Brake Fluid Choice

Does Brembo have it owns recommended brake fluid?

 

I would suggest motul rbf 660 or castrol SRF. Just depends on how aggressive you are going to be on the brakes.

 

For street use where high temperatures are not an issue and water absorption is, I would recommend Castrol LMA (low moisture avidity). That is what I am currently running in my Mov'It ceramic brakes. Lower moisture avidity helps prevent corrosion forming on your pistons and clutch throw-out bearing flange from water absorbed by the brake fluid.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

What he says.....

The fancier, more expensive, brake fluids that tout higher (dry) boiling points usually do so but also seem to absorb more moisture... which has it's own problems. If you are changing fluid frequently then that's not an issue.

As Taz says, use the LMA for street use.

 

Does a Ferrari 360/430 use Dot 3, 4, or 5 brake fluid?

 

Living in Hawaii only counts for high temperatures to humans. The high temps Terry is talking about are those encountered by the brakes after repeated hard braking, as you would normally only get at a track event. I'm not saying it never happens in street driving, but in a place like Hawaii where it is humid almost 100% of the time, moisture absorption is more signficant for street driving than the high temp features of a more race/track oriented fluid. Avid track enthusiasts change their brake fluid before going to the track and immediately after coming home, and if they go to 2-3 track events a year or more doing this, that should be plenty of changing to keep the fluid relatively moisture-free. If you only change your fluid once a year, street fluid like LMA is probably a better choice. On a Ferrari, you should change your fluids (all of them) once a year regardless of mileage. Of course, it's your car and some people think some of the fluids don't need changing that often.

 

BTW, why are you getting a Brembo upgrade if you don't track the car? The stock brakes are more than adequate for street driving and even some track. The only reason to go to bigger brakes is to get more heat absorption capacity, so that they don't fade as readily under repeated heavy braking like you'd get at ... the track. Big brake kits do not necessarily stop the car any faster and perhaps in lighter driving may not stop as well as stock brakes, because they take longer to warm up to optimum temp. If you feel the need for more "grab" to the brakes, most likely what you need or want is simply a different pad compound that has more initial "bite," that is, more braking torque for a given amount of pedal pressure. I suggest you figure out what pads you are currently running then go from there to try a different pad.

 

N4S- I can answer that question. They look better. No brake dust from mine, either.

Taz
Terry Phillips
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I'm excited to see the images once you get them on...

 

Well, that pic is convincing enough! Nice!

 

1+

 

I got a set of SpotTech big brake kit from vividracing. Insane big and nice. I also do it for cosmetic reasons.
I know Rob!
I will install it this week after I install your headers and the Capristo!
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David- Those look great. I think I like the white Ferrari as well as the black on the red calipers. Would not have worked on my yellow calipers, though. I was stuck with black with some red trim.

Taz
Terry Phillips
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Check owners manual but it should be DOT 4. DOT 5 is not compatible with other fluids (unless you FULLY purge old fluids).

 

Dot 5 is silicone brake fluid and is specifically not recommended in Ferraris because of compressibility issues. Its main advantage is it does not absorb water. DOT 5.1 is similar to DOT 3 and 4, but with higher dry and wet boiling points. Ferrari recommends DOT 4 in the latest cars.

Taz
Terry Phillips