What sets one brake setup apart from another?

JoeyD

^ Good information in the list; however...

1) Build quality (good enough is good enough and the Akebono seem to have no problems there)
2)Again good enough is good enough. Obviously a lighter caliper means less unsprung weight but the differences in weight are negligible from one caliper to the next of similar design (IE # of pistons).
3) I assume more pistons means that heat and force can be spread over a larger area. However, if a caliper with 2 pistons has enough force to lock a wheel/tire then it obviously has achieved the maximum brake horse power. So if a 4 piston can lock the wheel as fast a 6 piston I see no performance benefit in the extra pistons.
4)Again pads can be interchanged on any brake system. so area is all that matters.
5)Rotors can be relatively cheaply replaced and therefor I don't see them as a significant cost/performance factor.
6) This one is very true. However, if one system has been made in the 10s of thousands and the other in limited runs, but both perform similarly I don't see the reason to spend all the money on the limited one. I'm not in to spending 5.5k (probably more like 4.5K when pads/lines/rotors are upgraded) for a nice color caliper and little noticable performance gain.

I would like to see this test. 4 370Zs all identical except for brakes.
1)370Z Base+Sports
2)370Z Base+Sports+Upgraded Pads/lines/fluids/and rotors.
3)Brembo Equiped 370Z+Sports
4)AP Racing Equiped 370Z+Sports

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