Team Camaro Tech banner
1 - 9 of 9 Posts

sugiyamashig

· Registered
Joined
·
5 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Anyone used DOT 5 silicone on a new system. Factory front disc's and rear drums. All factory replacement parts (new).
Any issues or complaints???
I have used before on another restoration and liked because of the no paint damage from an unnoticed leak.
Thx
 
Anyone used DOT 5 silicone on a new system. Factory front disc's and rear drums. All factory replacement parts (new).
Any issues or complaints???
I have used before on another restoration and liked because of the no paint damage from an unnoticed leak.
Thx
Had it on my 1967 rs with no issues. Started with rebuilt 4 piston calipers in front and retro new rear disk brake componets plus all new cylinder's and lines. Never had any issues, and I had very good stopping. Just labeled top of master cylinder that it was dot 5
 
No issues in mine. Was in car when I bought it and stayed with it after I went to better brakes. My buddy who is into nascar building, said in street car we don’t get brakes hot enough to burn the water out of it.(condensation)
So it will rust some internals at some point if I don’t cycle in new fluid every so often.
 
Just a little more reading.

"Due to the extreme operating temperatures of a high-performance brake system, standard off-the-shelf brake fluids are not recommended. Of critical importance in determining a fluids ability to handle high temperature applications is the Dry Boiling Point and compressibility.

The Dry Boiling Point is the temperature at which a brake fluid will boil in its virgin non-contaminated state. The highest temperature Dry Boiling Point available in a DOT 3 fluid is 572 degrees F.
The Wet Boiling Point is the temperature a brake fluid will boil after it has been fully saturated with moisture. The DOT 3 requirement for wet boiling point is a minimum temperature of 284 degrees F.

There are many ways for moisture to enter your brake system. Condensation from regular use, washing the vehicle and humidity are the most common, with little hope of prevention. Glycol based DOT 3 & 4 fluids are hygroscopic; they absorb brake system moisture, and over time the boiling point is gradually reduced.

Wilwood does not recommend using DOT 5 fluid in any racing applications. DOT 5 fluid is not hygroscopic, so as moisture enters the system, it is not absorbed by the fluid, and results in beads of moisture moving through the brake line, collecting in the calipers. It is not uncommon to have caliper temperatures exceed 200 degrees F, and at 212 degrees F, this collected moisture will boil causing vapor lock and system failure. Additionally, DOT 5 fluid is highly compressible due to aeration and foaming under normal braking conditions, providing a spongy brake feel."
 
Safe to say then only use DOT 3 or 4?

The primary differences between the two include the following: DOT 3 brake fluid will absorb less water than DOT 4 from the air over time, meaning you'll need to have your fluid changed less frequently. DOT 4 brake fluid has higher dry and wet boiling points, making it safer for higher temperatures.
 
Probably catch a little heat for this one but... I never bought into the DOT5 fluid.

I have never had any type of failure related to brake fluid, DOT3 or DOT4.
I just installed Wilwood disc on my 67 Camaro, I did use the ridiculously overpriced Wilwood fluid... it is DOT4.
Historically, the only time I ever change/flush the brake fluid is if I break the system open, but I have one of those Mighty evac extractor pumps and the last time I did brakes on my F350 I did hook it up and pull new fluid in the system, it is a 2002 truck and fluid was nearly 20 years old.
 
1 - 9 of 9 Posts