Gen V Brake Fluid Swap

[Stealth]

As we all know Randy P. took issue with the brakes on an early Gen V. doing hot laps on a test. This may have been at Laguna Seca.

While I undestand that OEM is OEM, perhaps a simple swap of the Brake Fluid would solve any issues of fade, etc., at least for 95% of any amateur HPDE days, etc. For example, a typical swap will involve Castrol SRF (Dot 5?) for OEM brake fluid to avoid boiling the brake fluid. I realize that the TA has Brembo front Rotors for better cooling, etc. rather than the ACR sourced Stoptech rotors on the SRT and GTS, but this may just have been an issue which could be handled through a fluid swap.

Thoughts?

[ViperGeorge]

A fluid swap would help if he was doing enough laps to get the fluid hot enough to boil. Not sure he did. The other item to consider is pad material. The OEM pads are selected to minimize noise and dust while providing adequate stopping. On the track they fade because they exceed their thermal capacity. Either fluid or pads would help but pads would probably have a bigger impact sooner.

[Dusty1]

Dumb question because it probably has been answered, but does the Gen V have stainless lines. There was some dumb DOT rule preventing it for the Gen IV, if it doesn't that is the cheapest "performance upgrade" available.

[Stealth]

SS Lines and Castrol SRF are the first changes I make on a sportscar.

[VENOM V]

My guess is that Randy was experiencing hard-pedal fade, which would be the pads getting hot. This is where it doesn't stop as well but pedal remains firm. Boiling fluid would be a soft-pedal fade, which is much more dramatic. I've boiled fluid three times in Corvettes at Spring Mountain, that was some scary shit. Pedal just goes to the floor, I went from good braking to almost no brakes instantly.

A pad swap, stainless lines and Motul 600 or equivilent high temp brake fluid will do the trick, when paired with the Stoptech rotors. These Track Pack brakes are excellent. I use Motoman 3 pads, reasonably streetable but they do squeak a little on the street with light pedal pressure. They are holding up longer on the track. I haven't experienced fade in the Viper, with stock pads or with the Motoman 3s. But if I were at Randy's level, I'd go with a more aggressive track pad.