akiradavis

Hi everyone,

I have been paying closer attention recently to different caliper positions for sport cars and noticed something. For more "commuter" cars, the front calipers are positioned towards the front of the car and the back calipers are positioned towards the front of the car as well. However, in many sport cars, I realized the calipers are positioned to the middle/rear of the car and the rear is positioned to the middle/rear as well.

With that said, I realized our Gs are positioned towards the front of the car, similar to more commuter cars. Now I realize the front calipers are positioned towards the middle/rear for balancing but now it bothers me that our calipers are positioned to the front.

Do you think that affects our braking balance? Look at the following examples:


Sport cars (BMWs all have the front calipers towards the middle):

BMW M4: http://a38898d4011a160a051fb191.gear...eel.jpg?e1be4f

Lexus IS350 F Sport: http://velgenwheels.com/wp-content/u...n-Wheels-5.jpg

Porsche: http://www.carid.com/images/wheels/porsche-wheels.jpg


Commuter cars:
Toyota Corolla: http://www.torquenews.com/sites/defa...eels_by_jg.jpg

Nissan Altima: http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content...tima-Wheel.jpg


Oddly enough, the GT-R has it towards the front as well:
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-20...-1920x1440.jpg

Is it just a Nissan thing?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

serega13

iTrader: (2)

Probably something to do with weight distribution which is pretty good on G37, something like 52/48 if I'm not mistaken.

Ryne

iTrader: (12)

It probably mostly has to do with suspension design and where there is room to mount the caliper. I don't see how applying the same amount of friction in a different position would yield any performance benefits. Also, your sample size is very small to conclude that a caliper in a certain position is due to a car being geared towards performance or commuter driving. Your own example of the GT-R busts your theory. The GT-R has so much complex engineering put into it that they would have gladly done something as simple as repositioning the mounting point for the caliper if it would have increased braking performance.

akiradavis

I'm at work so time to get a sample size is limited. It strikes me as strange though. Sure the GT-R busts that theory but that's 1 car out of many that I noticed on the street. Aston Martins, Porsches, even Dodge SRT vehicles.

Check out this YouTube video explaining it more thoroughly with a larger sample size:

https://youtu.be/HEIk0hJ7eGk

Black Betty

iTrader: (60)

I always notice this on cars as well. Different engineers position the calipers differently on different cars. Optimally (IMO) both fronts and rears would be placed inboard as low as possible. That's seldom practical. Honestly I doubt it makes a huge difference in performance.

JSolo

iTrader: (14)

I agree, suspension design plays a key roll. Also the goal is to mount them in such a position where any caliper/mounting point flex is minimized.

On motorcycles they now use radial mounted calipers instead of traditionally mounted.

What are radial brakes and why do modern sportbikes have them? - Common Tread - RevZilla

I will say this, as far as feel, pads and lines (mostly pads) made the biggest difference on the bike. Running ebc high performance pads with a well bled SS line resulted in practically no spongyness at the lever resulting in great feedback and modulation.

akiradavis

This is why I love this forum. Very informative. I thought it had to do with performance but now I know it has to do more with the suspension design. I learn something new here everyday!