Have any of you been to the site http:/www.frozenrotors.com ?

Ok, here is the gig -- they take a set of premium brake rotors for your car and deep freeze them for 3-4 days at -300 degrees fahrenheit. They call it cryogenics.

Apparently this treament alters the metal in such a way that it dramatically improves braking and rotor endurance. Pretty much guarantees you will never warp one of their rotors.

Sound crazy ?! Well don't shoot me I'm only the messenger -- go check out the web site !

I talked to the guy (owner) for about 1/2 hour (on the phone) and he has a compelling case. He got his start by applying cryogenic method to military equipment. He says gun barrel service life triples when he applys his treatment and this is where he got his start in business -- freezing guns. Go figure eh ?

If I can't do a 1LE conversion (too much $$$) then what can I get that is 2nd best ? He will send me a set of rotors drilled and cross cut for about $240 US a pair. I was considering these rotors, carbon fiber pads and flex-steel brake lines for the front-end. Should improve my braking dramatically.

Any thoughts ?

RP.

 

I know the process is used to prevent cracked rotors, but does it actually increase the performance of the stock brakes?

 

Well that is the $64k question eh ? Here is the argument pro:

The treated rotor has a higher density so responds to heat differently. Under pressure (braking) the rotors carry less heat than stock allowing for improved response from the interaction of the pads with metal. Heat sink and the ability to dissipate heat are key characteristics of the rotors and braking systems (stock or otherwise). It seems reasonable to conclude that the treated rotors resolve this issue ?

Traditionally, drilled and cross cut rotors have less swept area creating a trade off between contact surface and cooling-ability. You can stop faster with cut'n drilled rotors but they will warp and when they do they are unserviceable and can't be resurfaced.
Yet the cut and drill are very desireable for performance reasons -- your brakes will work much better under pressure when micro materials can be cleared through the drilled holes and gases can be vented through cross-cutting. Of course you will be cleaning your front rims more often...

The cryo treatment theoretically (I haven't tried them yet) takes the 'warpage' factor out of the equation, atleast for a street car like mine driven less than 10k per year over 3 seasons. And I will always choose cut'n drilled rotors over clear surface rotors 10 times out of 10 -- if maintenance (warpage) is no longer an issue.

Keep in mind I would use flex steel brake hoses and carbon F pads together with the cryo rotors. Should make the stock brake setup perform like a BIG DOLLAR system.

I expect I will try this mod in March/2002 along with my sub-frames (anyone got any advice on sub-frames ? Belay that, I'll make a new post) and fill you in then.

RP.

 

Seems kinda fishy to me.

 

Hey you should check out a similar thread I started over in Suspension Chassis and Brakes. Asked the same question about cryo treatment and then the fireworks began !

I haven't tried them before so have a limited opinion on their effectiveness ??? Judging by the comments of the parallel thread it seems that some have tried them and like them alot while others who haven't tried them are flaming the cryo method.

I'll see how brave I am (risking $200 US for the cryo rotors) when it comes time to put my car back on the road (it needs pads and rotors) ?!?!?

RP.