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Thread: Which brake fluid?

  1. #1

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    Which brake fluid?

    What fluid is the current recommendation?

    The last time I built a car (GTD40) I remember a lot of "discussion" over DOT numbers - some being more/less hygroscopic, higher boiling point etc. I remember that the DOT relates to boiling point, so I was using 5.1 because I tracked the car a lot, and it seemed the best at the time.

    But I've heard since then that it was a bunch of baloney, and that DOT 4 was just as good than 5.1, and better in some ways (like compressibility).

    What does everyone use today?
    James

    FFR33 #997 (Gen1 chassis, Gen2 body), license plate DRIVE IT says it all! build thread
    My build: 350SBC, TKO600, hardtop, no fenders/hood, 32 grill, 3 link, sway bars, 355/30r19
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  2. #2
    Administrator David Hodgkins's Avatar
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    I don't track my car, except very occasionally.

    I use dot 3. Works fine for canyon carving.


    FFR 5369 Pin Drive, IRS, Trigos, Torsen, Wilwoods, FMS BOSS 302 "B" cam , Mass-flo. CA SB100 (SPCN) Registered
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  3. #3

    Steve >> aka: GoDadGo
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    I've got DOT-4 in my daily driver and the MK-4; however, it is only because it is required over at NOLA Motorsports Park in order to play on their track.

    If this wasn't the case, I'd have no need for DOT-4 fluid.

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by GoDadGo View Post
    I've got DOT-4 in my daily driver and the MK-4; however, it is only because it is required over at NOLA Motorsports Park in order to play on their track.

    If this wasn't the case, I'd have no need for DOT-4 fluid.
    Thanks - that's still a great data point because other tracks may have similar requirements. Today I'm only considering 4 or above but I'd love to hear all opinions.
    James

    FFR33 #997 (Gen1 chassis, Gen2 body), license plate DRIVE IT says it all! build thread
    My build: 350SBC, TKO600, hardtop, no fenders/hood, 32 grill, 3 link, sway bars, 355/30r19
    Previous cars: GTD40, Cobra, tubeframe 55 Chevy, 66 Nova, 56 F100

  5. #5
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    A bunch of the decision goes to what you're going to use the car for. If it will see occasional autocrossing/track, heavy road course time, or just regular/spirited driving. I expect my car to be somewhere in the occasional to heavy track time and I did a TON of research on this(many hours over the course of several days). I ended up going with ATE DOT4 fluid for it's boiling point capabilities, etc...

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    It's rated way better than Wilwood's own fluid in their braking system. In fact the Wilwood has poor compatibility with other high quality fluids so if you change you can get some cross contamination.

    Again, if it's a daily driver I'd stick with a regular old DOT3 or 4 fluid from a decent brand. i.e: don't go with Farm and Fleet brand or something not intended for at least a passenger/sports car.

    -TJ

  6. #6
    Senior Member edwardb's Avatar
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    I've used Valvoline DOT 3 & 4 synthetic brake fluid in all my builds. Highly rated, available nearly everywhere, reasonably priced. Unless you have very specific requirements or rules, really no reason to get exotic. Never an issue for my mostly street driving. http://www.valvolinechemicals.com/pr...-4-brake-fluid.
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  7. #7
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    The table below is from the Pegasus catalog:

    Brake Fluid is rated by dry boiling point (for fluid fresh out of the bottle) and wet boiling point (for fluid saturated with moisture). If you bleed brakes frequently, the dry boiling point is most important. If you do not change your brake fluid often, the wet boiling point becomes more important. All of our fluids (except AP Radi-CAL R2) will mix with DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 fluids. None of the fluids we carry are compatible with DOT 5 (silicone) fluids.

    Racing Brake Fluid Comparison Chart
    Brand Name DOT
    Rating
    Dry
    Boiling
    Point
    Wet
    Boiling
    Point
    Compatible with
    Conventional
    Brake Fluids*
    Qty
    Fl Oz
    Part
    Number
    Motul RBF 660 4 617 399 Yes 16.9 MT660
    AP Radi-CAL R3
    (formerly PRF)
    4 608 399 Yes 16.9 3338-17oz
    Red Line RL-600 4 604 400 Yes 16 RL600
    Motul RBF 600 4 594 421 Yes 16.9 MT600
    AP Radi-CAL R2
    (formerly Super 600)
    n/a 594 399 * No * 16.9 3309-17oz
    Castrol SRF 4 590 518 Yes 33.8 3343-Liter
    Prospeed RS683 4 583 394 Yes 16.9 3340-201
    ATE Type 200 4 536 396 Yes 33.8 3327-Liter
    AP Radi-CAL R1
    (formerly AP 551)
    3 516 284 Yes 16.9 3305-17oz
    Castrol Advanced Performance
    (formerly GT-LMA)
    4 509
    (was 446)
    329 Yes 12 3308-12oz

    * None of the brake fluids we carry are silicone-based or compatible with silicone-based fluids.

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