difference in rotor thickness

[fordsbyjay]

What difference does rotor thickness have? I was looking on the Wilwood site at rotors and calipers and the two sizes seem to be 0.81 and 1.25" thickness. I would assume the thicker 1.25 would resist warping better and be able to handle more heat????

I was looking at rear brakes if it matters.



http://wilwood.com/Rotors/RotorList1.aspx

http://wilwood.com/Calipers/CaliperL...pec=&pistarea=

[Bryce]

Heat soak. It takes longer to heat up a bigger heavier piece of steel.

[Apogee]

Just like Bryce said, thicker rotors (more massive rotors in general) have a greater thermal capacity to absorb more heat. This equates to cooler operating temperatures in more demanding applications and typically results in better performance since the pads do not have to function over as broad of a temperature range.

Undersized rotors, particularly on heavier applications, tend to undergo massive, rapid temperature swings when pushed hard which can shorten the life of both the rotor and the pad as well as compromise performance. The downside to more massive rotors is the additional rotational inertia, so like everything, it's a balance. Too little brake and you'll be fading your pads and cooking your calipers. Too much and it's excess mass that you have to accelerate and deccelerate which makes you slower in both regards.

Common rotor thicknesses between .81 and 1.25 are 1.0 and 1.1 depending on the application.

Tobin
KORE3