sizing rotors to rims? good rule of thumb?

Digital_Ph@ntom · 06-01-2004, 02:11 AM

I just got some 17" rims with 205/45's on my '92 SL1. I heard thru the grapevine that sizing the rotor to the size of the rim is recommended. Right now I still only have the OE rotors (that I bought from Autozone). Is there a general rule of thumb when sizing rotors to rims? And if so, what would be a recommended size?

Thanks for the help.

BTW: that is an old pic of my car...still have to get some pics updated ;p

Revolver · 06-01-2004, 02:15 AM

I think what you heard was for people popping 20's on cars. Those things way a ton, and can put undo strain one your brakes. I have never heard of anyone having braking problems going from stock to 17's or 18's.

Digital_Ph@ntom · 06-01-2004, 02:20 AM

thank goodness. I'm happy I don't have to spend more money

that helps me a lot. THANKS!

sswagonss · 06-01-2004, 02:41 AM

I am with revolver on this one...

Coldsolderjoint · 06-01-2004, 03:05 AM

bigger brakes cant really hurt..

they are really expensive tho for big brake kits.. SMS sells them and they say that u need a minimum of a 17inch wheel to run them.. i think the rotors are 12" in diamiter and then u need clearence for the caliper..

ausgeflippt13 · 06-01-2004, 07:01 PM

your stock brakes will do fine. but, if you feel the urge to spend money, you might wanna look into makin' your rear brakes rotors and get rid of the drums. But, it's something like $700 to do it.

Vendetta · 06-02-2004, 02:16 AM

if you slap on that rear drum->disc conversion can you put bigger rotors on it or are you stuck with the OEM size rotors? i would like to biggie size my rotors n increase my stoppin power. i dunno if the rest o u noticed but the saturns aint gotta whole lotta stoppin power, specially if yer haulin folx around.

SoloSaturn · 06-02-2004, 03:35 AM

Bigger rotors don't necessarily (sp- WOW!) shorten your stopping distance. You can easily lengthen your stopping distance if you do it wrong.

Check out the scR webpage and their brake system tech articles. James Walker, a GM Brake System Engineer, knows his stuff. He's regarded as one of the best in the industry. The Saturn community is luck to have had such a great mind racing our cars. Although now he is off racing his WRX.

ausgeflippt13 · 06-02-2004, 06:40 AM

personally I don't think that getting bigger rotors is worth it. How a brake works is it absorbs as much heat (energy) as possible from the spinning wheel, thus transferring the energy and causing the car to slow.

If you want better stopping power, you might wanna look into better brake pads (they actually help more than you may think) or even slotted/cross-drilled rotors that are the same size.

if you want to increase the diameter of the rotor, you're gonna have to completely redo the brake assembly in order for them to fit, which means $$$.

Vendetta · 06-02-2004, 09:34 PM

thought you'd have to redo it all. my assumption in increasing the rotor size is that you would be applying more force to stop the car on a larger diameter rotor. in my mind its simple leverage issues. am i thoroughly wrong in my thought process? i've yet to find a decent article explaining how n why brakes work.