What is the purpose of having the brake caliper on either the front or the rear of the rotor? Does it matter?

 

no answer, but I too was wondering about this the other day...

 

It doesn't matter, other than packaging or possibly cooling if ducts are present.

 

ever seen touring cars setup with 4-pot calipers on both sides of the disc?

SERIOUS clamping ability plus a better balance on suspension components!

so - no reason for which side...

t..

 

The only issue related to braking would be for cooling purposes. So it's dependent on fender & wheel setup, as well as any ducting that may be present.

Personally, I like seeing the caliper's (front & rear) mounted toward the center of the vehicle. The goal, of course, to move as much weight as possible toward the center of the vehicle, and lessening the moment of inertia. I'm sure the difference is negligible, but nevertheless, every little bit counts - and I like seeing tiny things like that taken into account.