Rotora Big Brake kit review~~

[jdmrice]

It's been about two months since I had the Rotora brake kit installed..all I can say is..oh man..these brake rocks..

For the longest time, I tried to find a better braking system for my car..I've done everything I could from stock rotor upgrades to 300zx front brakes..tried different pads (Metal Master,KVR,EBC..), different rotors (cross drilled,slotted,...), replaced/upgraded master cylinders,(300z NA 1 and 1/16th) upgraded stainless lines (takamotorsports.com), used better brake fluid etc etc.. nothing worked..I mean..they just don't give me enough power to stop..I don't know why..I couldn't find the problem. the pedal was just way too soft and the car just won't stop..(btw it's an 91 Fastback with ABS)..it seems like my roommate Ny_Jee's stock 96 240sx had better braking distance then my car. I also had several friends drove the car and they told me..Man, your car is FAST..but it won't stop!!!

I met the guys from Rotora at one of the car show last year and they told me they want to develop a big brake kit for the 240s.... I figure..why not..I've tried everything I could why not do another upgrade..maybe this time it will work.. so several month later ..they called me up and told me the kit has arrived.

First impression (before install): wow this kit is NICE..I mean..they look expensive lol, I've seen many other expensive kits like Brembo, Endless, Project Mu etc (I've "seen" them only but never had the money to back me up :p )
I did a quick compare of the rotora kit vs. my old 300z brake kits

1. the mounting brackets are "thick and beefy" and I do mean thick..I've seen someone on the TT.net try to fabricate brackets for the 300z calipers to fit bigger rotors, and those bracket quality are NO where near the rotora ones.
2. The rotors are a LOT bigger of course (duh~~ or else they won't call it a big brake lol )..it's 328mm (13in) compare to 3z's 280mm (11in) and the disc are two piece floating disc design (skyline brembo brakes has one piece rotors ..Apexi does offer floating disc upgrade for it though..$$$) and..here is the weird part...the big discs are lighter then my worn 300z Stillen cross drilled rotors...that was very cool
3. while the piston remained at 4, the calipers has two bleeder point on top of each side of the calipers..(most big brake upgrade has those to free more trapped air in the calipers)
4. ever had trouble finding the correct offset wheel to clear your 3z calipers?..I know a lot of you do..I always see people posting.."what offset I need to clear my calipers etc etc" guess what..the calipers have lower profile compare to the 300zx calipers... well..you need bigger wheels though..(17s or larger)...
5. did I mention the rotors are 4 lug or 5 lug compatible?
6. the kit WILL work with stock master cylinders and you don't have to upgrade..(I already had bigger master cylinders on already so I have super stiff pedal feelings now..I LOVE it ..lol )

Fist impression (after installed and test drove: man..I am sold 100%...even with ABS..(I know I know..stock ABS are POS..they are ONLY 3 channel) However, I can "lock" my brakes up now..I can feel the ABS system kicks in but each time when the system tell the brakes to bite...they actually bite the sh!t out of my brain...OMG..

Even till now..after three drift events..they brake system still provide strong stopping force, brake did not fade at all and the pedal feeling still there.
Both Alex P (Mr. Battle Version) and Benson S (Mr. SilEightyMania) drove my car and told me the braking system is very nice...I had a little accident during Club4AG DD5 practice event, my car only had minor damage thanks to the brake.. (still can't avoid the pole tho cause my steering link broke and also the car was sliding side ways :p)

I know most of you never heard of Rotora, that's why I am doing this review... I want most of you know that there IS an affordable big brake kit available out there for the 240 community, and they WILL get bigger and bigger. They are the official sponsor for D1GP now, so when Koguchi san coming for the D1 event...why don't you ask him what he thinks of the rotora big brake kit on his kick *** 180sx.

Some photos for you people too lazy to read ...:p

http://www.jdmrice.com/images/rotora/rotora1.JPG http://www.jdmrice.com/images/rotora/rotora2.JPG http://www.jdmrice.com/images/rotora/rotora3.JPG

installed on my car.

http://www.jdmrice.com/images/rotora/rotora01.JPG
http://www.jdmrice.com/images/rotora/rotora03.JPG

some photos at IAS
http://www.jdmrice.com/events/IAS03/IAS61.JPG

even Koguchi likes it
http://www.jdmrice.com/events/IAS03/IAS86.JPG

http://www.jdmrice.com/events/clearcorners/featcarA08.jpg

for more pic please go to my website :p www.jdmrice.com (http://www.jdmrice.com)
for more info about the brake kit please visit www.rotora.com (http://www.rotora.com)

thanks guys..
have fun Drifitng

[kandyflip445]

I saw this on FA a little bit ago. Do you know what the price is on that kit. I looked on the site but I didn't find it. Also, you should do a review in the reviews section!:D

[AKADriver]

Nice! It looks to be a beautifully-made kit.

I assume you're matching it up with the Z32 2-piston 11.75" rear brakes?

What type of brake pad does it use?

[mrmephistopheles]

Richard.. You never fail to make me jealous! :D :D :D :D :eek:

[jdmrice]

Kandyflip: i thought we are not suppose to talk about pricing on the forums..since i don't work for the company..pricing info should be out soon on their website..

akadriver, nope..i haven't done it yet..i need to do the z rear tho..been lazy..it will be my next upgrade..

Kevin..it's cool..cause you know i will give you free rides..lol

[mrmephistopheles]

Richard: w00t!! free rides!!

Oh, btw.. listing MSRP is okay.. it's just that vendors are forbidden to do so (unless they pay for the privilege)

[jdmrice]

oh..ok..don't mind me then...I am what you guys call NOOBS
lol

anyways..MSRP is 2195 for this kit..which i think it's a very good price..

just FYI, Brembo 4 piston big brake kit 2995 , Endless around 2600 plus 1000 for the rotors... so, i think the price for Rotora is very good..conside it's MSRP..:p

OH..btw..they will have a 6 piston application MSRP around 2800..that's even a better deal!!

[silvia240]

My friend has these on his wrx, and man do these suckers make the car come to a stop. Well worth the money if u have saftey in mind.

[aeontony]

I just want to find out more information about this..what is the correct installation direction for slotted rotors? On the front right side of the car it seems as if the top beginning of the slot goes straight into the calipers. Is it supposed to point the other way so that it goes in from the side, as opposed to the top? Does it even matter?

[pruto]

hehe, i've seen it both ways, i don't think the dirrection of the slot matters a lot.

richard: was that the IAS? damn, i shoulda gone to tat =/

[sykikchimp]

I guess you have to buy thier rotors to use with them?

I didn't see any info on thier site.

[mrmephistopheles]

i think the rotors come w/ the kit

[sykikchimp]

I know they come with the kit, but if you need brakes like this, then those rotors are completely consumable items. As well as the Brake pads.

I'm wondering if you have to buy the rotors through them once you've finished off the set that comes with them. Also what brake pads? Is there a specific car model you can ask for?

One drawback to me would be if I would have to get custom brake pads made.

[Dousan_PG]

hey richard, is koguchi going to start using Rotora on his red missle or the D1 car?