slotted rotors - RDA vs DBA

[DaveTE]

Originally Posted by phillyc

I just realised I need to update my info...

I had DBA slotted & crossdrilled rotors on the front with Qld Brake Co (QBC) pads too. With 15k of around town driving (wife driving) and 20k highway (mostly me) driving the discs warped fairly quickly and only lasted a total 30-35,000kms... So it was not hard driving. Good stopping power though!

I have now gone down the RDA discs up front with Precision Brakes. Got them at a good price, $175/pr and $50/set respectively.

I've noticed the immediate feel of the brakes isn't as strong, but they still have plenty of bite and pull up well.

I have been looking at DBA 5000s for a while now and I'm going to get them for the T. Now my biggest drama is slotted and cross drilled or just slotted? Had some feed back about cracking/warping more so with the cross drill and slotted. HMMMMM.

[ebayholic]

Originally Posted by JC

RDA don't have the hat part painted, so if you want to avoid the rusty look, you will need to prep and paint them. DBAs come painted, so to save the extra work, I'd go the DBAs. Performance of RDA and DBA is similar.

Do the RDA Gold discs have the hat part painted or protected???

[blownv8au]

Originally Posted by ebayholic

Do the RDA Gold discs have the hat part painted or protected???

they seem to be protected i've had mine on for nearly 6months no rust.

[ebayholic]

Originally Posted by blownv8au

they seem to be protected i've had mine on for nearly 6months no rust.

good to hear. Do you find them to have better performance than brakes you used in the past?

[burnz]

RDA/QFM great combo, can't comment on DBA never tried them.
RDA/Bendix are good but abrasive on rotor.

[blownv8au]

Originally Posted by ebayholic

good to hear. Do you find them to have better performance than brakes you used in the past?

they are great, slotted and dimpled with bendix pads. i haven't done the back yet so the front has made an awesome improvement but that is also a series 1 to 2 upgrade which would hsve made a great improvement on its own.

[Stattic]

heh, burnons is a rip off. they quoted me $135 per corner for DBA slotted rotors... this is the trade price he wanted to give us.. what a joke!

[FTE72]

Originally Posted by DaveTE

I have been looking at DBA 5000s for a while now and I'm going to get them for the T. Now my biggest drama is slotted and cross drilled or just slotted? Had some feed back about cracking/warping more so with the cross drill and slotted. HMMMMM.

I have them on the T and went slotted only for the cracking around holes reason I have heard.

[XR6_661]

RDA are a quality piece of gear.

As for the X-Drilled & Slotted debate, I've had x-drilled and slotted rotors all round on my car for the last 2000km+ No issues at all.

I have 504 Series Gold rotors...

[SVR73]

DBA are my prefernce between the two brands
Currently have DBA 4000 slotteds on my AU1 and they are a superb rotor
Best shop I know to buy DBA from is Gary Baxter (BIG BRAKES AUSTRALIA) in Adelaide

Got me the 4000's about 80 + bucks cheaper (each) than any other company out there

[illusivedreams]

Support Australian Made products

I believe the 4000 series is Australin made.

Rda are China.

Yes Dba do manufacture some staff in Asia but majority is still local.

Buying cheaper will push more companies out of Australia.

Unless RDA are 50% cheaper i think the 20% is not enough.

Further done DBA have the Kangaroo pow cooling patter inside to better distribute heat?

[SVR73]

absolutely, I delibertately went for the 4000's which are the highest grade rotor that they make for all AU 1's

[ebayholic]

Originally Posted by GK

Yep, a few light coats will do the trick. Just mask up the discs very carefully. LOL!

I have heard a few times that Bendix wear out the discs pretty quick. I wasn't happy with Bendix, and haven't used them since the first time.

I would try some QFM items.

Your choice though.

All the best with it.

GK

Would it be bad to paint the whole disc? I'm still confused as to what part of the disc can and cannot be painted? I would have thought the hat part is the inner circle part protruding out but by the looks of the picture in the following thread, that was the section left unpainted?: http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...2&postcount=68

[POELWYK]

Originally Posted by ebayholic

Would it be bad to paint the whole disc? I'm still confused as to what part of the disc can and cannot be painted? I would have thought the hat part is the inner circle part protruding out but by the looks of the picture in the following thread, that was the section left unpainted?: http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...2&postcount=68

yes thats right he only painted the hats the other part is the part that the Brake bads use to stop the car if u paint them then its a wast of time and money

[azza11]

I brought DBA 500's on Saturday, 75 bucks each for fronts from Autobahn, 15 cheaper than Super Dear. Pads were Bendix Premiums for 61 bucks, fitted yesterday and still bedding in. Mechanic reckons he's had issues with RDA's but i know plenty that have them with no issues, i had them on a XY. I just couldnt pass up 75 for DBA;s even though there not slotted just solids, i reckon they are better than stock.
AZZA

[saber]

Originally Posted by burnz

RDA/QFM great combo, can't comment on DBA never tried them.
RDA/Bendix are good but abrasive on rotor.

+100 to RDA/QFM!

Currently running RDA slotted fronts, and RDA solid rears, with QFM HPX pads all round. NO brake squeal, very low rotor wear, and pulls the car up oh so well!

[Day-mow]

you said 400 front and rear what series where you looking @? i went to supercrap today to price up some front rotors and it was 387 for slottered 4000 series fronts.

is this way to much or are you looking at the st. series

[SVR73]

387 is way too expensive. remember SC are retailers. DBA 4000 slotted are the next model up from Street slotteds and solid rotors but one down from 5000
They have the kangaroo paw, TSP and other advancements with 6x6 design

Model number I got was DBA 4500 SR (right hand front) and 4500 SL)

[Day-mow]

think im just gonna get RDA's for now. moneys tight for me.

[GK]

Originally Posted by ebayholic

Would it be bad to paint the whole disc? I'm still confused as to what part of the disc can and cannot be painted? I would have thought the hat part is the inner circle part protruding out but by the looks of the picture in the following thread, that was the section left unpainted?: http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...2&postcount=68

You can see where i took the rust off. That's the hat.

The flat part with the slots on them, that's the rotor surface, add the slots and you get slotted rotors!

GK

[Day-mow]

And any type of paint is ok? Or is it best to use an anti rust paint? I've got some heat rated paint would that do?

[mickyyyy]

DBA slotted with Bendix Ultimate pads and worked a treat with no issues but i took care of them in regards to warming up and cooling down.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by Day-mow

And any type of paint is ok?

I've used both ordinary spray can paint and heat resistant paint. Both work but the heat resistant holds it's shine for longer.

Seeing that it's not a job you do frequently I'll continue using the heat resistant paint.

[SVR73]

Originally Posted by SVR73

387 is way too expensive. remember SC are retailers. DBA 4000 slotted are the next model up from Street slotteds and solid rotors but one down from 5000
They have the kangaroo paw, TSP and other advancements with 6x6 design

Model number I got was DBA 4500 SR (right hand front) and 4500 SL)

Just rang charlie at Big Brakes Australia about rear DBA 4000 slotted
$162 inc GST. The fronts I bought last year were about the same price, fractionally less

[AU00XR8]

I went the RDA on the front. I played around with a few brands of pads and have found the EDC Green Stuff pads and will never look back. I nearly put my mate through the windscreen with them. They are a bit more pricey but worth every cent..

[mickyyyy]

I think a magazine should do some sort of testing on brake compounds and disc rotor metal and then they can compare what is actually a good combo and know what's going to wear quicker and so on.

[Day-mow]

Originally Posted by AU00XR8

I went the RDA on the front. I played around with a few brands of pads and have found the EDC Green Stuff pads and will never look back. I nearly put my mate through the windscreen with them. They are a bit more pricey but worth every cent..

i've herd bad things about green stuff. friend has them on his RX7 and doesn't really like them

i think im going to go QFM

[azza11]

They are good pads Greenstuff, but they are abrasive, i would say a club racing pad.
For street use, go the QFM's or Bendix Premiums.
AZZA

[urbancowboy]

I will be keeping an eye on this poll as im now in the market for some disks to suit the Tickford premium front calipers and that all i know! I think they are 229 or 330mm?

[FLOORED]

Originally Posted by Day-mow

you said 400 front and rear what series where you looking @? i went to supercrap today to price up some front rotors and it was 387 for slottered 4000 series fronts.

is this way to much or are you looking at the st. series

AU series 1 2 and 3 DBA 4000 series rotors everyday forum pricing IS $150 each for either front or rear to suit std brake sizes.

RDA to DBA is a personal preference as there are many pad combination's that can determine the brakes to be good or bad.