114 Days: Pt III (3rd time's a charm)

Anything related to the Kizashi can go here, but please look at the other headings first. Your topic may fit better under something else.
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KuroNekko
Posts: 5170
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

My current brake set-up for all four corners are with StopTech slotted rotors and the PowerStop Z23 brake pads. I've had these for years now after my OE rotors warped. My observations after years on them:

The set-up is an inexpensive yet noticeable upgrade to the OE rotor and Akebono pad set-up. You can really tell the difference in harder braking. However, an attribute I really appreciate is that these rotors and pads also work great for everyday normal driving and aren't noisy or dusty. In essence, they perform better when needed but without the compromises of excessive noise or dust that many high performance pads create. I watched the video linked above and can't relate to the guy's findings. At the time I bought my pads, the Z23's were also rather highly rated.

While I would be happy to replace my current rotors and pads with the exact same set-up once they wear out, I am now seeing they aren't as readily available on Rockauto.com like in the past when I bought them. Thus, my next set-up may be a bit different.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
BLyons
Posts: 226
Joined: Sun May 24, 2015 12:22 am

I will also vouch for the drilled/slotted set from BrakePerformance.com. I've had them on my car for 3 years, and my only complaint was that one of the rotors got a rusty look on the non contact surface sooner than I would have preferred after about 4 months. Even now it's still not totally rusty looking like you would get with stock equipment.
Black 2011 Sport SLS AWD
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Ronzuki
Posts: 2382
Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:33 pm
Location: Lancaster County, PA

KuroNekko wrote: I watched the video linked above and can't relate to the guy's findings. At the time I bought my pads, the Z23's were also rather highly rated.
That's the guy's issue...he's used PowerStop pads b4 and had no issues...in the past. So why change?. Just as you and my brother my both have. Yep, that was then and this is now. Anywho, wife's SX4 passed inspection this morning with no issues. Brakes are still 6/32 front and 8/32 rears. Looks like the Centric rotors and PowerStop Z16 pads for it my brother supplied will sit in my garage now for a while now.

Thanks for all the input on Kiz brake setup folks.
Ron

2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded :D :D )
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top ( :| sold)
WESHOOT2
Posts: 1975
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:37 pm
Location: Vermont

Gettin' better; last tank(s) Mobil prem/mid/reg yielded 28.2MPG. 505 miles, 17.86 gallons.

Wife and I drove 150 miles yesterday in her '16 CRV-EX, and I was reminded how competent it moves.




89,673
WESHOOT2
Posts: 1975
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:37 pm
Location: Vermont

Last tank Mobil premium 25.1MPG.

Hahahahahahahahahaha ha!




90,036
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Ronzuki
Posts: 2382
Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:33 pm
Location: Lancaster County, PA

:drive: hammer-down...

with all this driving you do, how do you find time to post? :?
Ron

2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded :D :D )
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top ( :| sold)
WESHOOT2
Posts: 1975
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:37 pm
Location: Vermont

I'm at work 8-)
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LPSISRL
Posts: 991
Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2013 12:49 pm
Location: Chesapeake, Virginia

I'm not convinced that using slotted or drilled rotors actually does anything. I've seen tests that show that they don't dissipate heat any better and isn't that the main thing that degrades braking performance? Don't the slots and holes just eat up pads faster? I just replaced my pads with Akebonos and the rotors with standard. I had a noticeable difference in braking power I simply attribute to the new components. Seems to me that the only way to really tell if slotted or drilled rotors make any real difference is by actually testing stopping distances from cold to hot and comparing. I will admit that they look cool. Especially if you paint the calipers red or a nice shiny silver.
2011 Kizashi SLS CVT (silver)
2005 Honda Odyssey
Priors:
2009 Suzuki SX4 Cross AWD 5-speed Tech package (vapor metallic blue)
WESHOOT2
Posts: 1975
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:37 pm
Location: Vermont

My breaking thoughts:

Holes
--The holes provide more surface area to release heat
--the holes make the rotor physically lighter (other than the low price, the reason I got drilled rotors for the rear)
--the plasma gassing that occurs between rotor and pad faces is reduced, allowing better pad contact for slowing

Slotted
--The slots provide more surface area to release heat
--the slots make the rotor physically lighter
--the plasma gassing that occurs between rotor and pad faces is reduced, allowing better pad contact for slowing
--testing I've seen shows a reduction in rotor and pad temperature, reducing fade

Both
--See above
--look at what is chosen for many very-high-performance vehicles.

I cannot see them whilst driving, but IMNSHO&E brakes are critical for street driving stupidity. I love brakes.




90,101
Tom Kizzie
Posts: 210
Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2018 11:04 am

For the looks and lower weight. For the heat? Only if i would go on the racetrack every weekend.
kizashi 6mt black
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