Cryogenically Treated Brake Rotors

[S2k Dude]

I've been doing some research on the topic. Anyone used them or know more about them?

Here are some websites that I've been to:
http://www.frozenrotors.com/frozenrotors.shtml
http://www.roadfly.org/magazine/7/frozen_rotors.2.html
http://www.300below.com/site/motor_testimonials.html
http://www.metal-wear.com/Brakes.htm
http://www.praisedynobrake.com/cryogenic.htm

From what I've read there are very real advantages to treating the brake rotors. At a minimum you double the life of the rotor since the freezing process increases the abrassion resistance and reduces microfractures in the material. Plus your brake pads are supposed to last longer due to the reduction of warpage in the rotors. Pad wear is more even and braking performance is improved.

I'm considering replacing my OEM rotors with some that are treated, slotted, and plated. There is one guy in Florida that offers OEM replacement rotors that are slotted, cryo-treated, and either cadmium plated or anodized black. Here's a link to the thread on S2ki.com:

http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=203755

http://gallery.s2ki.com/imagecatalog/imageview/141180/6/

Anyone else interested in getting some of these replacment rotors? They're available in either silver CAD plated or black as shown in the above picture.

[mistervlus]

Oooooo, those look nice.

Dave - Why are you thinking of replacing your OEM rotors? How many miles do you have them?

I've read a lot of forums/white papers on cryo treating rotors and am still none the wiser on making a determination if it's "better", in other words I've not seen a true controlled test (one that I trust), just a bunch of opinions and assumptions. For street and light track use I would say that the stock rotors are just fine.

What do they mean when they say that it reduces warpage? What is/causes warpage? I'm interested to hear peoples ideas on warped rotors before I throw my 2 pennies in.

Also, what are people expectations on the life span of rotors under normal street conditions.

[S2KOOL]

Talk to the guys at Brake Zone. The Willwood Big Brake Kit I bought has cryo treated rotors. They explained that the cryo process relieves stresses in the rotor that, as a result of heat, causes the rotor to warp. Reduced warping will increase brake pad life.

Another area to research is motorcycle brakes. They have been cryo treating motorcycle rotors for a while now. Warped rotors on a bike can cause handling problems. The last thing you need are pulsing front brakes on a bike.

[s2 kwkslvr]

What do they mean when they say that it reduces warpage? What is/causes warpage?

When metal is manufactured certian internal stresses are built into the material , just from the forming or shaping of the material.There are ways to greatly reduce that stresses,such as heating and cooling at specific rates,but it is impossible,or nearly impossible to remove all of those stresses.So, you heat the metal up it relieves those internal stresses by changing shape.The same process is done to make the steel harder,dead soft material would be worthless as the substrate for break rotors.

[kodos]

I'm interested. I'm tired of the rust so all I really care about is the plating. I was going to order the ones from Spugen but if these are better and the price is reasonable I'm in.

[S2k Dude]

mistervlus, so far everything I've read says that the cryo process works. Most race teams are using treated rotors for the simple reason that they get increased life out of the rotors. jcarlton, who is selling the rotors, says they do this for the local police department and they have seen a significant improvement in rotor and pad life. Many companies with fleet vehicles are also using treated rotors. It appears to be a proven process. If you read the article on Frozenrotors.com, here's the link http://www.frozenrotors.com/racetrack.shtml, you'll see why the process works.

In short, the cryo process changes the latice structure of the molecules. This creates a harder surface that is more abrasion resistant. The process also makes the material more uniform which reduces the distortion of the rotor. When they say it relieves stresses, I'm guessing that's also a byproduct of the more uniform molecular structure.

http://www.frozenrotors.com/images/compare2.jpg

When I was getting my degree we discussed much about heat treating processes and how you can make metals harder just by putting them through specific heating and cooling cycles. This is just an extention of those metalurlogical properties. The cryo process cools the material down to -300°F and holds it there for up to 60 hours, I'd say that should be cold enough to do something!

Like S2kool says, even well known brake manufacturer's are doing this process. It's not an expensive process either, most companies only charge about $50 to process a part (or parts).

My OEM rotors are not in that bad of shape, but I've already turned them once and I'm seeing a lot of scoring on them. They have about 25,000 miles on them. Plus, like Kodos says, I also hate the rusty look of the OEM's, these have been plated to prevent a lot of the rust you typically see on the rotor. Besides, they don't really cost much more than a set of OEM's and if they look and perform better I think it's a solid upgrade in my book.

I've sent jcarlton a PM and he's out of town at the moment but will return soon, he said that he's getting a couple sets in stock and will send me an email when he has them.

[S2k Dude]

Anyone else have any interest in these aftermarket rotors?

[tmelch]

Very cooool looking! The black ones would look great with black calipers on my black S! :D Definately WILL be my next set of rotors!

[S2k Dude]

I've not heard from Jcarlton this week but as soon as he gets some in he said he'd contact me.

[tamara16]

Dewain got his from Tim.....

[S2k Dude]

Dewain got his from Tim.....
What's that got to do with anything?

[OyATL]

Dave, i'm interested in getting a set. Its about that time for me to replace my rotors.

[S2k Dude]

Okay Mike, maybe we can work a deal on the shipping or something.

[S2k Dude]

Just got an email from Jeff, he has my rotors and is waiting to ship them to my. Anyone else still interested? Kodos? OyATL? After asking him a few more questions about the work he does I thought I'd post is reply:

jcarlton wrote on 06-18-04 07:17AM:
Dave, I will send you a picture when I get the rotors. It should be by tuesday.

Yes, if you track the car you really need to cryo them. We do about 30 sets of brakes before Sebring. We have the contract to do all the Vette Brakes and Products, a local Vette products company. We do about 70 rotors a month for them. Most of the people that buy them race. No one has warped a rotor in three years.

All the data I have seen says that drilled rotors dissapate heat 40% better than stock. Dimpeled will only give you gas relief which the slots already do. By cryo treating them we eliminate the cracking that can occur between holes. Helps eliminate warping, gives better heat dissipation, and gives 200-300% better wear resistance.

I will send pictures as soon as I get home. I am in Reno, then Grand Rapids, and Detroit for two days after that.

Thanks, Jeff

I think the new rotors will look great on my car, can't wait to get them.

[S2k Dude]

For anyone that's interested, Jcarlton has one more set of black zinc plated rotors (he says they are actually PowerSlots that are cryo treated) and a set of OEM honda rotors in silver zinc with slots only. He's now saying they will sell for $300 + shipping.

[OyATL]

That is an awesome price. Too bad that I already placed an order for a set of powerslots. They should be here tomorrow.

[S2k Dude]

Actually, the $300 + shipping is for the set of OEM Honda rotors, cad plated, cryo treated, slotted. It's $395 (including shipping) for the ones that are black zinc washed, cryo treated, drilled & slotted. Contact jcarlton on S2ki.com if your interested in getting either of these.

[Grainger49]

NO this has nothing to do with a :sperm: Bank!

I was just at Auto Color in Roswell. I saw an ad for a cryo service in Cumming.

The number is (770) 888-8818

I don't know what they are up to but I may get some tubes and interconnects treated.

:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

[S2k Dude]

I installed the rotors, they look great and are not supposed to warp. Overall I'm pretty happy with them. Will post pics soon.