any benefit in changinf the fluid from the standard BMW DOT4 fluid for track days ?? the guy who tuend my engine said "use DOT5" but all the racing fluids in Demon Twonks seem to be DOT4 - i dont understand, i need to know what practical difference it makes rather than the waffle they put in the catalogue !!!
Also what about oil ?? the car came with standard castrol GTX in it. my first inclination is to change this for synthetic (although i run valvoline racing in the kit car and this always seems to be OK). is there any point in changing or again is it just a paper exercise ?? . i suppose something with a lower cold vicosity would give better protection - 10w 50 maybe ??
what do you guys use for brake and engine fluids ??
cheers
brake fluid & oil
Moderator: martauto
dot 5 is silicon based...shit if applied with normal mineral fluid as it gums up.
5.1 is mineral based, and has a slightly higher boiling point than 4.
same principles go for oil and brake fluid, just try make sure that both are at the least relatively fresh, and you have enough of each.
track days tend to boil fluid regardless of what you have if your running stock brakes, depending on the track as well.
i use a full sythentic, penzzoil 5w50. happy with it so far in the m20, no leaks and seems to like it. noisy though. i still somehow end up changing it all too reguarly haha.
5.1 is mineral based, and has a slightly higher boiling point than 4.
same principles go for oil and brake fluid, just try make sure that both are at the least relatively fresh, and you have enough of each.
track days tend to boil fluid regardless of what you have if your running stock brakes, depending on the track as well.
i use a full sythentic, penzzoil 5w50. happy with it so far in the m20, no leaks and seems to like it. noisy though. i still somehow end up changing it all too reguarly haha.
- it depends on the brake fluid boiling point irrespective of what else you have in the brake mechanicals.JungleGus wrote:track days tend to boil fluid regardless of what you have if your running stock brakes, depending on the track as well.
DOT numbers have little relevance for track purposes, as you saw from the DT catalogue. Boiling point is the critical parameter, over 300Ԛ°C is good.
Examples are Castrol SRF and Motul RBF 600.
Mintex 1155 are good for race use, others have tried Mintex 1166 and Pagids and seem happy with them. Not so good for road use.
I'm currently using Motul RBF 600 fluid, 1155 pads on ATE powerdisks, stock calipers and Goodridge hoses. Totally fade free and about as hard a brake pedal as you can get with otherwise stock E30 parts. The brakes get better as they warm up.
I could probably be braking a little harder but it works for me.
Engine oils - currently using Silkolene PRO S 10w-50 from the oilman - seems ok.
Last edited by calder on Thu Aug 18, 2005 12:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
i am running M3 brakes so that should help i guess. i am not a heavy braker usually although my previous track experience is in a lighter robin hood (seven style)
i have been lookign at ferrodo ds2500 - i guess you just find your favourite and stick with it.
who is the "oilman" ??
i have been lookign at ferrodo ds2500 - i guess you just find your favourite and stick with it.
who is the "oilman" ??
http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... opic&t=156
see here for oil advice in technical help
see here for oil advice in technical help
Brake Fluids - Castrol SRF is the best but expensive at around Ԛ£40/L, we used it all last season & now use Mintex Black & it's around Ԛ£22 / L but still nearly as good & highly recommended. We bleed them before every outing for safety reasons.
Alot of personal choice comes into Pads & you need to try them out & find one that you feel confidence in as that's what it's all about. I tried EBC & found them useless & also tried Mintex 1155's which were good & also 1166's which were better again. We now run F4r's & they're superb but very pricy.
As for Oil, we currently use Valvoline 5/50 & it's fine but we've been advised to change to 15/50 which we'll try next. We change the oil after 2 races & 2 qualifying sessions regardless & would recommend the same if doing trackdays, after every 2 to be safe.
Alot of personal choice comes into Pads & you need to try them out & find one that you feel confidence in as that's what it's all about. I tried EBC & found them useless & also tried Mintex 1155's which were good & also 1166's which were better again. We now run F4r's & they're superb but very pricy.
As for Oil, we currently use Valvoline 5/50 & it's fine but we've been advised to change to 15/50 which we'll try next. We change the oil after 2 races & 2 qualifying sessions regardless & would recommend the same if doing trackdays, after every 2 to be safe.
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cheers Dom. as your e30 is very close to mine in terms of spec (obviously yours is better of course !! 
) then it is always useful to get your advice.
slightly alarmed about the oil change frequency (and cost) - i run the robin hood pinto on valvoline racing and only change it once a year. only track it 2/3 times a year plus brisk driving on the road !
i have no idea what pads are in it at the moment but i know the brake fluid is BMW dot4 and oil jsut standard castrol GTX !!
do you always go for synthetic oil ??
Also - do you use optimax fuel and/or octane booster ??
) then it is always useful to get your advice.slightly alarmed about the oil change frequency (and cost) - i run the robin hood pinto on valvoline racing and only change it once a year. only track it 2/3 times a year plus brisk driving on the road !
i have no idea what pads are in it at the moment but i know the brake fluid is BMW dot4 and oil jsut standard castrol GTX !!
do you always go for synthetic oil ??
Also - do you use optimax fuel and/or octane booster ??
good to hear more beemers on the site doing trackdays.
i use dot 5 with braided hoses (goodridge) have had smoke coming from the wheel hubs they got so hot from hard work but work great. use ebc green and turbo groove discs. really good consistent braking.
as for oil just use your usual but change oil and filter before you go.
good luck
i use dot 5 with braided hoses (goodridge) have had smoke coming from the wheel hubs they got so hot from hard work but work great. use ebc green and turbo groove discs. really good consistent braking.
as for oil just use your usual but change oil and filter before you go.
good luck
yep always use Synthetic & i know the oil change frequency is scary but after2 races & 2 qualifying sessions it really ain't that clean anymore. A typical race is likened to putting 2,000 miles on the clock if i remember rightly so 2 qualifying & races is something like 8,000 miles use & that can be literally in 1 weekend, better to be safe than sorry.
We aslo always try to use Optimax where possible & have played with Octance boosters but never really seen much difference but only tried 1 sort so might experiment. I hear the Miller's is very good
We aslo always try to use Optimax where possible & have played with Octance boosters but never really seen much difference but only tried 1 sort so might experiment. I hear the Miller's is very good
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thanks to the "oilman" this is what i finally went with
oil : silkolene pro-R 15w-50
brake fluid : MOTUL RBF600 (312Ԛ°c boiling point)
gear oil : silkolene syn 5 (suitable for box & LSD)
the OILMAN is definitely "the daddy" when it comes to techie oil advice - thanks !!!
oil : silkolene pro-R 15w-50
brake fluid : MOTUL RBF600 (312Ԛ°c boiling point)
gear oil : silkolene syn 5 (suitable for box & LSD)
the OILMAN is definitely "the daddy" when it comes to techie oil advice - thanks !!!