Best performance brake fluid choice?

[phazed]

I have used Halfords Racing brake fluid for the last ten years in both my chims successfully with absolutely no downsides at all. The cars have been on countless TDs and sprints with never a fade or boil.

Unfortunately they don't make it any more.

Choices, choices?

I would like a quality Dot 4 fluid suitable for the odd TD or sprint.

Any recommendations?

[QBee]

Ask Mat Smith what he recommends - I think he will recommend a high temperature dot 4

[anonymous-user]

A little expensive, but cheaper than body work, Castrol SRF. Racing, track days, sprints, hill climbs and road use. Never an issue with fluid.

[wseed]

When I searched lots of the recommendations where for for "ATE Super Blue" which has been superseded by "ATE Super Racing Brake Fluid DOT 4" as the blue colour prevented it meeting the DOT4 standard. Reading up on it it has a higher temp range than many of the DOT5 fluids.

[phillpot]

Castrol React performance dot 4...... clicky

[gruffalo]

Carbon Lorraine DOT4 fluid has about the highest dry boiling point I have found, doesn't absorb much water and has never boiled on me where most others have.

Available mail order normally delivered next day when I have ordered it directly.

Email Paul at [e-mail]

Edited by gruffalo on Sunday 7th January 22:57

[jesfirth]

Mogul rbf660 never boils or fades and has a very high dry boiling point

[jesfirth]

Bloody autocorrect its motul.

[mk1fan]

wseed said:

When I searched lots of the recommendations where for for "ATE Super Blue" which has been superseded by "ATE Super Racing Brake Fluid DOT 4" as the blue colour prevented it meeting the DOT4 standard. Reading up on it it has a higher temp range than many of the DOT5 fluids.

I pressume you meant DOT5.1 rather than DOT5. For future readers, DOT5 is an entirely different type of fluid and is not suitable for most car braking systems.

Peter, have you not considered just using DOT5.1?

[phazed]

mk1fan said:

Peter, have you not considered just using DOT5.1?

No, I don't really know anything about 5.1. Any advantages?

I do remember reading some time ago that there is nothing wrong with Dot 4 and it may be better for our systems?

Otherwise, thank you for recommendations guys, I will be looking into this later today.

[gruffalo]

phazed said:

mk1fan said:

Peter, have you not considered just using DOT5.1?

No, I don't really know anything about 5.1. Any advantages?

I do remember reading some time ago that there is nothing wrong with Dot 4 and it may be better for our systems?

Otherwise, thank you for recommendations guys, I will be looking into this later today.

On the whole DOT 5.1 fluid has no advantage over DOT 4. Boiling point is no higher, circa 250 Celsius where as a racing spec DOT 4 nearer to 325 Celsius.

[phazed]

gruffalo said:

On the whole DOT 5.1 fluid has no advantage over DOT 4. Boiling point is no higher, circa 250 Celsius where as a racing spec DOT 4 nearer to 325 Celsius.

I thought I remembered some advantage of the higher spec Dot 4. Thanks.

[wseed]

mk1fan said:

I pressume you meant DOT5.1 rather than DOT5. For future readers, DOT5 is an entirely different type of fluid and is not suitable for most car braking systems.

Thanks for clarifying I just meant generically it had a spec that exceeded the temp range of the later standards both 5 and 5.1 I recall reading at the time that 4 and 5.1 are both Glycol based and can be mixed but 5 isn't and can't be.

[QBee]

As far as I remember dot 5.1, which I used for a while, has the disadvantage of being rather hygroscopic, so needs regular changes. i think I am on high temp dot 4 now.

[jesfirth]

Dot 5.1 can eat seals it's supposed to be pretty corrosive so avoid it.

[gruffalo]

phazed said:

gruffalo said:

On the whole DOT 5.1 fluid has no advantage over DOT 4. Boiling point is no higher, circa 250 Celsius where as a racing spec DOT 4 nearer to 325 Celsius.

I thought I remembered some advantage of the higher spec Dot 4. Thanks.

I believe 5.1 is more hydroscopic absorbing water more readily with no gain on temp range.

Higher spec DOT 4 has a higher boiling point and absorbs less water, I get two years out of mine between changes and a long brake peddle just doesn't happen anymore.

I have used both Motul 660 and CL both boil at over 300 Celsius both not had a problem with.

[Sardonicus]

jesfirth said:

Dot 5.1 can eat seals it's supposed to be pretty corrosive so avoid it.

News to me I think your referring to DOT 5 or silicone fluid , have used branded DOT 5.1 in many vehicles for years inc super bikes

[TwinKam]

DOT5 isn't corrosive, the beauty of it is that you can spill it all over your paintwork, even celly, and it won't leave a mark. I've used it in rally cars in the past, and currently in my Buell (Hardly Ableson have used it in all their bikes for years)
I've never heard of it rotting rubber seals, but it's not wise to mix it with any other type of fluid as the result is a bit sludgy

[gruffalo]

Sardonicus said:

ews to me I think your referring to DOT 5 or silicone fluid , have used branded DOT 5.1 in many vehicles for years inc super bikes

That table is a bit generic as many DOT 4 fluids have a boiling point well over 300.

[Sardonicus]

gruffalo said:

Sardonicus said:

ews to me I think your referring to DOT 5 or silicone fluid , have used branded DOT 5.1 in many vehicles for years inc super bikes

That table is a bit generic as many DOT 4 fluids have a boiling point well over 300.

Thats my point comments concerning 5.1 being inferior (moisture absorption etc) to Dot 4 are a little generic too