On a 2016 Z07 track car , Is the stock brake fluid good for track days or should I change to a higher temp fluid?

 

Per the manual, they recommend replacing the fluid with a "qualified high performance brake fluid."

I would recommend Castrol SRF if you are doing any serious track days, although there are less expensive options.

 

Srf

 

SRF is the best IMO. However, I take my car to the track once or twice a year and replace the stock fluid with Motul 5.1 I run in the beginner class.

 

IMO if you are in beginner class I would leave it stock and not sweat it.

 

Brake fluid is cheap insurance, for $20 it is well worth it.

Besides, according to GM track prep guide: "Brake Fluid(DOT4 Recommended for Track/Competitive Driving. Replace existing brake fluid with a qualified high-performance brake fluid from a sealed container (brake fluid with a dry boiling point >534°F [279°C] is qualified)

 

SRF is good stuff for sure. ATE typ 2 has been just fine for me. I only did one flush last year. I think I'll do 2 or 3 this year but it's good and cost efficient.

 

Some "beginners" tend to ride the brakes more then the veterans. That being said I think it's critical to replace it for track use regardless of skill level. I would rather have brakes that I know will work in harsh conditions then have to wonder about it when the time comes.

Ant

 

Not many things more exciting than coming to the end of a straight and discovering you have no brakes.

 

Keep in mind guys, novice groups are significantly slower than intermediate and advanced. If you can boil the stock fluid, you're probably not in the novice group. People are out there in 10 year old sedans that weigh as much as the Z06 with OEM brakes and fluid.

Granted having a sticky tire like the sport cup 2's puts a lot more pressure on the brakes, but the car can easily run novice track days the from the factory.

 

Motul 600 Dot 5 fluid....

 

All the best,

Jared Royce
801.545.4215

 

I would not use Silicone-based (DOT 5) brake fluid in a car that's going to be used on the street. DOT 5 fluid, if left in the system for very long, can allow water to pool at the low spots in the system, which just happens to be behind the caliper pistons, which is where the fluid gets hottest. Water + heat = loss of brakes when you need them most. If you're going to use DOT 5, bleed the brakes frequently.

DOT 5 is not compatible with DOT 3 and 4, so if you're going to swap back and forth you need to make sure you thoroughly bleed the brakes at each swap. Not worth it.

There are high temp DOT 3 and 4 compatible fluids that are a better choice for a street car.

 

Anybody that is looking to run DOT 5 brake fluid, I would recommend a look into Motul DOT 5.1. That is what I run in my Vette all the time. I never have to change out for track use. Meyerweb, I am certain you already know the differences between them, but for all of those reading DOT 5.1 fluid is not silicone based like DOT 5. It is glycol based just like DOT 4, and also has a high wet and dry boiling point. It requires less change out frequency then Motul RBF 660. And, it's fully compatible with DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids. A win win win all the way around..

 

You're right about 5.1, of course. I can't understand WHY anyone approved calling that fluid 5.1, instead of 4.1, or 6, or anything to make it clear it's not a Silicone-based DOT 5 type fluid.

 

Sure makes you wonder what they were smokin that day lol. I think DOT5.1 is perfect for hard street use IMO..

 

I do the same with the 5.1

 

I have been using SRF for over 15 years. I use it everywhere. My race cars, my street cars. It is the greatest brake fluid... ever.

Silicone-based DOT 5 fluids are obsolete. I do not see or see any need to use them, anymore, since we have 5.1. Maybe someone can tell us why this assumption is not true.

The important parameters in the brake fluid specs are:

1. Wet boiling point. Remember that the fluid is not dry, the moment you open it. Moisture in the air, residual moisture in the brake lines, etc. will immediately contaminate the fluid. It is a (race) car not an operating room. A little moisture has a great effect....

2. Compressibility of the fluid and its ability to absorb air. All (brake) fluids are not perfect, they will compress under pressure, they will compress even more, if they absorb/dissolve air. DOT5 Silicone fluids are especially prone to this. They do not absorb water, but they aerate and absorb air! Brake pedal becomes spongy.

3. Viscosity when (very) cold. SRF feels viscous at -20C. A few brake applications 'warm' it up sufficiently where it work just fine. The racing brake pads (I run on the street), require some warming-up, also i.e. dragginf my foot on the brake for 100 yards.

4. Neutral pH. Acidic or basic fluids will destroy rubber seals found in brake master cylinders and ABS. Fluids will change Ph, as they stay in the brake system and get heated, come in contact with metals, etc.

SRF exceeds all of the above, except for being a little viscous...

Why not use SRF? Because, it is more expensive than a good bottle of wine. I have boiled brake fluid before. It is not very pleasant. ATE and Motul, nothing worked, till SRF (in that car). SRF never boiled!!!

Is $40 price difference a good insurance policy? You should change SRF once a year. Other fluids may require more frequent changes.

Getting fresh cold air to the brakes is the second most important factor to prevent the fluid from boiling and disks from warping.

I see new 5.1 fluids show up, but so far, there is nothing better than SRF.

Anton

 

I don't disagree with your statements. I use Motul DOT5.1 because it can go 2 years before change and its got high enough wet and dry boiling points for street application as far as what I need it for. Sure Castrol SRF is good stuff, but i just didn't feel I needed to do it this time around. Plus there are places that have my Motul fluid locally for me.

Ant

 

Any downsides to using the Motul DOT5.1 compared to the Motul RBF600? I'm not planning on tracking my car yet, but do plan on a fair amount of spirited driving. This includes a week long trip to the Tail of the Dragon in May. The car is also my daily driver all year long, including the winter.

Going to do a full brake fluid flush in preparing for my trip and I'm trying to figure out which brake fluid would be best for my use.