John Butler
If you’ve been shopping with us for a while, you may have noticed that we’re very particular about which brands we carry. This is not only because we know our customers want the highest quality, but also because we’re a reliable brand and we want to keep it that way. We are very selective about which brands we partner with.
When it comes to brake rotors, we fully stand behind the DBA brand. DBA is a worldwide manufacturer of high quality brake rotors and pads. All DBA rotors are a massive upgrade from OEM rotors. If you’re wondering how DBA rotors stack up against OEM rotors, you came to the right place.
About DBA
DBA stands for Disc Brakes Australia. They specialize in brake rotor development and manufacturing. The company makes high quality direct replacement brake rotors and pads. DBA has developed rotors for all different types of vehicles:
- Daily drivers
- Performance vehicles
- Towing vehicles
- 4×4 off-road vehicles
- Military vehicles
- Armored vehicles
- Track and motorsport vehicles
DBA has been awarded many times for its brake rotor advancements and innovations. In fact, it’s one of Australia’s most awarded manufacturers. DBA rotors are some of the best rotors you could get for your application.
How DBA Rotors Compare To OEM Rotors
DBA rotors are ideal for a variety of applications, including performance and heavy-duty ones. Let’s take a look at how they compare to OEM rotors:
1. Greater Heat Dissipation
Heat dissipation is important for high performance applications. This is especially the case when brakes can get extremely hot. Rotors with better heat dissipation last longer, and help brake pads last longer too.
OEM brakes are built for daily driving, not performance or heavy duty applications. OEM brakes can’t dissipate the amount of heat that is generated during heavy braking.
DBA brake rotors have a vented design that helps dissipate heat quickly and efficiently. This means your brakes will stay cooler for longer, allowing you to perform at your best. This is even the case in extreme conditions.
DBA brake rotors also have more cooling surface area than OEM rotors. This helps dissipate heat even further. The aluminum hats on DBA rotors are made out of Aerospace grade (T6061-T6) aluminium. This material reduces the heat transfer from the rotors to the wheel hubs and bearings. So DBA rotors not only stay cool, but they also keep your brake pads, wheel hubs, and bearings cooler too.
2. Less Rotational Mass
Rotational mass is important for high performance applications. It impacts how fast the rotor can be stopped or accelerated. The less rotational mass a brake rotor has, the quicker it can be stopped or accelerated.
Again, OEM brakes are built for daily driving, not performance or heavy duty applications. OEM brake rotors often have more rotational mass than aftermarket performance-oriented rotors. DBA rotors are no exception.
The aerospace grade aluminum hats reduce the overall weight of the rotor as compared to a single piece cast iron OEM rotors. OEM rotors tend to be heavy in some areas and light in other areas (uneven mass distribution). This can make your vehicle feel “lumpy” when braking. DBA rotors have a uniform mass distribution, which results in a smooth, consistent feel when braking.
3. Quicker Cooling
DBA rotors have slots and/or drilled holes. This helps cool the rotors quickly, even more so than OEM rotors. Slots help remove hot gases and brake dust, which helps provide quicker stops. There’s also reduced heat transfer between the rotors and the hubs and bearings via the aluminum hats. This lengthens the lifespan of hubs and bearing.
4. Greater Durability
OEM brake rotors are prone to warping, especially when used in high performance or heavy duty applications. DBA brake rotors are much more durable, and can withstand even the most extreme conditions.
DBA brake rotors are made from high quality materials that are heat treated and tested. This makes them much stronger and more durable than OEM brake rotors.
To sum it up, DBA rotors provide much better and more reliable stopping power than OEM rotors. If you need to replace your rotors and/or if you’d like to treat your car to a new set of DBA rotors, check out our selection here. Please contact us if you have any questions about upgrading to DBA rotors.
