RacingBrake MKV R32 2 Piece Front Rotor Review

[Ryan E.]

When I started modifying my car, I told myself I wouldn’t add any parts that don’t exceed OEM quality. Weight reduction can do wonders for performance. Since I have my suspension and tires in a decent place I figured the next best mod would be to reduce the weight of our heavy R32’s. I’d previously removed my back seats, so I quickly revisited that option. Next in line are some lighter wheels, brakes, and most likely pullies, but those are a different story. I quickly learned that most of the drilled/slotted rotors out there are weaker due to their drilling/slotting. So I decided to stay away from those and stay with the durable OEM rotors.

I recently stumbled upon a thread regarding potential development of lighter front rotors by a company in Fullerton, California named RacingBrake. I’ve really wanted to get set of 2 piece rotors, but no one makes them. I feel the R32 brakes are more than adequate through track testing, the only downfall are the heavy rotors. We all know how much light weight wheels can do; lighter rotors/hats are the same concept and help just as much. I reviewed the RacingBrake site for technical info and read through testing a BMW owner had done. He seemed to cover all the typical aspects with his testing which gave me a good feeling about RacingBrake products. You can read more here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=474395

I posted if they need any testers and sure enough their first lead was back east, so the opportunity came up for me! Here’s info from my test fitment.

RacingBrake QA Fitment Test:
I headed down to Racing Brake for my test fitment on Tuesday for the MKV R32 2 Piece Front Rotor replacements. RacingBrake walked me though some of their development process. I was very impressed with their knowledge, material use, attention to QA, and overall design. RacingBrake expressed that they’re a brake company that’s here to provide solutions that other brake companies refuse too, which is great for our small VW community.

The fitment was a success and they should be available within 2-4 weeks.

RacingBrake Rotors:
the discs are made of a very durable material with a Brinell rating of 200-220 (SAE std 187-241). They’re heat treated to relieve residual stress and further enhance the microstructure uniformity before they are machined.

The rotors feature a mounting system which isn’t mounted to left or right surfaces of the rotors, but they are mounted in the middle of the rotor. This feature draws air in from both sides of the rotor, unlike OEM and most aftermarket which can only admit air from 1 side (inboard). Mounting in the middle also helps prevent warping, balancing stress and heat load as well as heat transfer. The discs are directional but could be used on either side of the car; you would just have to flip the discs because they are uni-directional.









Rear Rotors:


The directional slots are staggered from left and right sides on the same rotor so they’re not impacted by weakness and proven more uniform temperature across the rotor surfaces. The slots also feature holes in them, which is one of RacingBrake's patents. This feature provides a way for the brake dust to not build up, clog up in the slots, and come right out through the vanes. The rotor vanes also have a special design that even out the flow from the inside all the way to the outside so the air and dust can escape and keep the rotor at consistent temperature on the inner and outer parts of the rotors. They also are reinforced for strength which is very important.

RacingBrake Proprietary Rotor Slot/Drill Benefits:

• Allows the disc to expand and contract and prevents the disc from cracking or warping
• Increasing cooling area and retains more friction surface
• Slots relieves thermal stress
• Slots are self-cleaning and the pad build up will not clog the slots and are exhausted via the rotor edge keeping the disc surface clean
• Reduces brake pad dust buildup and keeps the wheel clean through vacuum effect

The hats are machined from raw forged high quality 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, and are larger in diameter than OEM providing a more balanced hat to rotor setup than OEM, again this makes them more durable and able to deliver higher brake torque. The picture below is of the raw forged blank before machining.



Compare the R32 Replacement, OEM R32, and GTI Replacement on the right, notice how large the hats are compared to OEM. The pictures below are prototypes with uncoated hats. They also coat the hats with EDP (Electro-Deposition Paint) providing optimal result in durability withstanding over 500 hours in a salt spray test.







I’ll be receiving the rotors soon to put on the car and test on the street/track, initial thoughts are very positive. I’ll be writing a full review soon after testing.

Long Term Update:

pads that work well for me with these rotors are-

1. All Racing Brake Pad Compounds ET and XT Series
2. Carbotech 1521 for Street
3. Carbotech XP20's for Track
4. I've heard that EBC Yellows work great for street/track but haven't tried them.

Street Pads:

1. most common pads work fine on the street.
2. just tried Racing Brake ET300 and they work great on the street and aren't noisy.

Long Term Update:
after about 9 track events and more than a year of use the rotors only have .18mm of wear, amazing.

[mfbmike]

[nkgneto]

Good write up, I'm glad you made it out there. I can't wait until the MK4 R32 ones are done. I can't wait to read your street/track review.


-LUI

[rlfletch]

Thanks for the write up. Are the slots cast in or machined post-casting?

[kidplatinum]

Looks good! Will they be offering custom rotors like drilled or dimpled...combination of slotted and drilled? I believe they are doing a rear set also right?

I just got my Adams rotors but if they do a complete set of these the ARs will be for sell! I will hold off on installing them. Pads and lines on the way...cant want.

[Ryan E.]

without getting into a debate, they're machined. I have to say RacingBrake's process has been successfully proven on super muscle cars (500 HP+) like the Corvette Z06/Viper and fast motorsport cars like EVO8/9 and 10.

Thanks for the write up. Are the slots cast in or machined post-casting?

They come with their patented design which is cross drilled through the slots. Check the pic above, the cross drilled areas vary in size. These are a very unique design.

Looks good! Will they be offering custom rotors like drilled or dimpled...combination of slotted and drilled? I believe they are doing a rear set also right?

I just got my Adams rotors but if they do a complete set of these the ARs will be for sell! I will hold off on installing them. Pads and lines on the way...cant want.

[rlfletch]

Thanks for responding. Not looking for a debate, just curious because of the color finish on the inner surfaces. Looks like a high quality product and I hope to buy a set

[kidplatinum]

They come with their patented design which is cross drilled through the slots. Check the pic above, the cross drilled areas vary in size. These are a very unique design.

Cross drilled in the normal manner is what I was referring to. I know about the patented design...I had checked into RB many many moons ago for my E46.

[BetaOp9]

This is all super, excellent write up, but a price is all I am waiting for.

¤ Posted via Tapatalk on my Samsung Vibrant ¤

[ywang98]

Question:

Will we be able to buy the ring only, later to perform our own ring replacement, or will we have to send the whole thing back in for you guys to replace the ring?

I had floating disc setup from ECS before with Porsche Boxter calipers on my Passat B5. ECS would not sell me the rings only to do my own rebuild.

[nkgneto]

Question:

Will we be able to buy the ring only, later to perform our own ring replacement, or will we have to send the whole thing back in for you guys to replace the ring?

The open slot will be the only finish available. I will quote his email when I get to my computer.

I had floating disc setup from ECS before with Porsche Boxter calipers on my Passat B5. ECS would not sell me the rings only to do my own rebuild.

Yes you can buy the rings by themselves not just for RB 2 pieces but for stoptech and brembo's too.

Follow their forum for pricing, see my signature.

[Ryan E.]

I misunderstood. Not too sure about that, you'd have to contact them.

Cross drilled in the normal manner is what I was referring to. I know about the patented design...I had checked into RB many many moons ago for my E46.

Pricing should be available tomorrow!

This is all super, excellent write up, but a price is all I am waiting for.

¤ Posted via Tapatalk on my Samsung Vibrant ¤

and yes, the rings will be available separately. RacingBrake seems so far like a no gimmick company.

[.:KHR32]

love the look of them on the car. great write up as well looking forward to hearing more.

[JC@DouglasVW]

I want front and rear.

[kidplatinum]

I want front and rear.

Add me to the list of front and rear! I just want to verify quality and price...and we should be good to go!!

[AudiMark2006]

How much does the OEM rotors weigh for comparison?

[BetaOp9]

How much does the OEM rotors weigh for comparison?

Here is a weight on the stock rotor.

Fronts

Rears.

¤ Posted via Tapatalk on my Samsung Vibrant ¤

[PSU]

Thanks for the in-depth write up.

[Ikey3125]

So I know it was asked, any word on a rear 2 piece set up as well?

[Ryan E.]

I know they're on the board to be developed, just not sure when. I'll need to check with them...

So I know it was asked, any word on a rear 2 piece set up as well?

[nkgneto]

I know they're on the board to be developed, just not sure when. I'll need to check with them. If you're remotely interested please post so I can show that there's a demand...

I've sent them an email concerning the rears awaiting reply. Post interest on their thread link in my sig.

EDIT:Response received; "working on the rears"

[nkgneto]

I misunderstood. Not too sure about that, you'd have to contact them.



Pricing should be available tomorrow!




and yes, the rings will be available separately. RacingBrake seems so far like a no gimmick company.

Go to their thread for pricing.


Also this is a must read Refund within 30 days?

[xbr80bx]

yeah... GLWS

[ywang98]

I ordered mine.

Thanks.

Question: How much for the rings and hardware for rebuild?

[AudiMark2006]

Wow that is one hell of a weight reduction. Definitely worth it for the weight reduction alone, especially up front.

[Onomarn]

I was at their thread page and their price says "per a rotor"????????

[ywang98]

I was at their thread page and their price says "per a rotor"????????

Yes.

When I had the ECS and Porsche Boxter caliper setup on my B5 Passat, those rotors cost about the same or more, and they weren't as nice.

Wow, I was the first order? Cool! Nice refund policy!

[Ryan E.]

Nice!

Yes.

When I had the ECS and Porsche Boxter caliper setup on my B5 Passat, those rotors cost about the same or more, and they weren't as nice.

Wow, I was the first order? Cool! Nice refund policy!

[rlfletch]

3. Open slots is the only disc finish available, so please do not inquire about other finishes as you may not be responded to.

Not sure how to take that. Kinda bitchy way to put it as I read it. If your tired of answering the question maybe you should take another look at providing an option IMO. Hopefully(for me) they'll change their mind in the future and I will order then.

[EpicVW]

Is there a clear way to order? The link wasn't specific. Or just call?

[Ryan E.]

Here's what my contact sent me when I asked:

Over the years, we have been making plain, drills, slots (straight/curve), drills & slots etc. and some have dimples, hook slots etc. etc. and each proponent can write a long story to sown play the other finish.

RB's open slots have all the plus w/o any ill-effect. All benefits of our open slots design are explainable (in physics) and understandable by a regular consumer, and we just started consolidating our production towards this most advanced and advantageous brake technology. Once more people know about it (and use it), they will agree this open slots finish is the ultimate finish that shall end the debate on what the disc finish s/b.

If you go to Corvette and EVO forums you will find out RB's open slots are the most favorable finish both on street and track. So the answer is why we should revert our production to old technology for those traditional finishes while we know there is an optimal one that we are able to make it available.

As an evidence you can check our forums for our pre-orders for G37S, CamarroSS, CTS-V the unanimous choice is open slots, except for some CTS-V rear who prefer to match up with RB's front slot finishes that they purchased 3-4 years ago when we only made open slots available on some select models.

I must create an album to let consumers be more aware of the benefit of open slots vs. the traditional surface slotting w/o having to explain to them individually.

Luis, you have to understand that we build our brakes with decades of experience and innovations, no gimmicks or marketing stuffs so you will see our two piece rotors can be very different from others but you will soon get used to it.

Not sure how to take that. Kinda bitchy way to put it as I read it. If your tired of answering the question maybe you should take another look at providing an option IMO. Hopefully(for me) they'll change their mind in the future and I will order then.

[Ryan E.]

They're available in their site store...

Is there a clear way to order? The link wasn't specific. Or just call?

edit: removed link

[rlfletch]

Here's what my contact sent me when I asked:

Clearly they have a patented product they want to sell and that's fine. But seeing as this is a process that is added through machining I don't see why offering plain rotors would be such a big deal. It would actually cost them less to offer it that way. I don't get my "info" from internet forums. I prefer opinions of actual people I know and trust as well as my own experiences and I am not sold on slotting especially a new form of slotting/drilling. They would have my order right now if they offered a plain rotor and maybe I would try slots on my replacement rings if I liked their product. To be honest I am put off by their "Take it as is or shove off attitude." Like I said, to not even want to hear the question implies they have heard it before. Being stubborn about customer's wishes is good way to limit your business which is exactly what they did in the case of this potential customer. Too bad for me as, otherwise, it seems like a great product.

[nkgneto]

If they are not slotted they won't stay cool and may warp according to this.

Look at the side views and how meaty these rotors are the proof is in the pudding.

[rlfletch]

If they are not slotted they won't stay cool and may warp according to this.

Look at the side views and how meaty these rotors are the proof is in the pudding.

Please. Those slots are not providing even a small fraction of the cooling. The internal vanes are doing that.