Brake fluid
#1
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Brake fluid
Which type of brake fluid is to be used in our cars, silicone or non silicone based products?
I'm thinking Motul RBF 600 or Motul 5.1
Ciao,
Johannes
I'm thinking Motul RBF 600 or Motul 5.1
Ciao,
Johannes
#2
Instructor
Johannes,
Use Castrol SRF. Does exactly what it says on the tin. I think it is NON Silicon that is used from factory, so be 100% sure, DO NOT use the wrong type.
Regards,
Steve
Use Castrol SRF. Does exactly what it says on the tin. I think it is NON Silicon that is used from factory, so be 100% sure, DO NOT use the wrong type.
Regards,
Steve
#3
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Has anybody used the ATE Super Blue or Type 200 fluid. Been using that on my E30 M3 and was wondering if that would be ok for the GT3. Is the Castrol just better than the ATE?
Thanks.
Chet
Thanks.
Chet
#5
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Stephen,
Excuse me for asking but I could not find any thread wheter to go silicone or not has been discussed/answered.
Excuse me for asking but I could not find any thread wheter to go silicone or not has been discussed/answered.
Last edited by Mr. C4; 09-27-2004 at 01:58 PM.
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#8
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To help clarify, Porsche requires DOT-4 (eg Castrol SRF, Motul 600, ATE Super Blue, etc.); Silicone fluids are all DOT-5. Don't use silicone/DOT-5. As for the DOT-4 fluids, there are a ton of posts here on that subject.
#9
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Originally Posted by Mr. C4
I could not find any thread wheter to go silicone or not has been discussed/answered.
Silicone is DOT5. This is usually used for show cars. Sometimes it is possible to convert a car to DOT5. Sometimes it isn't. I imagine some of our brothers with older Porsche have tried this. I have converted an old Fiat to DOT5 successfully and previously run other cars on it. But I know of no 996 GT3's that have been converted. The advantage is that silicone will not damage the paint if it spills (hence show cars with less leak-proof brake systems) and is more stable so can be left in longer. The disadvantage is that it is more compressable and might have a lower dry boiling point. There might also be a problem with the ABS. So you could try to use DOT5 if you wanted but you would be the guinny pig and I really don't think it is such a good idea.
Stephen
Last edited by FixedWing; 09-27-2004 at 04:45 PM.
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I don't get it.
People don't use Castrol SRF because is too expensive. $65.
They do expend a lot more on tires, gas, track fees, car wash, brake pads, alingment, etc.
People don't use Castrol SRF because is too expensive. $65.
They do expend a lot more on tires, gas, track fees, car wash, brake pads, alingment, etc.
#11
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Iknow guys that use ATE in their 996 Cup Cars and I can't imagine a street driven GT3 needing anything more than ATE or similar fluid. But if you track the car a lot the SRF might be good insurance.
I have used ATE on my race car and not had a problem with it boiling, but I do have good air ducting.
I have used ATE on my race car and not had a problem with it boiling, but I do have good air ducting.
#12
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Originally Posted by NJ-GT
I don't get it.
People don't use Castrol SRF because is too expensive. $65.
They do expend a lot more on tires, gas, track fees, car wash, brake pads, alingment, etc.
People don't use Castrol SRF because is too expensive. $65.
They do expend a lot more on tires, gas, track fees, car wash, brake pads, alingment, etc.
If you are going to leave the fluid in 6+ months then it is a completely different story. The racing fluids take up water very quickly -- more quickly than non-racing fluids. That's when SRF has a clear advantage and become worth the extra money.
And that's why I use SRF.
Stephen
One of the many tables listing brake fluid boiling points
#13
OK, so is there only one Castrol SRF? Technically, is it NOT racing fluid?
Porsche does NOT use it "from the factory", do they??
Does it need to be changed less frequently than other fluids?
If so, then it would seem to be the only logical choice for a high performance application, except one with very frequent full system bleedings, is that right?
Thanks,
Mark McKenzie
Porsche does NOT use it "from the factory", do they??
Does it need to be changed less frequently than other fluids?
If so, then it would seem to be the only logical choice for a high performance application, except one with very frequent full system bleedings, is that right?
Thanks,
Mark McKenzie
#14
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Originally Posted by redcar1
OK, so is there only one Castrol SRF? Technically, is it NOT racing fluid?
Does it need to be changed less frequently than other fluids?
If so, then it would seem to be the only logical choice for a high performance application, except one with very frequent full system bleedings, is that right?
Does it need to be changed less frequently than other fluids?
If so, then it would seem to be the only logical choice for a high performance application, except one with very frequent full system bleedings, is that right?
Having said that, if it ever does boil it is going to be a very big deal and will certainly get your attention.
Castrol SRF is considered a racing fluid but it is special. Castrol has come up with a way to prevent the water in the fluid from lowering the boiling point by as much as the other fluids. No one else can do this. And that's why they get to charge so much.
From the table I referenced above, Motul Racing 600 and SRF are almost identical on their dry boiling points (585/590 F). But their wet boiling points are quite different (421/518 F). And that is the beginning and the end of what SRF is about. Simply the difference in the wet boiling point.
Porsche does not use SRF for their street cars. Probably because of the cost. But SRF is DOT4 and Porsche specifies DOT4 in their cars so it does comply with their specifications. However, if you start telling service that you are using SRF then don't be surprised if they start thinking you are tracking your car.
Stephen
Recent Rennlist discussion of brake fluids
Castrol SRF technical info
Last edited by FixedWing; 09-27-2004 at 09:44 PM.
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Originally Posted by DCLee
Don't use ATE Blue, it's like cheap Kool-Aid. Use Castrol SRF or Motul 600. Do not use any silicone fluid, period.
Lee in D.C.
Lee in D.C.
Gary