What sets one brake setup apart from another?

JoeyD

As far as I know the two main factors to consider when choosing a brake package are weight and heat capacity. I have searched the interwebs high and low trying to find what makes one caliper better than another and one rotor better than the next. I have not come up with a single piece of science that explain to me why a 7K Brembo package (front and rear) is better than the 1.5K Akebono. Much less 5.5K better.

I understand things like SS lines, superior pads, and slotted rotors improve braking but these things can easily be retrofitted on to the Akebono setup for MUCH less than replacing the whole system with Brembo. I hear terminology like "sequentially sized pistons" but no explanation of what it does or why it helps. I hear people mention caliper stability, but I can't imagine one caliper flexes noticeably more than another.

So, who knows brakes, and can explain to me why one brake system outperforms another?

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When was the last time you did 230MPH in something with 4 seats?