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 disperse 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 dispersing 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 disperse 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.