performance•
Hawk HPS•
Brembo SportAUTOCROSS/TRACK: Aggressive brakes for high-speed competitors.
•
Hawk Black•
Hawk DTC-60•
Hawk HP PlusTRUCK/SUV: For large diameter Tire & Wheel Packages that tow or carry heavy loads.
•
Hawk HP SuperDuty•
Hawk LTSThese, of course, are just a few of the brake pad products we offer.
Search our entire inventory for a more detailed list of products well-suited to your vehicle.
Brakes can only withstand so much slamming. As with all good things, they must come to an end. But what many drivers don't realize: As brake pads wear out, the brake rotors do, too.
Brembo is known throughout the industry for their racing and race-inspired high performance braking systems. Over 26 million Brembo brake rotors are manufactured every year. While some of those brake rotors become Original Equipment, many of them are purchased as replacement options on vehicles just like yours.
Brembo OE Replacement Brake Rotors are designed to meet or exceed any standards previously set by your vehicle's O.E. rotors.
In addition, Brembo features a number of brake rotors that upgrade performance levels, too. Choose from one- or two-piece cast rotors that are machined to exact tolerances, electronically balanced, and highly inspected to meet strict Brembo (and industry) standards.
A simple search produces a compatible list.
In 1961, Brembo took the brake market with their knack for design, development and production. To this day, they lead the industry with racing and aftermarket brake components and systems—which is why Brembo brakes appear as Original Equipment components on some of the world's finest passenger cars from the likes of BMW, Porsche, Ferrari and more.
In addition, Brembo brake pads have helped a variety of racing teams (from Formula 1 to CART, NASCAR, FIA World Rally and Superbike organizations) take home the coveted checkered flag.
This level of performance satisfaction is available to you as well. Whether you want to improve your current braking system, or possibly upgrade to an enhanced aftermarket package, Brembo can help. Just search Tire Rack's inventory of brake components by vehicle to see which Brembo products are right for you.
Shopping for car parts can be tricky—how do you know if it's a perfect fit? This can be especially nerve wracking when it comes to brake components. They're pretty much the most integral part of your entire vehicle, as stopping power is crucial. So if you're shopping for Corvette brakes (or any brakes, for that matter), you can breathe a sigh of relief: Give us the specifications of your 'Vette, and we'll do the rest.
Take the Corvette above, for example. It's a 2009 Z06. With a quick search by vehicle, we were able to view an entire list of suitable brake products from reputable brands like Brembo and Hawk. And every list we generate for you includes detailed product information, even Tire Rack consumer reviews when available.
If you drive an SUV, odds are you have bigger than average wheels and tires. But, have you considered that a bigger vehicle with bigger wheels needs enhanced braking power to bring it to a complete stop? SUV brakes and rotors designed for durability are the answer. Increase overall braking performance with larger rotors and SUV or truck brake pads.
Sound complicated? It's really not. Start your upgrade by selecting a pad that was designed for a truck or SUV, like
Hawk LTS brake pads. Then, you'll want to take a look at
PowerSlot's Cryo rotors or
Brembo's Turismo brake kit which take durability to an entirely different level and contribute to a more aggressive appearance.
Brembo Turismo Kit
We hear you. And if we were driving next to you—we could probably say that literally. Stop the squeal and get new brake pads. With a quick
search by vehicle,
Tire Rack will guide you to new brake pads. We do, after all, have quite the collection.
Check out what some consumers are saying about their new brake pads:
"The pads are very responsive, they have terrific stopping power, and they have better fade resistance than even the ceramic pads I have tried. I am very satisfied with these pads and would definitely buy them again." Brembo Sport Brake Pads 
"After 600 miles of city/highway and a drive through the mountains, I must say that I am very impressed! The bite on them is absolutely phenomenal with very little if any brake fade under hard braking conditions." Hawk HP Plus Race Brake Pads
"They stop every bit as well as a factory pad, they are very easy on the rotors and wear even. The best part is, zero brake dust." Satisfied Pro Ceramic VS Pads
Many BMW owners find their wheels covered in brake dust after only a couple hundred miles of driving. Waxing your wheels can help, but a better solution to consider is installing a set of
replacement ceramic brake pads, like the
Hawk Performance Ceramic pads.
While they do not have quite the level of initial 'bite' as the OE pads, they produce noticeably less dust and a lighter colored dust. I use these pads on my 1995 BMW M3 along with Brembo rotors and I love them.
Key Features & Benefits of Hawk Performance Ceramic Brake Pads
- Ultra-low dust
- Improved braking over O.E.
- Stable friction output
- Extremely quiet
- Extended pad life
- Increased rotor life
2013 Ford Mustang GT Coupe
