ill let you know...
Silicone Brake Fluid
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
OK, please let me know how that turns out. I'm still waiting for my lines, I ordered them from Corvette Central and it turns out that the company that makes them are behind in production and won't have them sipped out till the 7th of this month
.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 6
From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
NO...a small amount of old fluid will not be a problem. Just flush the system again in a year or so.
I just poured in the silicone while draining the old
(20 years ago) and haven’t had any problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
Flushed my '76 system with alcohol, the installed DOT 5. All calipers are SS sleeved with 'O' ring pistons.
No more leakage after sitting for 6-8 months like with stock lip seals and DOT 3.
Brakes are fine after 4-5 years.
Got the 'O' ring set up from a place in FL, not a paid vendor here, so E-Mail if you want the name. Quite satisfied with their prices and service. They gave me full value for my old calipers, unlike some vendors I have read about.
No more leakage after sitting for 6-8 months like with stock lip seals and DOT 3.
Brakes are fine after 4-5 years.
Got the 'O' ring set up from a place in FL, not a paid vendor here, so E-Mail if you want the name. Quite satisfied with their prices and service. They gave me full value for my old calipers, unlike some vendors I have read about.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
I have never been so insecure that I had to brag about my brake fluid, oil, anti-freeze.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 582
Likes: 1
From: Madison Wisconsin
This argument between silicone and DOT 4 is ridiculous silicone is fine. I replaced my brake system ( lines, calipers, master cyl ) and used silicone. The pedal feels fine, I have manual brakes and I was surprised how good the pedal felt. The cost difference between high end racing DOT 4 and silicone is minimal. Considering the cost of my paint job it's a plus that I don't have to worry about spilling on the fender if I am not careful. And the fact that the car sits for long periods I don't have to worry about moisture accumulating in the brake system. All things to considered.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
This argument between silicone and DOT 4 is ridiculous silicone is fine. I replaced my brake system ( lines, calipers, master cyl ) and used silicone. The pedal feels fine, I have manual brakes and I was surprised how good the pedal felt. The cost difference between high end racing DOT 4 and silicone is minimal. Considering the cost of my paint job it's a plus that I don't have to worry about spilling on the fender if I am not careful. And the fact that the car sits for long periods I don't have to worry about moisture accumulating in the brake system. All things to considered.
I have manual brakes as well, and there is no difference in pedal feel or travel that I can tell. Pick what you want and go with, you'll be fine either way.Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
well, C3 brakes are great when they work, several posters previously have made the switch to silicone and had brake problems, and had to fight the question of weather it was the silicone or the brakes, besides the availability of it, if you have a brake problem somewhere not close to a stash of dot5. Also there's the fact that C3 brakes move very little fluid, i believe it's equal to 1 square cc to full application, unlike other brakes that move much more, and silicone is more compressible then dot 3/4 type of fluid, giving you softer brakes. Since many road racers use dot4 and good insulated calipers, i can think of no advantage to using dot5. imho, it's all down side in almost any C3, except for bragging rights, which is funny, because it actually gives you worse (more spongy) brakes.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
Flushed my '76 system with alcohol, the installed DOT 5. All calipers are SS sleeved with 'O' ring pistons.
No more leakage after sitting for 6-8 months like with stock lip seals and DOT 3.
Brakes are fine after 4-5 years.
Got the 'O' ring set up from a place in FL, not a paid vendor here, so E-Mail if you want the name. Quite satisfied with their prices and service. They gave me full value for my old calipers, unlike some vendors I have read about.
No more leakage after sitting for 6-8 months like with stock lip seals and DOT 3.
Brakes are fine after 4-5 years.
Got the 'O' ring set up from a place in FL, not a paid vendor here, so E-Mail if you want the name. Quite satisfied with their prices and service. They gave me full value for my old calipers, unlike some vendors I have read about.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
well, C3 brakes are great when they work, several posters previously have made the switch to silicone and had brake problems, and had to fight the question of weather it was the silicone or the brakes, besides the availability of it, if you have a brake problem somewhere not close to a stash of dot5. Also there's the fact that C3 brakes move very little fluid, i believe it's equal to 1 square cc to full application, unlike other brakes that move much more, and silicone is more compressible then dot 3/4 type of fluid, giving you softer brakes. Since many road racers use dot4 and good insulated calipers, i can think of no advantage to using dot5. imho, it's all down side in almost any C3, except for bragging rights, which is funny, because it actually gives you worse (more spongy) brakes.
Several posters in this thread have said they could not detect any difference between DOT 3 and DOT 5 as far as pedal feel. I carry a bottle of DOT 5 with me, but most auto stores stock it.
What is your fixation with bragging rights? This is your second post on this thread that mentions that. Bragging rights on brake fluid sounds a little "ricer" to me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
So you, personally, have no experience with DOT 5.
Several posters in this thread have said they could not detect any difference between DOT 3 and DOT 5 as far as pedal feel. I carry a bottle of DOT 5 with me, but most auto stores stock it.
What is your fixation with bragging rights? This is your second post on this thread that mentions that. Bragging rights on brake fluid sounds a little "ricer" to me.
Several posters in this thread have said they could not detect any difference between DOT 3 and DOT 5 as far as pedal feel. I carry a bottle of DOT 5 with me, but most auto stores stock it.
What is your fixation with bragging rights? This is your second post on this thread that mentions that. Bragging rights on brake fluid sounds a little "ricer" to me.
I restate my original opinion- DOT 5 is not good for anything but bragging rights. said it again- again- DOT 5 is not good for anything but bragging rights. more trouble then it's worth. don't have experience with it because dot4 is fine. heck, unless your gonna road race your 'Vette walmart dot3 is fine. I am going by 2 previous posters that had brake trouble, and couldn't figure it out, tried to switch back to dot3/4 and ended up with sludge in the braking system. I am of the of the opinion that it isn't worth the trouble. ie: no upside,, very big potential down side- lets review what you said " Several posters in this thread have said they could not detect any difference between DOT 3 and DOT 5 as far as pedal feel" -No upside according to you, very big potential down side according to me. Why use it?
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Frisco TX
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Put what ever you want into your car. I'm giving my educated opinion, does that bother you? this will be my 3rd post. there may be a 4th, 5th and 6th, if i deem it informative to the OP. If you don't please feel free to tune my posts out. just don't read them, your not required to
I restate my original opinion- DOT 5 is not good for anything but bragging rights. said it again- again- DOT 5 is not good for anything but bragging rights. more trouble then it's worth. don't have experience with it because dot4 is fine. heck, unless your gonna road race your 'Vette walmart dot3 is fine. I am going by 2 previous posters that had brake trouble, and couldn't figure it out, tried to switch back to dot3/4 and ended up with sludge in the braking system. I am of the of the opinion that it isn't worth the trouble. ie: no upside,, very big potential down side- lets review what you said " Several posters in this thread have said they could not detect any difference between DOT 3 and DOT 5 as far as pedal feel" -No upside according to you, very big potential down side according to me. Why use it?
I restate my original opinion- DOT 5 is not good for anything but bragging rights. said it again- again- DOT 5 is not good for anything but bragging rights. more trouble then it's worth. don't have experience with it because dot4 is fine. heck, unless your gonna road race your 'Vette walmart dot3 is fine. I am going by 2 previous posters that had brake trouble, and couldn't figure it out, tried to switch back to dot3/4 and ended up with sludge in the braking system. I am of the of the opinion that it isn't worth the trouble. ie: no upside,, very big potential down side- lets review what you said " Several posters in this thread have said they could not detect any difference between DOT 3 and DOT 5 as far as pedal feel" -No upside according to you, very big potential down side according to me. Why use it?
Guys, I have fought this brake system to a standstill, and it took some 11years to win the battle....
O rings, dot 5, no springs, Hydroboost, and I happened to ditch that pressure switch too.....new hoses....and stop on a dime with NO RUST in your brake system......
in there, after some years the initial lip seals went out, and so I noticed little pin head rust spots in the stainless calipers on bore end face....woopie doo.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
I've been using Castrol DOT5.1 ( glycol based ) for more than 6 years, and I flush and replace it every two years. But I think I could replace it only every three years. The problem is, with brake fluids you never know if they are "wet" or not.
I buy small bottles, and only when I need to replace the brake fluid.
I buy small bottles, and only when I need to replace the brake fluid.
Last edited by 73StreetRace; Jul 6, 2009 at 09:39 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Silicon brake fluid in my 68. Hard pedal.
SSBC aluminum calipers, SS brake lines and fittings, all new brake line brass distribution blocks.
About that hard pedal. I cheated. I gravity bled the brakes and got an acceptable hard pedal. Took the car to Guldstrand Motor Sports and had them re-bleed the brake lines. Hence the hard pedal.
Don't know how they did it. However, you're suppose to heat the silicon to a high temp (on a kitchen stove top), let it cool before installing. I didn't do that with my at home gravity bleeding session.
I used silicon from the Stainless Steel Brake Corporation.
SSBC aluminum calipers, SS brake lines and fittings, all new brake line brass distribution blocks.
About that hard pedal. I cheated. I gravity bled the brakes and got an acceptable hard pedal. Took the car to Guldstrand Motor Sports and had them re-bleed the brake lines. Hence the hard pedal.
Don't know how they did it. However, you're suppose to heat the silicon to a high temp (on a kitchen stove top), let it cool before installing. I didn't do that with my at home gravity bleeding session.
I used silicon from the Stainless Steel Brake Corporation.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 119
From: tempe Arizona
Just a bit of speculation on "how" it was done. Seeing the pedal feel is also related to the total piston area....if the SSBC calipers have less then the oe piston area that would do it. And knowing the D8 calipers are huge in area; I'm going to predict that's the case. Nothing wrong with this just that you have to work harder now to net the same rotor tq with a loss of clamping power. Net; firm pedal.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
From: Peoplez Republik (communist portland) Orygun
I found this interesting: http://www.duntovmotors.com/BrakeFluidSchool.htm
thx, that's a great link BTW