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    Results 1 to 15 of 15
    1. #1
      Join Date
      Nov 2004
      Location
      San Antonio, Texas
      Posts
      218

      dot 5 silicone brake fluid?

      can i use dot 5 brake fluid in my 68 camaro for brakes and clutch?. my brake and clutch systems are completely new..calipers/lines/master/slave....i would hate to ruin my paint if regular brake fluid spilled on it. thanks
      scott

    2. #2
      Join Date
      Jun 2005
      Location
      Bentonville, AR
      Posts
      162
      I have been running it in my car for two years with no problem. As long as you have no DOT3 in the system, you should be fine. Not sure about the clutch.

    3. #3
      Join Date
      Nov 2004
      Location
      San Antonio, Texas
      Posts
      218
      cool. thanks

    4. #4
      Join Date
      Jun 2006
      Location
      Katy,TX
      Posts
      1,678
      Silicone fluid saved my paint job one time when I manually bled the system but forgot to put the MC cover back on! I've had no spongy pedal as some describe and have used the car for autocrossing and drag racing.

    5. #5
      Join Date
      Jun 2001
      Location
      Orlando, FL
      Posts
      10,603
      Country Flag: United States
      I'm surprised ... I did a lot of research and found *nobody* recommending DOT 5 fluid in anything other than a show car.

      No worries, huh?

      jp
      John Parsons

      UnRivaled Rides -- Modern upgrades for your ride.

      UnRivaled Rides recent project -- LS9-powered 69 Camaro

    6. #6
      Join Date
      Mar 2006
      Location
      st peters ,missouri
      Posts
      118
      I work on alot of postal trucks and they all have dot 5.We don't see many calipers or wheel cyls. leaking either for the amount of brakes they go thru.



    7. #7
      Join Date
      Sep 2004
      Posts
      185
      I've been running DOT 5 in my 69 Camaro for a couple years. i made the switch after not realizing the new chrome bar that holds the new chrome master cylinder cover on wasn't snug enough and the fluid splashed over the top on acceleration and ate all the fresh painted components in the engine compartment.

      My search on the subject which that since water is not absorbed by silicone, you have two problems which I think are the most critical.
      1) Corrosion, which may not be much concern (compared to stock components) in a stainless system with aluminum master and aluminum calipers. Anyhow, I found warnings of potential for pinhole leaks from a drop of water corroding it's way through some point in the system.
      2) The water works it's way to the lower points in the system where under heat turns to steam and loss of breaking power.

      Obviously, in the non-silcone brake fluids water in the system will lower the boiling point and cause problems, too. So, periodic bleeding is necessary no matter what you run. But since water is absorbed into the brake fluid, the drop in boiling point is not as drastic as having a drop of non absorbed water boiling at a much lower temperature.

      But with silicone brake fluid, there are a couple other issues. Air bubbles don't seam to work their way to the top as easily and I find it impossible to bleed without a power bleeder. Also, I can't help but wonder how easy it would be to push out any droplets of water that may have settled in the calipers when bleeding considering the exit is at the top.

      That said, I've run it for a while with no ill effects, though i haven't driven very hard on them. I'm usually upgrading and evloving the car more than I atually dirve it. :P

    8. #8
      Join Date
      Jun 2006
      Location
      Katy,TX
      Posts
      1,678
      Mine has been in for almost 15 years, with a few bleeds when I replace that "nicely" designed TA factory ratchet calipers.

    9. #9
      Join Date
      Aug 2006
      Location
      Hampton Roads, VA
      Posts
      678
      Country Flag: United States

      Dot 5

      I just received my Wilwood big brake kit, and it states specifically in the instructions to run Dot 5.

    10. #10
      Join Date
      Jun 2001
      Location
      Orlando, FL
      Posts
      10,603
      Country Flag: United States
      I just received my Wilwood big brake kit, and it states specifically in the instructions to run Dot 5.
      You sure? My Wilwood kit has the following instructions:

      NOTE: Silicone DOT 5 fluid is NOT recommended.

      Which kit are you using?

      jp
      John Parsons

      UnRivaled Rides -- Modern upgrades for your ride.

      UnRivaled Rides recent project -- LS9-powered 69 Camaro

    11. #11
      Join Date
      Jun 2001
      Location
      Orlando, FL
      Posts
      10,603
      Country Flag: United States
      From Wilwood's website:

      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° F, and at 212° 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. DOT 5 fluid is best suited for show car applications where its anti-corrosion and paint friendly characteristics are important.
      John Parsons

      UnRivaled Rides -- Modern upgrades for your ride.

      UnRivaled Rides recent project -- LS9-powered 69 Camaro

    12. #12
      Join Date
      Jun 2001
      Location
      Newbury Park, CA
      Posts
      5,821
      Country Flag: United States
      For a mild street application it might be fine, but for any type of performance environment a DOT3 or 4 should be used.

      I believe David Pozzi has seen several cars wreck due to the DOT 5 fluid being used in a track environment.

      How many performance oriented companies sell or use DOT 5?
      VaporWorx. We Give You Gas http://www.vaporworx.com

    13. #13
      Join Date
      Aug 2006
      Location
      Hampton Roads, VA
      Posts
      678
      Country Flag: United States

      Just Say NO to DOT 5

      I made an erroneous statement earlier, Wilwood DOES NOT recommend DOT 5!! Rather, they call for their 570 or better, which is a high-temp DOT 3 fluid.
      Sorry for the confusion.

      -Paul

    14. #14
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      NY
      Posts
      1,070
      If you are using the 3 o4 4 stuff and worried about paint problem try: Spraying area with soap and water before you put fluid in system. Also keep the sprayer near by if it leaks. I read trick somewhere and it does work. I sprayed fluid all over a firewall that was freshly painted. I had the soapy solution on there and it wiped right off. Tense couple of minutes but it's better than resanding and spraying.

    15. #15
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Las Vegas, NV
      Posts
      251
      We use Motul DOT4 brake fluid in the short track stock cars at the shop I work at. Good stuff, but it comes in small bottle and is expensive. You can generally find it at any motorcycle shop that sells performance parts.
      Doug
      67 Camaro - Project: Retribution



      "Honda: The most efficient means of converting gasoline into noise without the side effect of horsepower."





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