I know it comes in the new Vette's, but I've heard some negative things about it. I've heard that it has a tendancy to make your brakes fade quickly, but it also doesn't absorb water or eat paint which would help save my freshly painted engine compartment. What do you guys think?

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Riccioli Performance Motorworks

--RPM Racing--

Getting there.....383 with Super Ram, Bosch 24# SVO's, MSD, Edelbrock 58 mm TB, 700R4 tranny, Eibach springs, Koni 12 way adjustable shocks and struts, and more!! Now let's pray it runs when it's all back together!!!!

 

i thought u could only use it for high performance breaks that require it. personaly i use dot 4.

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88' GTA 350 MODS---> air foil, K&N, Shift Kit, 180* therm, TB bypass

 

Dot 5 is a silicon based brake fluid. It's not compatible with the mineral Dot 3 or 4. You need a brake system that's rubber seals are compatible with dot 5. The majority of all motorbikes for at least the last 15 years have all used Dot 5.

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Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block

Best ET on a time slip: 11.242 altitude corrected to 10.89
Best MPH on a time slip: 121.52 altitude corrected to 125.89
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 497.9
Best 60 foot: 1.546

Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

 

I'm looking more for info about my car.....not motorbikes, but thanks anyway. Anyone else??

 

As Stephen said, it's silicon based and not compatible with the other ones.

What I do know about it is that you should replace all rubber with new (never heard of needing a special rubber though) and completely flush everything else. Problem is that most flushing will not remove all the old fluid.

What most Antique restorer are doing is putting in new lines, and taking everything apart to clean, and rebuilding wheel cylinders and calipers as well as M/C's, and replacing prop valves to ensure that the DOT 5 does not come into contact with any of the older fluid.

Now, is it worth it? IMO no, not on a car that see's some use, maybe for a resto project where you're starting from ground zero, or in the case of the Vettes, brand new.

 

i used dot 5 in a martin brake system i ran on my karts. it's very good for it's intended application. i have also used it in a corvett i converted to stainless calipers with good results. for the typical thirdgen or any car i'd use dot 4.

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM

 

I've been using Dot5 in my Corvette for about 5 years. It's pretty popular with the classic Vette crowd because, as mentioned, it's not hydroscopic(doesn't absorb water or moisure) like conventional brake fluid. The reduces corrosion in the brake system.

Small amounts of residual Dot3 or Dot4 will not cause a problem when Dot 5 is used. While it is true the two types of brake fluid don't mix(kinda like oil and vinegar), it won't cause any real problems. The only problem it does cause it that it partially defeats the purpose of using Dot 5. Since Dot 3/4 is heavier than Dot 5, they tend to settle at the lowest point in the brake system, usually in the calipers. Since one of the benefits of Dot 5 is reduction of corrosion, you can see how it would lessen the benefits of Dot 5.

Dot 5 does have a higher boiling point than either Dot 3 or 4, so it's less susceptible to boiling and the subsequent brake fade. However, Dot 5 is slightly compressible under some circumstances, so brake feel my be slightly softer than usual, but nothing of significance.

You do not have to replace any brake lines or hoses. However, it is always a good idea to replace the rubber flex hoses, since most of our cars are getting up there in years, it's just a good idea. Most people who want to flush out their brake systems use denatured alcohol. You can get it at any hardware store or home improvement store. Just bleed your brakes, and before the master cylinder empties, as the alcohol to the MC, and contiune to bleed it until you get all alcohol. Then do the same, but add the Dot 5.

It's also nice to know your brake fluid won't damage your nice paint job or your detailed chassis, like Dot 3/4.

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1982 Corvette
Tremec TKO
<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/monty_williams" TARGET=_blank>SBC 427 650hp/580tq
</A>

[This message has been edited by Monty (edited August 10, 2001).]