Greetings,

I'm in the phase of getting my 2000 ready for a couple of track day and am wondering about which brake fluid to use to flush the system with prior to the event.

Any other suggestions are welcome as well.

Thanks

 

You definitely must replace your stock brake fluid with a high temperature fluid. Here is a link to a good article that will give you some insight to brake fluid under extreme contidions. There are numerous products available that you have to choose from.
Enjoy your day
http://www.rpmnet.com/techart/fluid.shtml

 

Yes you should replace the brake fluid. My two recommendations are Motul or Valvoline Synpower. Both have high boiling points.

Be prepared to need to replace your brake pads after the event. This is especially true if this is your first time. The rotors may also warp. They are not very expensive to replace. Just be careful to make sure you drive the car at a reduced pace for some time before coming to a complete stop. This allows everything to cool back down a bit.

If this is a multi day event with large amount of track time and you will be regularly hitting triple digit speeds then I would definitely do the following.

1. Bleed and replace brake fluid.
2. Replace powering steering fluid
3. Fresh oil with at least 1/2 qt over fill.
4. Fresh tires - Preferably not run flats
5. Fresh brake pads and spares.
6. Spare brake rotors - At least the fronts
7. Fresh air cleaner
8. Tools to perform all the above
9. I would also put Redline ATF in the Transmission and Gear Oil in the Diff. Have some spare ATF on hand as well.
10. Spare set of belts. Not uncommon to throw a belt.

I went through one set of tires, and had to replace the pads once during a two day event and the rotors after it at Texas World Speedway. You regularly saw speeds of over 140 MPH. My oil temp on the DIC would hit 280+.

High speed track events are hard on these cars and parts do break. Be sure you have a back up plan as to how toget you and the car home if something major breaks.

 

i use the Valvoline Synpower....

 

Gonbad's list is pretty good, although it is seldom necessary to replace a brake disc at the event if you stay with the stock pads. I go through stock pads like jelly beans, everyone will tell you to use an aftermarket pad but I prefer to run in street condition. My only change for the track is the extra 1/2 qt oil and tire pressure 36 front/34 rear COLD. The most important thing with the brake fluid, if you are using stock pads (they run cooler than race pads) is that the fluid be changed recently, preferably within a couple of days.

 

In addition to all of this.. never NEVER use your brakes to hold your position in the pits after a run on the track. Get yourself some inexpensive wheel chocks. Using the brakes to keep the car stopped will warp/crack your rotors from the localized heat.

I get my oil changed right before an event.. can't hurt. Also check all fluid levels including coolant, and bring some spare coolant/water mix.

 

I use Motul 600 and alternate with ATE Blue. They blue is great because you can see the new fluid when is changes to blue or when the Motul goes in amber.

Also don't put your e-brake on after your on track session.

 

Another possibility is the Ford Hi Performance brake fluid. It is a DOT 3 so there should be no warranty issues, and looks about the same as the GM stuff. It's "only" a DOT 3 because of the wet boiling point but the dry boiling point is right up there with the racing fluids. The trick is to flush the system just a couple of days before hitting the track.
Another "stealth" possibilty would be ATE Gold, which is the same as the ATE Blue except for color. But can anyone tell me if the ATE Gold is really the same color as ordinary GM?

 

Great information, I'm in the process of changing the brake fluid, as well as painting the calipers. Just painting the calipers should get me an extra 10 to 20 mph due to the reduced drag, correct?

 

He is actually prepping for 2 days of Road Course Racing. He will spend over 5 hours on the track. If your car is not in good shape it may not make it. ;)

vetterdstr :cheers: