Big Brake Kit Rotor Upgrade / TTSPORT 355x32mm Dacromet Rotor
Not every brake upgrade means tearing off the whole kit and starting over. This case study covers a rotor-only refresh: an existing AP8530-style big brake kit keeps its caliper and rotor hat, and gets a new TTSPORT 355x32mm Dacromet curved-vane rotor to bring back looks and performance without buying a whole new caliper setup.
A lot of owners assume TTSPORT only sells complete big brake kits. That's not the case — components like rotors, pads, and lines can be sourced individually to fit an existing setup, which is exactly what happened here with an AP8530 kit that needed fresh rotors.
Vehicle & Kit Specs
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Existing kit | AP8530 big brake caliper, retained and reused |
| Rotor replaced | TTSPORT 355×32mm Dacromet curved-vane rotor |
| Rotor hat | Original AP8530 rotor hat reused, machined and resprayed black |
| Rotor coating | Dacromet (zinc-flake) corrosion-resistant finish |
| Prep work | Hub and pad contact surfaces machined for correct fitment |
Why It Works
A brake pad never sweeps the entire rotor face — only the band where the pad contacts it. On an uncoated iron rotor, the exposed area outside that contact band is left bare to the air and will rust over time, even on a rotor that's otherwise performing fine. TTSPORT's Dacromet coating protects that exposed surface from corrosion, so the rotor holds its finish and resale value a lot longer.
The replacement rotor keeps the same internal vane structure and curved brake-track design as the original AP8530 rotor, using directional venting and a curved friction surface to manage heat and maintain bite the way the factory setup was designed to.
- Dacromet coating resists rust on the pad-free area of the rotor face
- Curved-vane venting matches the original AP8530 rotor's cooling design
- Reusing the original hat and caliper keeps the swap affordable
The Install: New Rotor, Refinished Hat
The technician pulled the original rotor and pads first, then machined the hub and pad contact surfaces so the new TTSPORT rotor would seat correctly and run true. The original AP8530 rotor hat was sanded and resprayed black — enough to hide the wear on the old hat without replacing it, so the finished assembly reads as a fresh kit.
Installation Gallery
Back on the car, the once-tired-looking AP8530 caliper looks a lot fresher sitting behind the new Dacromet rotor and repainted hat — a full-kit look for a fraction of the cost of replacing everything.
Can I replace just the rotors on an existing AP8530 big brake kit instead of buying a full TTSPORT kit?
What does the Dacromet coating on the TTSPORT rotor do?
Does the TTSPORT replacement rotor keep the same cooling design as the original AP8530 rotor?
Need fitment confirmation? Choose the closest TTSPORT series or send your vehicle, wheel size, and intended use before ordering.