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[erniezap]

I am looking for opinions regarding the benefits of replacing the stock rotors and/or calipers.  I understand the improved feel, less fade, but all of the manufacturers claim shorter stopping distances, better braking, etc.  To me, the determining factor for stopping distance would be tire traction since I can lock them up with the stock set up.  I don't understand how there could be an improvement in stopping distance since tire traction hasn't changed.

[Gecko]

It can be accompished with how the brakes "bite" on initial application and how the lever "feels".  Okay, you can apply enough force on the stock system to reach maximum tire traction.  It takes a certain amount of pressure on the grip to do that, and it takes a certain amount of time to develop that pressure and a certain amount of control to keep it right at that point of maximum traction.  Until they get clamped down not that much slowing takes place.  If the pads create greater friction when they are not completely clamped, when they first contact the rotor, there is greater deceleration when it has greatest effect on stopping distance - when you are going the fastest.  At 60 mph you are going 88 feet per second, so cutting even an eighth of a second off the time means the brakes are doing their thing about ten feet sooner.  That helps regardless of whether you have ABS or not.  If it is non-ABS, being able to maintain the brakes right at the point where lock-up is imminent means you get maximum deceleration.  If you have to let off and re-apply to keep them under control some of that time is spent at less than maximum.  Add to that the effects of multiple applications - where stock brakes often fall short - and new rotors and pads can decrease stopping distance.

[Keats]

Brake/rotor combinations all fade, just at  different rates.

Any time lapse when not at maximum braking capability equals longer stopping distance.

on ABS systems in theory maximum braking is 100% of the time with a fist / foot full of brake.

The different rotor/brake combinations would be theoretically less influential in stopping distances.

assuming brake fade was still overcome by pressure.

[DavidB]

A skidding tire doesnt have maxium traction. The same way a spinning tire on a dragster doesn`t when it breaks draction half way down a track. A tire sliding on pavement builds a lot of gas preshure and heat between the tire and the road ,hot enough to bring the heated tar to the pavement surface and actually letting you slide further.
Evever wonder where skid marks come from, its the melted tar out of the road. the tire tread just grinds off.  pv=nrt