Brakes!!
Lets talk brakes, more specifically Disc Brake Australia or DBA for short, is an Australian-based company specializing in manufacturing, designing, and globally marketing aftermarket and OE-replacement brake components. Their product range includes brake rotors, drums, pads, shoes, cylinders, calipers, hoses, fluids, sensors, and other related accessories.
DBA's Rotors stand out as their most sought-after products. With a wide array of options to choose from, let's dive into the variety available today!
There are three major categories of DBA rotors -
Street-Series, 4000-Series, and the 5000-Series. Here is a little breakdown of the three:
Street-Series Rotors
EnShield
EnShield technology has been integrated into the Street Series lineup to offer corrosion-resistant rotors, ensuring they maintain their appearance throughout their service life.
- The EnShield process initiates with the application of a zinc/aluminum water-based coating across the entire rotor surface, followed by baking.
- Rotors featuring EnShield technology are identified by the (E) suffix in their Street Series part numbers.
T2
The Street Series T2 rotor provides all the advantages of DBA's Street Series direct replacement rotors, along with the incorporation of DBA's patented T2 slot design.
- The T2 design boasts precisely CNC-machined symmetrical slots, resulting in a smoother, more responsive brake pedal feel.
- Furthermore, the T2 design increases the number of exit points, allowing for better dispersion of friction dust and gases, thereby enhancing pad bite.
- T2 rotors are distinguished by the (S) suffix in their Street Series part numbers.
X Gold
The X Gold variant delivers all the benefits of the Street Series, featuring a premium non-directional cross-drilled and slotted design, complemented by an appealing gold finish on the rotor hub.
- The distinctive cross-drilled and slotted design increases the number of exit points, facilitating the efficient dissipation of brake pad friction dust and gases through both the cross-drilled holes and slots, ultimately enhancing braking performance.
- Although offering similar performance advantages to the T2 slot, the X Gold is a preferred choice for show cars.
- X Gold rotors are identified by the (X) suffix in their Street Series part numbers.
OEX
Street Series OEX rotors are tailored for European vehicle applications, serving as OEM-compatible replacement rotors.
- Featuring OE-style cross-drill patterns, slotted and cross-drill patterns, and/or OE slotted, cross-drilled, and dimpled designs.
- Products are available with left or right-hand fitment options, depending on vent design, drilling, and slot configuration.
- DBA's Street Series OEX rotors are optimized for use with DBA Street Series brake pads or DBA Street Performance brake pads.
HC - Hybrid Composite
DBA presents its own iteration of a Hybrid Composite (HC) rotor, comprising a cast iron braking surface (disc ring) and an aluminum or steel hat, permanently bonded together through a series of rivets or co-casting.
- The rotor showcases DBA's proprietary iron composition for enhanced performance.
- Its two-piece design may reduce overall weight by up to 15% compared to conventional one-piece rotors.
- Full R90 certification ensures additional peace of mind.
4000-Series Rotors
HD "OE Style" Rotors
The 4000 Series HD variant showcases a sleek OE-style rotor finish, favored by drivers seeking the advantages of a 4000 Series rotor while desiring an OE-style appearance, particularly suited for controlled race divisions.
4000 Series HD brake rotors do not feature any part number suffix.
4000 Series HD Brake Rotor
4000-Series T3 Rotors
The 4000 Series T3 represents the pinnacle of direct replacement single-piece performance brake rotors, incorporating all the benefits of the 4000 Series along with DBA's renowned T3 bi-directional slot design.
Based on the foundation of DBA's T2 slot, the T3 slot design incorporates additional precisely CNC-machined tri-symmetrical slots, resulting in a smoother, quieter, and more responsive brake pedal feel. The T3 slot design increases the number of exit points for brake pad friction dust and gases, enhancing the consistency and effectiveness of each brake stop.
We recommend T3 slot rotors for high-performance applications.
T3 rotors are identified by the (S) suffix in their 4000 Series part numbers.
XS Gold Rotors
XS Gold offers all the benefits of the 4000 Series, featuring a premium non-directional cross-drilled and slotted design, coupled with an appealing gold finish on the rotor hub.
The unique cross-drilled and slotted design increases the number of exit points, allowing more brake pad friction dust and gases to dissipate through both the cross-drilled holes and slots, resulting in improved braking performance.
- While providing similar performance advantages to the T3 slot, the XS Gold is a popular choice for show cars.
- Drilled rotor configurations are not recommended for heavy off-road or track day usage.
- XS Gold rotors are distinguished by the (XS) suffix in their 4000 Series part numbers.
4000-Series XD Rotors
The 4000 Series XD variant features DBA's non-directional cross-drilled and dimpled rotor design
- The XD finish offers additional cooling benefits compared to the HD specification, along with enhanced sports aesthetics.
- DBA's combination of dimples and drilled holes provides superior rotor structural support compared to traditional cross-drilled techniques.
- Drilled rotor configurations are not recommended for heavy off-road or track day usage.
- XD rotors are denoted by the (XD) suffix in their 4000 Series part numbers.
5000-Series Rotors
5000-Series HD Rotors
The 5000 Series HD variant features a sleek OE-style rotor finish, favored by drivers seeking the benefits of a 5000 Series rotor without the need for slotting, cross-drilling, or dimpling.
- 5000 Series HD brake rotors do not have any part number suffix.
5000-Series T3 Rotors
The 5000 Series T3 represents the pinnacle of direct replacement two-piece performance brake rotors, incorporating all the advantages of the 5000 Series alongside DBA's patented T3 bi-directional slot design.
Based on the foundation of DBA's T2 slot, the T3 slot design features additional precisely CNC-machined tri-symmetrical slots, resulting in a smoother, quieter, and more responsive braking experience. The T3 slot design increases the number of exit points for brake pad friction dust and gases, enhancing the consistency and effectiveness of every brake stop.
- DBA recommends T3 slot rotors for high-performance applications.
- T3 rotors are identified by the suffix (S) in their 5000 Series part numbers.
5000-Series XS Rotors
XS offers all the benefits of the 5000 Series, featuring a premium non-directional cross-drilled and slotted design, with various finishes available on the rotor hub.
The unique cross-drilled and slotted design increases the number of exit points, allowing more brake pad friction dust and gases to dissipate through both the cross-drilled holes and slots, resulting in improved braking performance.
- While providing similar performance advantages to the T3 slot, the XS is a popular choice for show cars.
- XS rotors are distinguished by the suffix (XS) in their 5000 Series part numbers.
5000-Seriers XD Rotors
The 5000 Series XD variant features a non-directional cross-drilled and dimpled design. The XD finish provides cooling benefits beyond the HD finish, along with enhanced sports aesthetics.
- XD utilizes a combination of dimples and drilled holes to provide enhanced structural support compared to traditional cross-drilled techniques.
- We do not recommend XD rotors for track use.
- XD rotors are denoted by the suffix (XD) in their 5000 Series part numbers.
5000 Series direct replacement rotors are available as complete assemblies (hat and rings bolted together for direct replacement) or as replacement parts (hats or rings).
This allows drivers who own DBA 5000 Series rotors the option to replace only the cast iron rotor rings while retaining their previously used aluminum hats. This approach is not only cost-effective for those who are hard on brakes but also allows for easy replacement of DBA hats or rings.
We recommend thoroughly inspecting aluminum hats for damage and wear when only replacing the 5000 Series rings, along with using DBA-spec bolts and nuts.
We recommend tightening the NAS nut and bolt assembly to 13 Nm or 9.6 ft-lb of torque.