What brake fluid is used for track days on ZL1

[Schmo Z]

Just wondering what people have been putting in the Z for brake fluid when hitting the track? What are the dry and wet boiling points used so far? Any issues?

[Stephen12ZL1]

ATE super blue...no issues.

[tnspd]

Due you need to change the fluid if you are just going to do a road coarse 1 or 2 times? I would think not since the car was built for the occasional track use.

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by tnspd

Due you need to change the fluid if you are just going to do a road coarse 1 or 2 times? I would think not since the car was built for the occasional track use.

the higher boiling point just gives some cushion because the stock fluid is nothing special

[ZL1-V]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

the higher boiling point just gives some cushion because the stock fluid is nothing special

I have to ask have you personally driven your car on a road course and the stock fluid didn't hold up and due to the high temps you had a boil over? Why is it "nothing special"? I changed fluid from DOT 3 to DOT 3&4 when I tracked my Mustang and discovered the stock fluid would have worked just fine. I'm pretty sure they used the same spec stock fluid in the 2012 Camaro ZL1 that did the Nurburgring that is in our ZL1's?

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by Sharp ZL1

I have to ask have you personally driven your car on a road course and the stock fluid didn't hold up and due to the high temps you had a boil over? Why is it "nothing special"? I changed fluid from DOT 3 to DOT 3&4 when I tracked my Mustang and discovered the stock fluid would have worked just fine. I'm pretty sure they used the same spec stock fluid in the 2012 Camaro ZL1 that did the Nurburgring that is in our ZL1's?

Yes...I have driven my car at VIR for many laps and made the decision to swap fluid before attending the event. With the ATE super blue fluid the pedal never once had a moment that I lost confidence because of reaching a boiling point. I would bet that the braking system itself with cooling ducts, large rotors, and Brembo calipers is the reason that running on long tracks like the Nurburgring causes no issues with the brake fluid boiling. It is such a "no brainer" to swap out the fluid, I would consider it cheap insurance and something simple to ensure my ZL1 will stop when I need to slow down going 147mph+ on the back stretch. The ZL1 fluid from the factory is not special; however, the brakes themselves are wonderful. If you are on a tight road course and stock fluid is "fine", I would gather you weren't pushing the car very hard or didn't run very long. My sessions are typically 25min which is longer than the Nurburgring (only 7 1/2 min approx per lap).

[ZL1-V]

Thanks for the detailed answer. I will consider an alternative fluid also. I know a bit about VIR circuit from the AMA motorcycle days before it was cancelled! Unlike you I have not been able to track my ZL1 yet! It was the streets of Willow where I ran my Mustang in the past. I'm sure when I get my ZL1 on track I'll find out for myself! Oh and for the record I have pushed a car hard enough to boil the fluid before. We have more than one road course and steep fast canyon roads here in Southern California.

[69NMYSS]

Boiled my stock fluid last summer at Buttonwillow. Swapped to ATE Superblue and haven't had a problem in the last 15 track days. However, I am on my 3rd set of rotors/pads and almost done with 2nd set of tires with 11k miles

[X25]

Originally Posted by 69NMYSS

Boiled my stock fluid last summer at Buttonwillow. Swapped to ATE Superblue and haven't had a problem in the last 15 track days. However, I am on my 3rd set of rotors/pads and almost done with 2nd set of tires with 11k miles

Heavy and powerful cars eat tires and brakes. What pads are you using? I would highly recommend trying ST43 (Raybestos) or Endless pads. They are both very friendly on rotors, too, so you cut from that cost, too.