Wake and Brake
Brakes are one of the most overlooked upgrades on a car. There is no point in building an engine and car if you can’t brake in time for a turn. Good brakes will keep you from slamming in to a wall and can also lower your lap times by allowing for later braking point. The bling factor is high but there are several advantages for upgrading you brakes.
Pads
Pads are the simplest and most inexpensive way to improve braking performance. Pads are made with various materials (; organic, ceramic compound and semi-metallic/metallic.) Organic pads emit low amounts of dust and are typically quiet. Although they work great when cold, organic don’t work too well when they get hot. Ceramic compound pads are a great choice for added performance without the extra dust and noise. These are a great middle ground. Semi-metallic or metallic pads are what sports cars and racecars are usually equipped with. They offer the same cold bite as organic pads, but bit better than any at high temperatures. Drawbacks? More dust, more noise.
Rotors
The entry-level upgrade usually consists of slotted, dimpled or drilled rotors. This will help dissipate heat for better braking. Lately, manufactures have been offering dimpled rotors as drilled. Although they have better cooling, they have a higher chance of cracking. For a better upgrade but at more money, you can choose a directional vane between the rotor surfaces. Higher-end brands offer rotors with vans that are curved to help increase airflow and cooling inside the rotor. Rotors can also be heavy. To reduce the heavy rotating mass, some two-piece rotors will come with a lightweight aluminum hub hat.
Brake Lines
To increase pedal feel, stainless steel lines are a great upgrade from the factory ones. Even though some factory brake lines come with an inner steel lining, aftermarket ones have a heavier duty steel mesh. This lining makes the lines act more like hard lines, keeping the flex and expansion down to a minimum. When shopping for lines, some characteristics to look for are plastic covered lines for higher dirt protection and swivel ends for ease of installation.
Calipers
Aftermarket calipers can come with anything from four to a ridiculous 12 pistons. Having more pistons will give you a better grab on the rotor, as well as better pedal modulation. Aluminum calibers also help to reduce unsprung weight and more even pad wear because factory calipers can be very heavy. Monoblock calipers are just like how it sounds; one block- because they are made from one block of aluminum, and are less likely to flex, whereas twin-block calipers are two pieces that are bolted together, naturally. (SuperStreet)
Joe