Thread: Cheap rotors/pads from Ebay(R1 Concepts)... You opinion is requested!!

Alright, I have been doing a little research after seeing a few posts about R1 Concept's brake parts. I looked at GeddyLee's post, where he showed is rotors from R1 Concepts. They look very nice and not cheap. BUT! The price for the items make me raise an eyebrow. I have learned with auto parts, you get what you pay for. Period. There are many things on a vehicle you DO NOT want to go cheap on. The two major ones (in my opinion) are battery and brakes.

Cheap battery = no start
Cheap break = no stop

Anyway there may be an exception to these. I had my eye on these two actions:

eBay Motors: Pontiac Grand Prix 89-99 01 02 03 D/S F+R Brake Rotors (item 320265113367 end time Jun-25-08 14:22:24 PDT)

^^^^^ Without pads


eBay Motors: Pontiac Grand Prix 89-99 01 02 03 F+R D/S BRAKE ROTORS (item 330245509389 end time Jun-25-08 14:22:32 PDT)

^^^ With pads.


Im not to worried about the pads. I would almost rather purchase the pads on my own at the auto store because I do not want to mess around with cheapo pads.

So whats up with these rotors? Will they warp on me in a year or two? Crack? Pit? Would you guys recommend i get them, or should i stay away from them. I also would possibly like to increase to rear rotors (or whatever you guys recommend). I have read that people are putting on Monte Carlo rotors in the back (i could be mistaken), which acts as an upgrade in braking power!

Anyway I need to get my brakes redone. They have been acting up on me and its time for a whole new brake equipment. Please let me know what you think, and any setups that you recommend. Thank you!!

Thanks for the input.

How about increasing the rotor size? What would rotor would i purchase to safely do this?

We've been using them on Impalas since they first came out. The only issue anyone has really had with them is some clicking, but that was side effect of the pads used and the slots. Anyone who has used their included pads has had no problems.

Originally Posted by Freebeer187

Thanks for the input.

How about increasing the rotor size? What would rotor would i purchase to safely do this?

You'd need either 00-05 Impala/Monte calipers and brackets or a 98-02 LS1 F-body calipers and brackets. Both use a 12" rotor.

Be prepared to wait from R1 it took me 3 weeks to get my order

Originally Posted by Freebeer187

Alright, I have been doing a little research after seeing a few posts about R1 Concept's brake parts. I looked at GeddyLee's post, where he showed is rotors from R1 Concepts. They look very nice and not cheap. BUT! The price for the items make me raise an eyebrow. I have learned with auto parts, you get what you pay for. Period. There are many things on a vehicle you DO NOT want to go cheap on. The two major ones (in my opinion) are battery and brakes.

Cheap battery = no start
Cheap break = no stop

Anyway there may be an exception to these. I had my eye on these two actions:

eBay Motors: Pontiac Grand Prix 89-99 01 02 03 D/S F+R Brake Rotors (item 320265113367 end time Jun-25-08 14:22:24 PDT)

^^^^^ Without pads


eBay Motors: Pontiac Grand Prix 89-99 01 02 03 F+R D/S BRAKE ROTORS (item 330245509389 end time Jun-25-08 14:22:32 PDT)

^^^ With pads.


Im not to worried about the pads. I would almost rather purchase the pads on my own at the auto store because I do not want to mess around with cheapo pads.

So whats up with these rotors? Will they warp on me in a year or two? Crack? Pit? Would you guys recommend i get them, or should i stay away from them. I also would possibly like to increase to rear rotors (or whatever you guys recommend). I have read that people are putting on Monte Carlo rotors in the back (i could be mistaken), which acts as an upgrade in braking power!

Anyway I need to get my brakes redone. They have been acting up on me and its time for a whole new brake equipment. Please let me know what you think, and any setups that you recommend. Thank you!!

Hiya Free,

Sorry I didnt see this post earlier to comment on it. I can certainly understand your feelings on the brakes and battery. I feel the same way. In regards to the R1 Rotors, I have had them on for a few months now and I could not be happier! Even if they are their "E-Line" series of rotors, they are still made quite well! I have NO complaints at all. The stopping power is great and I experience NO fade. Webracin a happy owner of them for almost 3-4 years now without any issue.

Plus as TD said, feedback is your friend. And R1 is right up there with the best and they surly have a HUGE following, 22,000+ feedbacks and almost ALL positive. I would venture to guess to say its a safe bet you will never have any problems with them.

Now to your concerns about cracking. Are there valid concerns about drilled rotors cracking? Perhaps. But with the R1's and several others out there on eBay. They campfer* the drill holes, in other words, bevel them so they are smoothed out to prevent cracking. Will that stop it entirely? Its hard to tell. But I had a set of drilled rotors (noncampfered*) from Tuto Automotive off eBay on my old GT for 3 years and they never cracked. I think its more the luck of the draw than anything when it comes to cracking of the drill holes. If they were that prone to cracking, no one would drill holes in them.

You could always find the "dimpled" and slotted rotors if you are afraid of that issue. But in all honestly I think you will be getting a new car long before you would ever see the rotor drill holes crackings. Just my two cents on that one.

As for the larger brakes. I personally, for now, have just done the 12" caliper bracket upgrade and purchased the 02-05 Monte Carlo/Impala style rotors. You get the "upgraded" 12" front discs plus the standard 10.75" rear discs. I am just using my factory caliper with the 12" bracket without issue. Later on I will get the F-Body upgrade calipers with the dual pistons, but that is something that can wait for now.

Just some things to think about.