Ceramic Rotors?
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From: Greenville, SC
Ceramic Rotors?
Is this a worthwhile upgrade from stock? I've ordered a set (F/R) but have not seen a post regarding it (yeah, I could do a search but honestly the forum search function is simply inadequate to me.)
I'm not going to be racing it, perhaps a gymkhana (sp?) or two. But I do want enhanced braking.
Who's done this and what's your opinion. Is it worth the expense?
I'm not going to be racing it, perhaps a gymkhana (sp?) or two. But I do want enhanced braking.
Who's done this and what's your opinion. Is it worth the expense?
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I am not sure what you mean by "enhanced braking"
Any stock 996 setup can easily lock up the tires. For autocross/gymkhana you don't really need brake capacity, you need consistency and maybe some preference regarding brake travel/grabbiness. If you actually bought ceramics that will probably bump you a class into something incredibly uncompetitive since ceramics were never an option on your car.
Still cool though, which ceramics did you buy? There are a ton of good affordable options right now for $3-5k
Any stock 996 setup can easily lock up the tires. For autocross/gymkhana you don't really need brake capacity, you need consistency and maybe some preference regarding brake travel/grabbiness. If you actually bought ceramics that will probably bump you a class into something incredibly uncompetitive since ceramics were never an option on your car.
Still cool though, which ceramics did you buy? There are a ton of good affordable options right now for $3-5k
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From: Hudson Valley, NY
Is this a worthwhile upgrade from stock? I've ordered a set (F/R) but have not seen a post regarding it (yeah, I could do a search but honestly the forum search function is simply inadequate to me.)
I'm not going to be racing it, perhaps a gymkhana (sp?) or two. But I do want enhanced braking.
Who's done this and what's your opinion. Is it worth the expense?
I'm not going to be racing it, perhaps a gymkhana (sp?) or two. But I do want enhanced braking.
Who's done this and what's your opinion. Is it worth the expense?
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 164
Likes: 50
From: Greenville, SC
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 164
Likes: 50
From: Greenville, SC
I am not sure what you mean by "enhanced braking"
Any stock 996 setup can easily lock up the tires. For autocross/gymkhana you don't really need brake capacity, you need consistency and maybe some preference regarding brake travel/grabbiness. If you actually bought ceramics that will probably bump you a class into something incredibly uncompetitive since ceramics were never an option on your car.
Still cool though, which ceramics did you buy? There are a ton of good affordable options right now for $3-5k
Any stock 996 setup can easily lock up the tires. For autocross/gymkhana you don't really need brake capacity, you need consistency and maybe some preference regarding brake travel/grabbiness. If you actually bought ceramics that will probably bump you a class into something incredibly uncompetitive since ceramics were never an option on your car.
Still cool though, which ceramics did you buy? There are a ton of good affordable options right now for $3-5k
Cost is far less that $3k, how about >$400
Link in next reply
Last edited by dglenn99; Jun 6, 2026 at 07:29 PM. Reason: address poster directly
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From: San Diego
Thread Starter
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From: Greenville, SC
My bad. The only issue I have with Parts Geek is the numerous categories parts are listed under. In this case, it's actually listed under 'rotor and break pad kits'
Here is the corrected link Rotor and Pad kits
Here is the corrected link Rotor and Pad kits
Last edited by dglenn99; Jun 6, 2026 at 08:20 PM. Reason: spelling correction
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if you are lookingbfor more cooling, get yourself a set of GT3 lower brake ducts. They are cheap and easy and will provide better airflow for brake cooling.
You can also get the GT3 front fender liners which are another great upgrade. Dont waste your time with modifying the 996 front fender liners. You need to seal up the lower air duct in front of the front wheel and remove the rear air duct on the back of the radiators to redirect air flow to get any benefit. Hence just going with the GT3 front fender liners which do this.
However, if you want better braking, then thats another conversation.
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@hbdunn I had a 2002 996 C4S come into the Shop ( Birmingham Porsche ) one time that had the Ceramic Brake Option M450 .... At that time the Rotors were $4k each..... I see now they are about $8k each.....lol
Gray Cast Iron Rotors are $125 each ...
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From: Hudson Valley, NY
Fwiw, what you are looking at are not ceramic rotors. You wont run any cooler. But you may give up braking power which imho I wouldnt sacrifice.
if you are lookingbfor more cooling, get yourself a set of GT3 lower brake ducts. They are cheap and easy and will provide better airflow for brake cooling.
You can also get the GT3 front fender liners which are another great upgrade. Dont waste your time with modifying the 996 front fender liners. You need to seal up the lower air duct in front of the front wheel and remove the rear air duct on the back of the radiators to redirect air flow to get any benefit. Hence just going with the GT3 front fender liners which do this.
However, if you want better braking, then thats another conversation.
if you are lookingbfor more cooling, get yourself a set of GT3 lower brake ducts. They are cheap and easy and will provide better airflow for brake cooling.
You can also get the GT3 front fender liners which are another great upgrade. Dont waste your time with modifying the 996 front fender liners. You need to seal up the lower air duct in front of the front wheel and remove the rear air duct on the back of the radiators to redirect air flow to get any benefit. Hence just going with the GT3 front fender liners which do this.
However, if you want better braking, then thats another conversation.
April 2024 vs today
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From: Greenville, SC
Description of my front rotor purchase.
Power Stop Brake Pad and Rotor Kit - Front
Part Number: 83-02160352
Brand: Power Stop
Notes: Front Genuine Geomet Coated Rotor and Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pad Kit
This complete kit is engineered to improve the braking performance of the European vehicle you use everyday
Z23 Carbon-Fiber Ceramic compound significantly enhances braking & Genuine Geomet Coated rotors
Brake rotors are fully Geomet coated, to maintain that great look behind open design wheels
Power Stop Brake Pad and Rotor Kit - Front
Part Number: 83-02160352
Brand: Power Stop
Notes: Front Genuine Geomet Coated Rotor and Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pad Kit
This complete kit is engineered to improve the braking performance of the European vehicle you use everyday
Z23 Carbon-Fiber Ceramic compound significantly enhances braking & Genuine Geomet Coated rotors
Brake rotors are fully Geomet coated, to maintain that great look behind open design wheels
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
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Description of my front rotor purchase.
Power Stop Brake Pad and Rotor Kit - Front
Part Number: 83-02160352
Brand: Power Stop
Notes: Front Genuine Geomet Coated Rotor and Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pad Kit
This complete kit is engineered to improve the braking performance of the European vehicle you use everyday
Z23 Carbon-Fiber Ceramic compound significantly enhances braking & Genuine Geomet Coated rotors
Brake rotors are fully Geomet coated, to maintain that great look behind open design wheels
Power Stop Brake Pad and Rotor Kit - Front
Part Number: 83-02160352
Brand: Power Stop
Notes: Front Genuine Geomet Coated Rotor and Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pad Kit
This complete kit is engineered to improve the braking performance of the European vehicle you use everyday
Z23 Carbon-Fiber Ceramic compound significantly enhances braking & Genuine Geomet Coated rotors
Brake rotors are fully Geomet coated, to maintain that great look behind open design wheels
Braking will not improve over stock but if you're lucky, you won't sense a difference over stock pads (if that's what you had previously). Perhaps you will enjoy less brake dust on the wheels.
The geomet coating is good and will obviously wear away on the rotor surface itself (but so will any surface rust, should it appear after some rainfall). The bells should remain free of rust better than had they been just coated with some zinc spray.
Since you've already bought them, please report back your direct experience after 200 miles of driving & braking.
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From: the perimeter
OP is getting coated cast iron rotors plus ceramic pads, $220 all in. I would wager that the braking effectiveness will be less than stock. But less dust, yay.