Hi guys,

I didn't find any reference to brake fluid in the oil journals. Thought I'd just ask here...

Motul fluid has been suggested to me by my "wrench" as a good replacement for factory. Anyone have any thoughts on that? Other alternatives that might be worth looking at? Price is not really a factor here unless it's completely outrageous.

I tracked my car last fall and noticed no problems with my factory fluid/pad combo. However, as the car has sat through winter, the brakes feel a bit spongy to me. I think I'm imagining it though. In any case, fluid and pads are being replaced for my 30K interval next week. Thought I'd try to get some info. Tnx in advance. -- Charlie

 

Are you looking for information from an on-track perspective, or just street driving?

I've had zero issues with Valvoline Syntec DOT 4 fluid. It's about five bucks for a liter. cdelena posted a chart a while ago that lists various fluids' boiling points, and this stuff was right up there. I've also used ATE Super Blue with the same results.

Assuming your mechanic doesn't try to jack with you, and does a proper fluid flush job, you should be fine.

 

There are quite a few excellent brake fluids on the market designed for track use. They include: Motul, ATE Super Blue & 200, Ford HD, Valvoline Synpower, Ferodo, etc. These are available for around or under $10 per liter.

Castrol SRF is pretty outrageous at $70 per liter.

At least as important as the fluid itself is to make sure you bleed frequently (after every event or 2) and the fluid is changed regularly (about every 6 months or less).

 

Oh, excellent guys. I didn't know about bleeding the lines. Maybe that's why I perceive some mushyness since last year's track event -- perhaps some of the stock fluid boiled. Certainly possible.

Great! Thanks!

Oh, and Elistan, I was asking mostly about street use, although obviously I'm willing to track my car. Now I understand the issue.

 

Be careful with Valvoline Syntec as there is a regular version and a high performance version. If you want elevated boiling points you will need the high performance version.

 

^ Thanks, Chris. Maybe ask xviper to put your BF thread in the oil journals...

Best wishes!

 

I believe that the Valvoline product is named Synpower, not Syntec. And yes, be sure that it has the higher boiling point, somewhat over 500 deg. F.

 

Ah, yes, Synpower. Sorry about the typo. Valvoline's website only lists a single Synpower product - and it is indeed labled "High Performance" and has a 500F boiling point. Good stuff, IMO.

For what it's worth, BTW, Castrol says that SRF can have a max water content of 0.1%. No idea how that compares to other fluids...

 

ARRANGED BY DRY BOILING POINT:

DRY:401F -- WET:284F --- DOT3 MINIMUM (GLYCOL BASE)
DRY:446F -- WET:311F --- DOT4 MINIMUM (GLYCOL BASE)
DRY:500F -- WET:356F --- DOT5 MINIMUM (SILICONE BASE)
DRY:500F -- WET:356F --- DOT5.1 MINIMUM (GLYCOL BASE)
DRY:527F -- WET:302F --- AP RACING 551 ($12.95/0.5L OR 16.9 OZ)
DRY:527F -- WET:347F --- VALVOLINE SYNPOWER DOT3 & DOT4
DRY:536F -- WET:392F --- ATE SUPERBLUE/TYP200 ($9.95/1L)
DRY:550F -- WET:284F --- FORD HEAVY DUTY DOT 3 ($4/12 OZ)
DRY:570F -- WET:284F --- WILWOOD 570 ($5.65/12 OZ)
DRY:570F -- WET:284F --- PERFORMANCE Friction Z rated ($6.27/16 OZ)
DRY:590F -- WET:410F --- AP RACING 600 ($16.95/0.5L OR 16.9 OZ)
DRY:590F -- WET:518F --- CASTROL SRF ($69.00/1L 0R 33.8 OZ)
DRY:593F -- WET:420F --- MOTUL RBF600 ($12.95/0.5L OR 16.9 OZ)
DRY:601F -- WET:399F --- BREMBO LCF 600 PLUS ($26.75/0.5L OR 16.9 OZ)
DRY:610F -- WET:421F --- NEO SYNTHETICS SUPER DOT 610 ($11.95/12 OZ)
DRY:610F -- WET:421F --- PROSPEED GS610 ($39.95/16 OZ)
DRY:626F -- WET:417F --- WILWOOD EXP 600 ($16.95/0.5L 16.9 OZ)

ARRANGED BY WET BOILING POINT:

DRY:401F -- WET:284F --- DOT3 MINIMUM
DRY:570F -- WET:284F --- WILWOOD 570
DRY:570F -- WET:284F --- PERFORMANCE Friction Z rated
DRY:550F -- WET:284F --- FORD HEAVY DUTY DOT 3
DRY:527F -- WET:302F --- AP RACING 551
DRY:446F -- WET:311F --- DOT4 MINIMUM
DRY:527F -- WET:347F --- VALVOLINE SYNPOWER DOT3 & DOT4
DRY:500F -- WET:356F --- DOT5.1 MINIMUM (GLYCOL BASE)
DRY:500F -- WET:356F --- DOT5 MINIMUM (SILICONE BASE)
DRY:536F -- WET:392F --- ATE SUPERBLUE/TYP200
DRY:601F -- WET:399F --- BREMBO LCF 600 PLUS
DRY:590F -- WET:410F --- AP RACING 600
DRY:626F -- WET:417F --- WILWOOD EXP 600
DRY:593F -- WET:420F --- MOTUL RBF600
DRY:610F -- WET:421F --- NEO SYNTHETICS SUPER DOT 610
DRY:610F -- WET:421F --- PROSPEED GS610
DRY:590F -- WET:518F --- CASTROL SRF

 

I have been using the ATE Super blue then alternating to the ATE super gold, the color change makes it easier to know then the old fluid is pumped out.