Welcome to your best resource for the best racing brake fluid. He will help you understand and select the most effective brake fluids for racing. In motorsports, the right brake fluid can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Keep reading for our carefully compiled guide that answers some of the most frequently asked questions about racing brake fluid. We’ll also look at the intricacies of brake fluid technology, its critical role in racing performance, and how it affects your vehicle’s braking system.
At the end of this guide, we’ll outline the 5 best racing brake fluids that will take the hassle out of research and decision making.
Let’s start with the basics…
What does brake fluid do?
Brake fluid and racing brake fluid are very important. This is brake fluid that helps activate the brakes and slow down the car. But, like any liquid, it needs to be checked regularly and changed from time to time.
For both everyday brake fluid and racing brake fluid, if the temperature gets too high, the driver will feel it through the brake pedal. Driving a car whose brake fluid has boiled due to too much heat can be a scary experience! If the fluid boils, liquid brake fluid turns into gas. A liquid is not compressible, but a gas is compressible, so if it boils, you will feel your heart sink like a spongy long pedal, known as “damping.” The same thing happens if there is water in the brake fluid, the water turns into steam (gas) with the same result. Therefore, the wet boiling point is very important. This is discussed below. This is less likely to happen during a normal commute, but it is still important to be aware of.
Having the correct fluid in your brake system will not only protect you from loss of braking performance, but also plays a vital role in providing the driver with consistent pedal feel, which is important for confidence and stability on the trail.
In motorsports, car components work much harder than on the road, especially the braking system. Due to higher speeds and repeated hard applications of the brakes, the temperature of all brake system components quickly rises to levels that easily exceed any you might encounter on your daily commute.
These temperatures can easily get out of control if you don’t install parts and components that can withstand these higher temperatures – for this reason, this applies not only to the brake system, such as pads and rotors, but also to the brake fluid. , a specially formulated racing brake fluid is required.
What kind of brake fluid do I need?
As part of the manufacturing process, brake fluids are formulated to meet specific standards set by relevant industry organizations. One of the most used standards is the DOT rating, which is set by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Ratings such as DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5 and DOT 5.1 are among the most widely used in the automotive industry. DOT5.1 is considered the highest specification. DOT 5.1 has strict viscosity standards at lower temperatures and also has a high boiling point. Therefore, in regions with cold climates, most modern cars often use DOT 5.1 brake fluid. The most common brake fluid is DOT 4. The boiling point of DOT4 is very similar to the boiling point of DOT5.1. The main difference is the viscosity at low temperatures. Today, cars are commonly equipped with ABS and DOT5.1 fluid is used because its viscosity helps the ABS perform consistently even in very cold climates.
For racing brake fluid, high boiling point is much more important than low temperature viscosity. A car used in cold motorsport conditions still gets very hot brakes, think of rally cars competing in the Finnish WRC or ice racing cars. For these reasons, most racing brake fluids are rated DOT4 or greater than DOT4, and some are not even rated because they are intended solely for motorsports.
Brake fluid boiling point
In contrast, silicone brake fluid does not absorb water, resulting in a more consistent pedal feel and braking system performance, but water can still get into the brake system as stated above, just not being attracted by the fluid.
dry boiling point is the temperature at which brake fluid will reach its boiling point when it’s new, straight from the bottle. This occurs before the liquid has absorbed water. This is very useful for comparing liquids.
wet boiling point measured with a liquid containing 3.7% water by volume. This boiling point is more significant in the real world, especially given the UK’s climate! Additionally, very few competitors change the fluid every time they compete.
If you are unsure of the operating temperature of your brake system, a brake pyrometer will prove invaluable. For those on a budget, there are useful brake temperature indicator bars (change color to show maximum temperature). This will help you choose the right type of liquid.
Best Racing Brake Fluid
There are many different types of brake fluid available on our website, each of which has its own characteristics. We’ve handpicked our best brake fluids to give you consistent pedal feel and less chance of losing braking performance throughout the race. So let’s get down to business.
Castrol React SRF
One of the most sought after racing brake fluids is Castrol SRF Racing Brake Fluid. It is the choice of many leading teams in all forms of top-level competition, including Formula 1, GT endurance racing and Touring cars. Indeed, wherever extreme brake temperatures occur
This racing brake fluid not only has very high dry boiling pointbut he also has extremely high wet boiling point, this is actually the highest we list. This is due to the advanced materials that have been used in Castrol’s unique and patented formulation. This means it will provide the best performance from the first press of the brake pedal and, importantly, will change very little over time.
- Dry boiling point: 320°C.
- Wet boiling point: 270°C.
- DOT rating: 3 and 4
The latest price for Castrol SRF Racing Brake Fluid can be found on our website.
Motul RBF660
High performance DOT 4 racing brake fluid. RBF660 racing brake fluid is produced by renowned lubricant manufacturer Motul. It has a very high dry boiling point, making it a superior racing brake fluid compared to many DOT 5 and DOT 5.1 equivalents available. Suitable for vehicles with all types of brake systems, including carbon and ceramic brakes.
- Dry boiling point: 325°C.
- Wet boiling point: 204°C.
- DOT rating: 4
You can see the latest prices for Motul RBF660 on the website.
AP Racing Radi-Kal R2
AP Racing, one of the largest players in the racing brake fluid market, offers a full line of brake fluids specifically formulated for motorsports. With a high dry boiling point, suitable for all rims: from standard rims to carbon and even ceramic rims. AP Racing Radi-Cal R2 racing brake fluid is a popular choice for many teams and drivers.
- Dry boiling point: 312°C.
- Wet boiling point: 204°C.
- DOT rating: 4
Click to view the price of AP Racing Radi-Cal R2 Fluid.
Millers Oils 320 Plus
Millers Oils 320 Plus Racing Brake Fluid from Millers Oils is effective on both the road and track and can withstand the demanding demands of motorsports. Used in many modern high-performance brake and clutch systems, this brake fluid has a high level of vapor resistance and provides a pleasant, consistent brake pedal feel.
- Dry boiling point: above 320°C.
- Wet boiling point: above 195°C.
- DOT rating: 4
If you’re looking for the latest price on Millers Oils 320 Plus brake fluid, check out Demon Tweeks.
Brembo HTC 64T
This is a high temperature racing brake fluid designed for the most extreme racing conditions. Its dry boiling point is 335 degrees Celsius, the highest listed on our list. Designed exclusively for competition, the Brembo HTC 64T provides the highest performance in all racing conditions and has been used in Formula 1, ALMS, DTM, WRC and BTCC. Not recommended for use in magnesium brake components.
- Dry boiling point: 335°C.
- Wet boiling point: 204°C.
- Exceeds DOT rating: 4
The latest Brembo price for the HTC 64T can be found on Demon Tweeks.
Eventually
So here’s the history of brake fluid and its importance in racing, along with a list of the 5 best racing brake fluids. Be sure to check out the range of racing brake fluids available on the Demon Tweeks website to learn more about other options. If you still have questions about which brake fluid or racing brake fluid is right for you, contact us!
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