I am looking to change over to full synthetic power steering fluid & brake fluid in my Z.I have upgraded the steering with matching AGR Performance power steering gear and pump and am currently using the recommended Valvoline SynPower power steering fluid (a synthetic blend)..but want to go full synthetic.The brakes I have also upgraded to 1LE fronts with the '89 and later PBR rear disks along with Earl's braided stainless lines..new master and prop valve.Right now I have regular DOT 3 brake fluid in it but in a few weeks when I put the car back on the road and do all the spring maintenance/fluid changes I want to switch over these two systems to full synthetic fluids as the rest of the car already is.I did searches on the board and found that Castrol and Valvoline make synthetic brake fluids..who else?Who prefers what?Upon searching on the net I found that Red Line and Royal Purple make synthetic power steering fluid..anyone else?What I am looking for is manufacturers of these fluids in synthetic..and possibly some pros and cons of them to help me decide which way too go?!

 

here is a list of brake fluids and their boiling points...

Dry Boiling Point Wet Boiling Point Viscosity @ -40°C Viscosity @ 100°C
DOT 2 374°F N/A
DOT 3 401°F 284°F
DOT 4 446°F 311°F 1800 max 1.5 min
DOT 5 (silicone) 500°F 356°F
DOT 5.1 (non - silicone) 500°F 356°F
Castrol LMA DOT 3/4 446°F 311°F N/A N/A
Ford Heavy Duty DOT 3 550°F 290°F N/A N/A
ATE Super Blue Racing 536°F 392°F N/A N/A
ATE TYP 200 536°F 392°F N/A N/A
Motul Racing RBF 600 593°F 420°F N/A N/A
Motul DOT 5.1 N/A 365°F N/A N/A
Motul DOT 4 473°F 316°F N/A N/A
Motul DOT 3 462°F N/A N/A N/A
Prospeed GS610 610°F 421°F 1525 2.5
Castrol SRF 590°F 518°F N/A N/A
Performance Friction 550°F 284°F N/A N/A
AP551 527°F 302°F N/A N/A
AP600
(not DOT approved and not compatible with any other fluids)
572°F 410°F N/A N/A
Ferodo DOT 4 446°F 311°F N/A N/A
Ferodo DOT 5.1 500°F 356°F N/A N/A
Wilwood 570 570°F N/A N/A N/A


of course the SRF is about the best you can buy, but the price will give you a heart attack. ATE superblue is a good one, and is abotu $10/liter, vs the $80 for SRF.

also what is your entended use, valvoline synpower is a great dry fluid, but lacks a good wet boililng point. if you are using this car in a way that you are going ot be bleeding the brakes regularly, that would be another option. if this is a street car, that you are not going to be bleeding the brakes all the time, i would stick to a fluid with a descent web boiling point.

i have no good advice for PS fluid though

 

It's a street car with the occasional strip visits.Otherwise just a weekend summer time toy that gets driven aggresively.Not looking for or need a "race" fluid..just a good synthetic every day fluid that will get flushed every spring maintenance when the car starts to get driven regulary again.I am leaning towards the Red Line steering fluid cause I can get it locally..pretty much what I am looking to do with the brake fluid..have to hit Autozone tonight to see what they carry.Thanks so far..great info.keep em coming.

 

why are you wanting synthetic brake fluid? for what you use your car for, it would seem you do not need a superhigh boiling point fluid. unlike some other apps, there are zero HP free'd up from brake fluid. you are probably fine with DOT3 for what you are using the car for.

 

I want to use synthetic because it in theory should be better for the car when it sits in the winter months being as it is less hydroscopic if I read correctly from my searches?As well as performing better all around.I am not looking for horsepower from brake fluid..give me some credit.I have been playing with cars for close to 15 years now...I know what makes horsepower..it isnt brake fluid..or K&N's.I am not into gimmicks.I thank you for your reply and for your help.

 

Ford Heavy Duty DOT 3 550°F 290°F N/A N/A




that is what you want.


brake fluid is unlike the other fluids in your car.... it attracts water.

you MUST change your brake fluid every couple of years... regardless of the brand you chose. if you want to maintain a high boiling point.

theres 3 things to look at with brake fluid.

• its dry boiling point... this is the temp it boils at when its fresh, with no water in it.
  
• its wet boiling point... this is the temp it boils at when its used/old with some water in it.
  
• how fast it attracts water.

if you get racing brake fluid, or even high performance stuff... it may have a very high inital boiling point... but attracts water quickly and must be changed often to maintain that high point.
not a problem in race cars... but one in street cars.


breif history on why to use the ford stuff:

ford fuged up and got in a bind.. they had brake lines on several thousand cars they sold that were too close to the exhaust manifolds.
their solution was to make a fluid that maintained a high boiling point... even when used.. kind of a band-aid....

but its a very very good performance street fluid.... and easy to get.. just goto your local ford parts counter and ask for it...

its best to drive your camaro there and park it infront of the mustangs. :lala:

 

If your worried about your brake fluid accumulating water use dot5 with the silicone. Its not hygroscopic.

 

its also mushy and not ment for regular street cars.

NOT a good choice for a street or race car.




however, if you have a model T ford that you drive around the fairgrounds once a year, its a ok choice.

 

Im not sure what you mean by mushy because all it does is transfer force. It doesnt effect your pedal at all. It wold work fine in a street or race car because it has a high boiling point and doesnt abosorb water. The only catch is that you have to flush the system with alcohol before you use 5 in a car that used 3 or 4.