Wet Braking Performance / Slotted Rotors

[snowfiend131]

I've got a 1998 GT, with the 5 spoke wheel design, and have braking performance issues in really wet weather. In a real down pour (where there is nearly standing water on the highway), when I apply my cold, wet brakes, I have awful braking performance. I have maybe 20% of normal breaking power for a few seconds, until the rotors dry off from friction/heat. This is kinda scary when you need to stop from 70 mph on the highway. Note that I have no braking problems in dry weather or light rain.

Does anyone else have this issue? Have you found a fix for it?

I was thinking slotted rotors might help shed the water faster, so the rotors would dry faster and my breaking would be available sooner. I have been looking at Powerslot rotors on tirerack. Does anyone have any experience with slotted rotors and/or have any suggestions? I don't really care about any other performance gains I might get with slotted rotors, I just want better braking in wet weather.

Thanks for your help.

[richtazz]

slotted rotors will make it worse, as water accumulates in the slots and drilled holes.

[snowfiend131]

Bump. Anyone agree or disagree? Does everyone else's car brake fine in wet weather and I just have bad luck?

Thanks.

[Curtis0228]

I disagee, I have slotted rotors and my braking has improved with them, I do also have semi metalic pads, not ceramic.

[bricker82]

I believe ceramic pads heat up more which would cause faster reaction time in your case. I still have stock rotors, so I can't help there.

[richtazz]

Slotted/cross drilled rotors look good, but except under extreme braking, do nothing to help brake performance in normal driving. Their only other advantage is they reduce unsprung weight slightly, but not enough to make any real difference by themselves. Since there is less overall braking surface, they may actually reduce cold/wet stops when the rotors and pads are cold.

[theblurr87]

Originally Posted by snowfiend131

I've got a 1998 GT, with the 5 spoke wheel design, and have braking performance issues in really wet weather. In a real down pour (where there is nearly standing water on the highway), when I apply my cold, wet brakes, I have awful braking performance. I have maybe 20% of normal breaking power for a few seconds, until the rotors dry off from friction/heat. This is kinda scary when you need to stop from 70 mph on the highway. Note that I have no braking problems in dry weather or light rain.

Does anyone else have this issue? Have you found a fix for it?

I was thinking slotted rotors might help shed the water faster, so the rotors would dry faster and my breaking would be available sooner. I have been looking at Powerslot rotors on tirerack. Does anyone have any experience with slotted rotors and/or have any suggestions? I don't really care about any other performance gains I might get with slotted rotors, I just want better braking in wet weather.

Thanks for your help.

I have similar results in rainy conditions. I think it's just some good ol' coefficient of friction droppage. There are brake upgrades available from ZZP and WBS, which may help with overall braking and therefore with wet conditions as well. GL