how is the position of the caliper determined on any given car? some cars it's on the rear of the rotor, some it's on the front, and some it's both on the rear and front... ive always been interested in why the placement of it matters.

 

I read the same on "Click and Clack Car Talk." It's simply what the engineers prefer... whatever will fit the suspension components better.

 

so it has nothing to do with performance? just how it fits in with the setup?

 

Well if you think about it, if it's in the front, it will get less dust but will need support from the bottom under heavy load. If it's in the back, it will need support from the top and will pick up all the dust. It's probably just suspension design.

 

I would have to agree with the parts/suspension design theory, but on most real high performance cars, they will usually be found on the rear, supposedly for better cooling, more air can get to the caliper in the rear position as opposed to tucked behind the wheel in the front position (mostly seen on RWD cars)