Drilled or solid disks?

[ambrose]

I'm probably about to replace the front disks on my 86 944 turbo. It's currently completely standard (although about to receive a boost enhancer). I face the question of what disks to use. I'm not averse to modified disks, but I've heard numerous people say that disks that have been machine drilled rather than cast have a tendency to crack.

What are the Porsche driver opinions on this?

On the road, with old disks and standard pads, I sometimes get a little fade. Perhaps with better pads, I can keep it otherwise standard? I've only done one track day so far (and the brakes grab when they're hot) and, dammit, I'm getting old and slow. But if there really are no risks to having drilled disks, maybe I should just go for it, in anticipation of my growing trackday enthisiasm?

Whaddya think?

[robmug]

My latest set of discs are drilled. Went for these purely for cosmetic reasons! Have done 4000 miles since, mainly road (some fast and I do love to brake gard) plus a trackday at Castle Combe. No cracking so far.

Only issues I have found are 1) noisier on track that standard discs and 2) the holes filled with brake dust after the trackday and I haven't decided whether to clear them yet (and if so, how!)

[doctorpepper]

Clear the holes by using a small drill bit.. and poke the dust out. id do it before your next planned outing of hard braking!

[sportsandclassic]

depends how you drive the car if you are a hard driver fast road...or track use get some drilled discs for more cooling.

[2something]

Is there any improvement on using a drill bit to clear dust from the brake holes ? I tried a hand held Hoover and it failed miserably ...

[Joe911]

doctorpepper said:

Clear the holes by using a small drill bit.. and poke the dust out. id do it before your next planned outing of hard braking!

I find it much easier to use an air blaster to clear out the holes - in fact a petrol-station air hose works a treat.

[GreenV8S]

You don't want to use anything hard and brittle like a drill, in fact that's more likely to do harm. Just prod them through with a stiff bit of wire.

PS for the record: drilled discs bad, grooved discs good, m'kay?

[graeme36s]

Have to agree grooved discs better than drilled.

[2something]

Some good tips, thanks guys. In return all I can offer in the way of expertise is not to go and see Atonement....