Pros and Cons of Drilled/Slotted rotors

[$$$PIT]

In the near future I will have to put new brakes on my N/A. I have access to a set of VR-4 calipers. If I do this I am contemplating buying drilled/slotted rotors.
The question I have is about reliability and maintenance. I know the performance will be greatly enhanced. This is a DD and I don't usually drive it too hard. But, my philosophy is "I'd rather have it and not need it. Than to need it and not have it".

1. Should I stick with what I have.
2. Upgrade to the VR-4 calipers w/out the drilled/slotted
3. Do it all out.

Your opinions please.

[Austin@STM]

Upgrade to the vr4 calipers, which will be a huge upgrade in performance already, and get a set of good rotors and pads. Maybe brembo blank rotors with some nice hawk pads, with the lighter weight of the N/A it should stop really well. Most people wont really notice or need slotted rotors, its not worth the extra money for a daily driven car. It it was a track car it would be a different story.

-Austin@STM

[Polygon]

Slottled:

Pros:
1. They sweep the pad keep everything nice and clean.
2. They improve the initial bite.

Cons:
1. They are prone to cracking if the slots go all the way to the edges.
2. They will chew up pads faster.
3. As such, expect more brake dust.
4. Cost.

Cross-Drilled:

Pros:
1. Possible bragging rights?

Cons:
1. They will crack.
2. Increased braking distances.
3. Increased probability of fade.
4. Cost.
5. Possible ridicule from people that are in the know about brakes.

Slotting is pretty much a waste of money for a DD that doesn't even drive aggressively. Plus the increased cost. Cross-drilling, on the other is a complete waste of money for anyone. There's a reason that it isn't used in any form of professional racing.

[Austin@STM]

We use a form of cross drilled in drag racing, it make for a very lightweight setup, but very pricey.
The rotor/caliper/lines/hardware together weigh well under 20 pounds.

[DocWalt]

One hard stop isn't quite the same as multiple hard stops That setup is friggin nice though man, even if it's only drag racing, hehe. Gonna throw some on the Stealth, or did I not see them?

[Austin@STM]

We actually have a couple cars around here that daily drive wiith those brakes. The loss of rotating mass really helps to.

Back on topic though, if you want some pricing on a good set of rotors and pads, for whichever setup you go with N/A or TT let me know, ill set you up a nice package.

-Austin@STM

[stealthee]

Brake rotors are heat sinks. Remove material from a heat sink and you have an ineffective heat sink.

[Lithium]

Brake rotors are heat sinks. Remove material from a heat sink and you have an ineffective heat sink.

Then what would you say about increasing the surface area? because drilled rotors do increase the surface area of the disk.

[i3igpete]

Then what would you say about increasing the surface area? because drilled rotors do increase the surface area of the disk.

well... that depends on the diameter of the hole and the thickness of the disc.

[Lithium]

well... that depends on the diameter of the hole and the thickness of the disc.

I'm sure the amount of surface area you would gain would be small but just for the sake of an argument.