Exploring the Benefits of 1-Piece Vs. 2-Piece Brake Rotors

Benefits of 1-Piece Vs. 2-Piece Brake Rotors

Every part of your braking system is essential and plays a crucial role in braking performance, the rotors being a significant component in the system. Among the wide variety of rotors available for your car, you may have come across 1-piece rotors and 2-piece rotors. The critical difference between 1-piece and 2-piece rotors is their construction and design. Both have their benefits and best-fit applications, meaning the best choice for your build will depend on what you'll be using it for and what your budget allows. We at Boostin Performance are here to assist you in getting the right parts at the right price, so let's dig into the specifics of each rotor style.

What Are 1-Piece Rotors?

1-piece rotors are the rotors you'll find on just about any road car. They're a solid piece of metal, all the way from the brake contact area to the hat (or bell) that attaches to the wheel hub. They're tried and true braking components and were the first widespread step away from drum brakes thanks to their superior cooling capabilities and general simplicity.

Can I Race With 1-Piece Rotors?

Yes, 1-piece rotors certainly have their place on the track. They offer compelling performance for the price and can be improved in the case of drilled rotors and slotted rotors. You'll also want to consider the vane structure for adequate cooling, but that applies to 2-piece rotors as well. Consult with one of our product specialists at Boostin Performance for help in determining the best 1-piece rotor for your build, but let's explore 2-piece rotors first.

What Are 2-Piece Rotors?

2-piece rotors, as you might guess, come in two pieces: the hat & rotor. The hat is the center part of the disc that connects to the hub and is typically made of lightweight metal (such as aluminum). The hat is secured to the rotor via pins around its circumference that "float" to allow for heat expansion.

What Are the Benefits of 2-Piece Rotors?

While 1-piece rotors are plenty for street vehicles and can even dabble in some steady track driving, there are a few reasons why you might want to side with 2-piece rotors for your car if you're seeking performance gains.

Less Heat Transfer to the Hub

Let's face it—brakes get hot. Really hot. Rotors can exceed 1,000ºF during heavy track use, so it's important to keep that heat in consideration. Since 2-piece rotors use different materials between the hat & rotor and have less contact area to transfer heat from braking, these rotors can reduce the amount of heat that makes its way to your wheel hub and prevent your brakes from roasting your wheel bearings.

Less Likely to Warp or Crack

Thanks to their "floating" design, 2-piece rotors can freely expand with braking heat without adding any additional structural stress to the components. That makes them less prone to the cracking and warping that can be seen on 1-piece rotors after heavy track use.

Reduce Unsprung Mass & Rotational Mass

Though the weight reduction 2-piece rotors offer likely won't noticeably improve your acceleration (unless your car is incredibly light & low on power), they can significantly improve suspension dynamics for road racing. The lower the unsprung mass, the less weight your suspension has to fight against to keep your wheels down on the pavement.

Reusable Hat

While the up-front cost of 2-piece rotors is considerable, some of that cost can be mitigated when you need to replace your rotors since the hats at the center are often reusable. Simply remove the pins and transfer the hats over to the new rotors, and you're good to go.

Which Rotors Should I Choose?

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing new parts for your car, and a lot of choices available that muddy the waters even further. Boostin Performance is your local destination when looking for performance brakes for sale, as we have the knowledge to assist you in making the best decision for your build. From parts to installation and tuning, Boostin Performance is eager to help get your car ready for the drag strip and cruise nights alike. If you're looking for a local performance brake shop, Boostin Performance is eager to work with you.