We all know that ceramic brake PADS have been around for quite a while; I’m talking more about the ROTORS/DISCS.

Way back when I was at the Sebring 12 hour (this year) I got a real good look and chatted about brake discs made from primarily ceramic material with Team Joest. I just did a quick search and found a few articles:

http://www.sglcarbon.com/sgl_t/brake...ucts/auto.html
http://www.compositesworld.com/hpc/i...3/November/275
http://www.autointell-news.com/News-...e-16-04-p3.htm
http://www.europeancarweb.com/tech/0406ec_brakes/

I got a chance to handle a rotor that they use on their prototype Audi R8’s... I can tell you I was very impressed! Those huge rotors are much lighter than the 10” rotors on my Rabbit GTI, never mind the 13” rotors on the Evo. Reports are that these rotors weigh half as much as a normal metal one!

He compared the rotor’s heat resisting characteristics to those of the tiles on the space shuttle. There are more than a few articles out there that confirm this, and go further into saying that because of this the rotors have a much longer life-span… like for the entire life of the car.

Also the ceramic (composite) discs have a higher coefficient of friction meaning more stopping power.

The articles mention an $8,000-$23,000 price tag for the Porsche ones. Its mucho expensive, but more stopping power that practically never wears out I’d argue that it’s worth it!

I’d like to see you guys contribute more links related to ceramic brake rotors, how good/bad they are, and who is working to get them to the Evo aftermarket. I doubt anyone has had experiences with them but if you do please post here. Remember I’m NOT talking about ceramic brake pads; I want this to be about the rotors/discs.

 

Not good at all on a street car as the brakes need to reach a very high temperature to become effective. Check out how many times it took Porsche to get it right as the option on the 911's. Delayed intros, recalls, etc have plagued that system. The pedal is also going to be very touchy once they come up to temp, more of an all or nothing situation, similar to an unsprung clutch.

I think your money can be spent in much better places.

 

I just test drove a new 911 GT3 the other day with the Ceramic brakes on them, and I could never get them hot enough to really feel any benefit.

They would suck on a daily driver. They just completely kill your stopping distance while cold.