1pc vs 2pc rotor
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 292
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Here is an excerpt from this web page:
Brake information
"I have seen a lot on 2-piece rotors. Some of the information contained in them is correct some is mythical.
Some definitions.
2-Piece rotor: A brake disc rotor that has a separate hat (cap) usually made from a lightweight metal. There are two types of common 2-piece street rotors. One uses a bolted hat and the other a pinned hat (also known as a "floating rotor" design).
The bolted type is just what it sounds like. Usually an aluminum hat bolted to a cast iron rotor. The only real benefit of this design is weight savings.
The pinned type has usually stainless steel pins that attach the aluminum hat to the rotors. This allows the rotor to "float" on the pins. The great advantage of this design is that it allows the rotor to move freely. When the rotor expands and contracts there is much less chance of binding or distortion. As you can imagine this cuts down on warping and uneven wear (DTV). The disadvantage of this design is really high costs and increased NVH.
As far as better heat conduction, not really. It does help a bit, buts it's not enough to make it worth the extra cost. The nice thing about the weight savings is you can get larger rotor with out taking a weight penalty.
- It may help keep your wheel bearings cooler."
Here is another interesting page:
Stoptech page comparing floating rotors to non-floating
I hope these help you,
Charles
P.S. Unless you are running hot laps in your car brake upgrades are mostly cosmetic. Wow, look at those huge shiny rotors!!!
Brake information
"I have seen a lot on 2-piece rotors. Some of the information contained in them is correct some is mythical.
Some definitions.
2-Piece rotor: A brake disc rotor that has a separate hat (cap) usually made from a lightweight metal. There are two types of common 2-piece street rotors. One uses a bolted hat and the other a pinned hat (also known as a "floating rotor" design).
The bolted type is just what it sounds like. Usually an aluminum hat bolted to a cast iron rotor. The only real benefit of this design is weight savings.
The pinned type has usually stainless steel pins that attach the aluminum hat to the rotors. This allows the rotor to "float" on the pins. The great advantage of this design is that it allows the rotor to move freely. When the rotor expands and contracts there is much less chance of binding or distortion. As you can imagine this cuts down on warping and uneven wear (DTV). The disadvantage of this design is really high costs and increased NVH.
As far as better heat conduction, not really. It does help a bit, buts it's not enough to make it worth the extra cost. The nice thing about the weight savings is you can get larger rotor with out taking a weight penalty.
- It may help keep your wheel bearings cooler."
Here is another interesting page:
Stoptech page comparing floating rotors to non-floating
I hope these help you,
Charles
P.S. Unless you are running hot laps in your car brake upgrades are mostly cosmetic. Wow, look at those huge shiny rotors!!!
Last edited by CRB; Jun 15, 2003 at 01:06 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,597
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From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
$ also
the 13" brembo lotus kit i have from stillen is a two piece semi-float rotor. the holes on the rotor where the bolt goes thru is not circular, the are oval, to allow a certain degree of "float" as described in the pin-type 2-piece. there is also mclaren clips on 4 of the 8 blots to keep this float from rubbing to much and wearing down the hole, making them larger than they're supposed to be....those clips do wear out also and my rotors were clanking around so much....very easy to remove and install tho..
the 13" brembo lotus kit i have from stillen is a two piece semi-float rotor. the holes on the rotor where the bolt goes thru is not circular, the are oval, to allow a certain degree of "float" as described in the pin-type 2-piece. there is also mclaren clips on 4 of the 8 blots to keep this float from rubbing to much and wearing down the hole, making them larger than they're supposed to be....those clips do wear out also and my rotors were clanking around so much....very easy to remove and install tho..
