Rotor Performance:
Wilwood Engineering produces over 120 different types of high
performance rotors designed specifically for racing applications.
Although a rotor’s basic function is to disburse energy (in the
form of heat) created by the brake pads clamping onto the rapidly
rotating rotor, how well a rotor performs this job under the extremes
of racing is why Wilwood rotors are considered the best in the industry.
The key elements involved in a high performance rotor
are:
What is the mechanical advantage of the
rotor (diameter).
How stable (resistant to cracking) is
the rotor material during thermal cycling (the continual process
of heating and cooling).
How stable is the rotor material when
thermal shock occurs (the large, sudden, rapid change in rotor
temperature).
How efficient the rotor is at disbursing
heat caused by friction between the rotor and brake pad.
How light the rotor can be made and still
perform the task required (rotating weight not only contributes
to unwanted unsprung weight, but also rotating weight).
Wilwood engineers address these critical
questions and others when designing rotors. Because race cars differ
in their braking requirements, Wilwood has developed both specific
designs and specialized materials and manufacturing techniques to
accommodate different performance criteria.
Wilwood vented
rotors are designed for maximum cooling. The internal vanes pump
cool air from the center of the wheel and take heat away from the
rotor, allowing rotor temperatures to decrease. Wilwood has designed
special curved vane and straight vane rotors to effectively move
large volumes of air to rapidly disburse this heat (energy). Specially
formulated iron is used to enhance the stability of the rotor, while
allowing difficult castings in complex vane configurations to be
produced. Wilwood’s proprietary casting techniques are the result
of over 20 years of vented rotor research and development combined
with actual on-track performance evaluation. All rotors are precision
machined to assure surfaces are flat and parallel.
Wilwood
specialty steel rotors are used when rapid thermal inputs occur
and material stability is required (i.e. when a dragster must brake
from 300 mph). Under such conditions specialty steels are used,
often cross drilled to reduce rotational weight. Wilwood also manufactures
dynamic mount rotors for Super Speedway applications as well as
special limited duty street rod and pro series solid rotors.
For all rotor designs, Wilwood conducts extensive in-house
dynamometer testing to measure results of rotors under the most
demanding conditions, This unique testing, teamed with extensive
research and development and track testing assure the racer of the
best quality high performance rotors available.
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GT
48 Fin Curved Rotor
Heavy Duty (H/D) Curved 48 Fin Rotor
Ultralight
(UL) Curved 32 Fin Rotor
Ultralite Vented Rotors
Solid/Drilled
Steel Rotors
Pin Mount Aluminum Rotors
Splined Rotors
Technical
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