Do there exist any rotors as described above that will not void my warranty (dealer installed of course) I know TRD doesn't have any for the tC yet, but anything...?

I am not a warranty voider by nature... but my wheels require better looking rotors.

 

Get the ones from the Celica GTS, I hear they are the same.

 

Yes, i read that - but do you think that would be a warranty void?

 

Being that it's a TRD part for a car that the tC shares its braking system with, I would doubt it.

If the brake shoe fits....

 

No. By law, the defective part is what has to cause the malfunction in order for it to void your warranty.

If you install new rotors, the only problems you may have is with the braking system. But I don't see what could go wrong. Just take your time with the install and break them in correctly.

I'd recommend going with slotted because the rotors have been known to be stronger. Don't buy Ebay cross-drilled rotors, those are originally blanks just drilled. Brembo cross drilled are done in the originally manufacuturing process and are known to be much stronger and more reliable (against cracking).

 

Does TRD sell rotors for the celica - or just the big brake kit?

 

Joe,

Thanks for your good post - I agree with the poor rotors - in the past I've used dimpled rotors on my cars because they have the closest to a solid structure and look nice. But the Brembo rotors are niiiiiiice.

 

Well it appears the Big Brake Kit comes with slotted rotors and only for the front wheels (then again you'd only need them for the front wheels). You'd probably have to check a parts catalog for the part numbers of just the rotors, but they most likely only work with the brake kit because of the size. $2,200 is a bit steep.

 

PowerSlot offers a set of plus sized rotors for the tC, front and back, that come w/ a caliper relocation kit. So, you can still use the stock Calipers, and have bigger rotors (about 12" vs 10") w/o the cost of a big brake kit. The kit is about $550 for the fronts, $350 for the rears. TireRack carries them among others.

Personally, if I were going for a better looking brake system, I would buy a set of Brembo OEM replacement rotors and paint the calipers. The rotors aren't slotted, but the cost savings is about a $400 over a set of slotted Brembo's, and an $800 cost savings over the plus sized rotor kit. Add a set of SS brakelines from Stoptech, step up to Motul 600, and some Axis pads and call it mint. That would be a good looking and performing brake system, and save a lot of cash.

 

^^^ Agreed, brake bling!

 

Out of curisity, I added up all of those items I suggested earlier.

The pads (Axxis Ultimate), brake fluid (2000 ml), and SS brake lines would be $324 plus shipping. The caliper paint is probably around $40 and the Brembo OEM replacement rotors would be around $192 plus shipping. So, about $575 - $600 for everything, unless there's a free shipping offer, in which case it would cheaper.

 

That's a good deal! Think I might have to add this to my list. Do you have any vendor sites?

 

This is pretty much the setup I'm going to go with too. You can buy the SS brake lines, Axxis Pads, and brake fluid directly from Stoptech. TireRack caries the Brembo OEM replacement rotors, but so do many others for cheaper. However, I haven't used any of them so I don’t know if they're reputable or not. You can also get the caliper paint from TireRack.

 

Well TireRack and StopTech have been around for years and I haven't heard anything bad about either.

 

I'm pretty confident in the reliability of StopTech and TireRack too. Sorry, what I meant was that I haven’t used any of those other places (that I didn’t list) that carry the Brembo rotors for cheaper. Do a Google for Brembo Rotors and you'll get tons of shops.

 

The Powerslot kits used to be sold under the AEM name, but AEM has stopped selling them and now they're sold under the Powerslot name. I believe Powerslot has always been the manufacturer of the AEM kits.

I think the larger rotors and caliper relocation brackets are an excellent compromise between price and performance. For better performance only on a budget, get better brake pads. For the ultimate in looks and performance (if price is no object,) go for a TRD or other big brake kit. For me, when I do decide to upgrade my brakes, I'll be looking at something like the Powerslot kit with stainless lines and upgraded pads.

Changing the stock rotors for dimpled/slotted/drilled stock size rotors will do virtually nothing for performance, but maybe a little for looks.

 

i agree with Thrawn.. i haven't replaced the brakes yet on my tC but I did do this on my civic (96).. I too went with the OEM Brembo rotors, much more beefy and solid than the Honda OEM Spec.. larger internal vents and more "true" out of the box than the OEM. Now I cannot compare Honda to Toyota since Honda is going down the drain in terms of quality.. I can only speak of my experience. I went with the OEM Brembo rotors and then put some Porterfield R4S (carbon/kevlar) pads on the OEM calipers.. braking was much much improved.. a huge difference in pedal feel, and quicker stopping.. plus since the Brembo's had larger internal venting, no more warped rotors..

So I would agree with Thrawn... great way to go..

 

In any event, thanks for all the advice. But I don't know that anyone answered the question yet.

Is there a set of OEM size cross-drilled, slotted, or dimpled rotors that would not void my warranty.

I am aware of all the options mentioned, but I'm wonder if the option that i am interested in exists.

I will purchase them if they exist, and subsequently put on stainless steel brake lines too to help with the somewhat mushy brake pedal (used to stainless steel lines with Mintex red brake peds on my odl car)

 

yeah we did get a little off topic there.. to answer your question.. yes I would assume that there are rotors out there that would fit and no I do not think that it would void your warranty.. Only warranty it could void was if the part was defective and it ruined any part that the rotors came into like the wheel bearings (hub) or the calipers, etc.. If you got a good name like Brembo I wouldn't see you having these problems. And yes I do believe that exist.. Just have to do a search with Brembo and see what they have so far. The mushy brake pedal though, I think you should have the dealer check and re-bleed the system.. that may be all you need..

The pedal on my tC is firm.. Yes I agree that there could be MORE stopping power with the OEM brake pads but hey it's pretty good for OEM brakes.. But the pedal is still firm not mushy.. It sounds like you might have some air in the brake lines.. might want to have that checked.. hope that helps answer more of your question

 

No, the brakes are fine for OEM - I'm just used to an aftermarket system and would let to get back to that...

thanks for the info!