The Camaro Club (UK)

has anyone ever tried silicone brake and/or clutch fluid?
since i am about to give the braking system on my first gen a good overhaul with new brake lines, hoses, master cylinder etc i thought this would be the time to make the change. It does not absorb water so it does not age like "ordinary" brake fluid and pistons are therefore less likely to stick and best of all, it is virtually inert so it will not make a mess of your nicely done paintjob in case it gets spilled. Allmost sounds to be too good to be true.
any thoughts please.
thanks,

kurt

I've been recommneded not to use it, but rather use a high performance synthetic DOT 4 fluid with high boiling point...

I used to Halfords ESP last summer when I did my Vette brake swap, but I've got some Motul RBF600 racing fluid to go in when I do the rear brake swap in couple of months...

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

I've been told that silicone fluid is good for daily drivers/cruising but is not suited for performance driving.

We used to use AP Racing 550 or 600

really good racing Fluid but horribly hydroscopic- very much NOT suitable for daily driving ie leaving in car for any length of time. Needed to be flushed after every race meeting (advantge is that it had a huge boiling temp would that be 550c- I don't know)
http://www.apracing.com/info/index.asp? ... e+Fluid_41

Anyway we now use Castrol SRF = Silicone Racing Fluid- which seems to worka s well as the AP stuff but is NOT hydroscopic -(so you leave it in car for a season!)
http://www.lkperformance.co.uk/Brake_Fl ... uid/219245

I would have thought that a good Dot 4 or 5 would be fine for fast road use
Last point NEVER mix Silicone with non silicone based brake fluids

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Kind Regards
TopCat
Secretary
Classic Camaro Club
Member of The Association of American Car Clubs UK
Email :tboles@strathnoon.co.uk Websites: http://www.classiccamaroclubuk.com and:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdhLJtR_ZY4

hi were abouts in northyorkshire are you because i live in malton near york

thanks for the replies.
Very mixed answers.
I will only be "cruising" and do not need the boiling point to be very high. The main reason i was interested in the silicone stuff was because it is not hydroscopic and because it does not affect paint when spilled.
Will have to have a good long think about this one.

to 70 z28: i have PM'ed you

Kurt

Last point before I go to bed...................

there is just NOTHING worse than boiled brake fluid in your car in extremis

especially if it is a large and heavy car like a Camaro used in anger

believe me I know......................!

_________________
Kind Regards
TopCat
Secretary
Classic Camaro Club
Member of The Association of American Car Clubs UK
Email :tboles@strathnoon.co.uk Websites: http://www.classiccamaroclubuk.com and:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdhLJtR_ZY4

There's a good reason brake fluid is hygroscopic.
Any system that uses hydraulic fluid will suffer from atmospheric water getting into the fluid by condensation. If the water didn't mix with the fluid it would fall to the lowest point in the system, that is, the brake cylinders and/or calipers, then the corrosion starts. Remember oil floats on water so water obviously sinks in oil.
This is why you need to change your brake fluid periodically. So stick to what the factory uses.