Best Brakes for Buck
I'm really tired of hearing the "if I can skid the wheels" braking argument.
There is SO much more to it than that. Just because a single rapid impulse can lock up your brakes doesn't mean that you have the best braking possible. Otherwise we could all run 9" drums. The more important braking comes when you DON'T lock up the brakes with a single rapid impulse. And don't think for a second that the force needed to lock up your brakes with a single rapid impulse is the most force you can apply. You can apply MORE braking force if you add it progressively rather than in a short impulse, and still stop faster.
The 10.98 (they're not 10.87") rotors are plenty sufficient for most drivers, I totally agree there. But don't kid yourself, the 11.75" rotors are better, even in every day driving. I immediately noticed the difference when I upgraded from 10.98's to 11.75's, and that was driving on the street. Hell, that was driving down the block. It really is a noticeable difference, especially if you're running larger, wider tires with a modern compound.
If you can get the 10.98" rotors out of the local yard, by all means, do it. Absolutely all day long and twice on Sunday. But if you have the opportunity to run 11.75's you'll immediately notice the difference, even on a daily driver. If you already run 15" rims, and need a set of rotors anyway, upgrading to the 11.75" rotors is $100 for the caliper brakets. And you don't even have to bleed the brakes again.
I'm really tired of hearing the "if I can skid the wheels" braking argument.
There is SO much more to it than that. Just because a single rapid impulse can lock up your brakes doesn't mean that you have the best braking possible. Otherwise we could all run 9" drums. The more important braking comes when you DON'T lock up the brakes with a single rapid impulse. And don't think for a second that the force needed to lock up your brakes with a single rapid impulse is the most force you can apply. You can apply MORE braking force if you add it progressively rather than in a short impulse, and still stop faster.
The 10.98 (they're not 10.87") rotors are plenty sufficient for most drivers, I totally agree there. But don't kid yourself, the 11.75" rotors are better, even in every day driving. I immediately noticed the difference when I upgraded from 10.98's to 11.75's, and that was driving on the street. Hell, that was driving down the block. It really is a noticeable difference, especially if you're running larger, wider tires with a modern compound.
If you can get the 10.98" rotors out of the local yard, by all means, do it. Absolutely all day long and twice on Sunday. But if you have the opportunity to run 11.75's you'll immediately notice the difference, even on a daily driver. If you already run 15" rims, and need a set of rotors anyway, upgrading to the 11.75" rotors is $100 for the caliper brakets. And you don't even have to bleed the brakes again.
