Thinking about switching to Castrol SRF...?'s
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Thinking about switching to Castrol SRF...?'s
I am an imtermediate/novice driver and plan to be signed off to the advanced run groups some time this season. I plan on doing 5-6 HPDEs this year.
In the past I have used ATE brake fluid and have been religious about having it done at the dealership with a Tech II bleed. The bleed runs me about $90 plus the $20 for 2 cans of fluid. I know that SRF is a lot more expensive and overkill for my ability level, but if I were to have it put in next week with a Tech II bleed, will it last me through October and 6 HPDEs?
I would like to just have the fluid put in and not have to worry about it, and only bleed if the brakes feel soft or fade. I think it would probably be a wash in expense, since I would not have to do as many fluid changes.
Am I dreaming here, or is it possible for me to save myself some time, hassle, and money by stepping up to SRF?
cj
In the past I have used ATE brake fluid and have been religious about having it done at the dealership with a Tech II bleed. The bleed runs me about $90 plus the $20 for 2 cans of fluid. I know that SRF is a lot more expensive and overkill for my ability level, but if I were to have it put in next week with a Tech II bleed, will it last me through October and 6 HPDEs?
I would like to just have the fluid put in and not have to worry about it, and only bleed if the brakes feel soft or fade. I think it would probably be a wash in expense, since I would not have to do as many fluid changes.
Am I dreaming here, or is it possible for me to save myself some time, hassle, and money by stepping up to SRF?
cj
#2
Race Director
Using the SRF all season should be fine. I spot bleed after each day, a pump or two from each caliper. I would not spend the money for the Tech II. The SRF has such a high wet boil that you could leave it in year round and the spot bleeds would keep it fresh.
#3
Pro
Thread Starter
Any other opinions on this?
cj
#5
Melting Slicks
One question on SRF. I've stayed away from it on my Z06 not because of price.
Someone said on the C5 Z06 that GM used magnesium in the master cylinder or some parts to further lighten weight. The story I heard is that Castrol SRF and magnesium do not go well together. This may be total BS but I'd like some verification from folks using it in Z06s. Or if this is just a complete fairy tale
I'll pay for SRF and only have to do a full bleed once a year. That's too easy a choice.
Someone said on the C5 Z06 that GM used magnesium in the master cylinder or some parts to further lighten weight. The story I heard is that Castrol SRF and magnesium do not go well together. This may be total BS but I'd like some verification from folks using it in Z06s. Or if this is just a complete fairy tale
I'll pay for SRF and only have to do a full bleed once a year. That's too easy a choice.
#7
Race Director
I don't think SRF is worth the money, as the rest of the system can't handle the heat even if the fluid can.
As for the techII bleed, I really think you are wasting your money. In my 10 years of racing C5/C6 Vettes, I've done EXACTLY 1 TechII bleed. It is only necessary if you KNOW you've gotten air into the ABS EBTCM
As for the techII bleed, I really think you are wasting your money. In my 10 years of racing C5/C6 Vettes, I've done EXACTLY 1 TechII bleed. It is only necessary if you KNOW you've gotten air into the ABS EBTCM
#8
Pro
Thread Starter
I will look into the motive bleeder.
cj
Last edited by cj68; 05-10-2007 at 04:55 PM.
#9
Pro
Thread Starter
I don't think SRF is worth the money, as the rest of the system can't handle the heat even if the fluid can.
As for the techII bleed, I really think you are wasting your money. In my 10 years of racing C5/C6 Vettes, I've done EXACTLY 1 TechII bleed. It is only necessary if you KNOW you've gotten air into the ABS EBTCM
As for the techII bleed, I really think you are wasting your money. In my 10 years of racing C5/C6 Vettes, I've done EXACTLY 1 TechII bleed. It is only necessary if you KNOW you've gotten air into the ABS EBTCM
cj
#10
Race Director
Good comments above. Does anyone else bleed a little after each track day? I sometimes find a small bubble, and dark colored fluid, just in the first pump and not every time nor each caliper.
I got speedbleeders for mine. My wife went on pedal duty strike.
I got speedbleeders for mine. My wife went on pedal duty strike.
#11
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jul 2004
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St. Jude Donor '10-'11
I read a bunch of stuff and determined that I needed to have a TechII flush when I went from DOT to DOT4 ... and so I did ... that was three years ago. (and I had Speedbleeders installed)
Since then I have bled the brakes A/R (before a track event if it's been a while) ... and always after a HPDE day. No issues.
I use Motul 600 RBF. (and I use it in my clutch MC, cycling using the "turkey baster" method ... )
Since then I have bled the brakes A/R (before a track event if it's been a while) ... and always after a HPDE day. No issues.
I use Motul 600 RBF. (and I use it in my clutch MC, cycling using the "turkey baster" method ... )
#13
Team Owner
#14
Team Owner
worth every penny for SRF. I could turn Motul into dark tea in one day. Nothing like it on the market and less work with it. Do you pricing by the ounce not the container.
#15
Pro
Thread Starter
John, how often do you find that you need to bleed with the SRF?
cj
#16
Team Owner
Ok, now you guys have me thinking that maybe I should go with the SRF... espescially if it means less work and better performance. If I go that route, should I get an initial Tech II flush done to get the old ATE out of the ABS? How often would I need to change the SRF... once at the beginning of every season?
John, how often do you find that you need to bleed with the SRF?
cj
John, how often do you find that you need to bleed with the SRF?
cj
Walk the pits of a race and look what people in AMLS run. It seemed to me 90% were SRF. I tried a bunch of others and they are not even a distant second. I couldn't find my SRF last year so I ran to local roundy round track supply place and bought Wilwood 610. It was all new and wasn't even close to SRF. When I came home from the event I found 3 liters of SRF tucked away.
#17
Race Director
Turning a fluid dark isn't the same thing as boiling it. Also, fluid absorbs moisture as it ages, which hurts the boiling point.
Bottom line, to ME, the OEM brakes simply can't dissipate enough heat to warrant SRF. It is great stuff, but AP600/ATE etc are very good, and more in line with the other components in the car. As a matter of fact, I run the synthetic Valvoline in most of my cars now, and simply do a quickly bleed every event.
Bottom line, to ME, the OEM brakes simply can't dissipate enough heat to warrant SRF. It is great stuff, but AP600/ATE etc are very good, and more in line with the other components in the car. As a matter of fact, I run the synthetic Valvoline in most of my cars now, and simply do a quickly bleed every event.
#18
Pro
Thread Starter
cj
#19
Turning a fluid dark isn't the same thing as boiling it. Also, fluid absorbs moisture as it ages, which hurts the boiling point.
Bottom line, to ME, the OEM brakes simply can't dissipate enough heat to warrant SRF. It is great stuff, but AP600/ATE etc are very good, and more in line with the other components in the car. As a matter of fact, I run the synthetic Valvoline in most of my cars now, and simply do a quickly bleed every event.
Bottom line, to ME, the OEM brakes simply can't dissipate enough heat to warrant SRF. It is great stuff, but AP600/ATE etc are very good, and more in line with the other components in the car. As a matter of fact, I run the synthetic Valvoline in most of my cars now, and simply do a quickly bleed every event.
I agree, SRF is great stuff but a little bit of overkill. I have raced on Wilwood EXP 600 for the last 2.5 years and have had no fluid problems yet. Flush once a year and bleed when changing pads. Of course living between Blackhawk Farms and Road America I end up changing pads almost every session. It is about half the price (per ounce) of the SRF and I like the smaller half liter bottles also.
Scott
#20
Team Owner
Brake Fluid Comparison Chart from Dougrippie.com web site
Brand Wet Boiling Point Dry Boiling Point
Castrol SRF 518°F 590°F
Motul RBF600 420°F 593°F
AP-600 410°F 572°F
ATE-Super Blue 392°F 536°F
Valvoline 333°F 513°F
Castrol LMA 311°F 446°F
Ford HD 290°F 550°F
Wilwood 570 284°F 570°F
PFC-Z rated 284°F 550°F
AP-550 284°F 550°F
Wilwood EXP is 417 wet from Wilwood site.
Brand Wet Boiling Point Dry Boiling Point
Castrol SRF 518°F 590°F
Motul RBF600 420°F 593°F
AP-600 410°F 572°F
ATE-Super Blue 392°F 536°F
Valvoline 333°F 513°F
Castrol LMA 311°F 446°F
Ford HD 290°F 550°F
Wilwood 570 284°F 570°F
PFC-Z rated 284°F 550°F
AP-550 284°F 550°F
Wilwood EXP is 417 wet from Wilwood site.
Last edited by John Shiels; 05-11-2007 at 01:57 AM.