I only came down hard on your original post because of the difficulty in getting ALL the DOT 4 fluid out. You do not want DOT 3, 4 or 5.1 coming in conact with DOT 5. It's just plain unsafe.
Considering the extreme difficulty in getting all the DOT 4 out to put DOT 5 in when you can only clean brake systems with brake fluid purging or complete disassembly and cleaning with brake cleaner, I still don't think it is unfair.
Then why not explain it that way in the FAQ? Instead of inferring that even the proper use of DOT 5 will be "disasterous"?
Just for you, I have removed all the red and bold text and re-re-edited the article. In the interest of fairiness, I've spelled out things more clearly.
Every site I've found that's got an article on brake fluid performance says DOT 5 is not for racing & high performance use
That is completely contradictory with the fact that name-brand companies are producing silicone fluid and selling it as racing fluid for competition applications:
"Russell's long life DOT 5 Silicone Brake Fluid was developed for severe service and competition applications."
That's a vendor advertising his product! I said articles on fluid performance.
"CASTROL SRF Brake Fluid (SILICONE)
Recommended for racing conditions only - this is the ultimate in racing brake fluid!"
And it is rated as a DOT 4!
And another brand (Cartel), sold by Ire Racing :
"Silicone Brake Fluid (DOT 5)
Non Hygroscopic -Does not absorb water- thus eliminating corrosion and deterioration.
Dry boiling point exceeds 600 deg.
Compatiable with DOT 3, DOT 4, and foreign brake fluids.
Compatiable with natural and synthetic rubber compounds.
Never needs replacement.
Doesn't harm painted surfaces.
Lubricates moving parts.
Simple changeover - just perform normal brake bleeding job.
Packaged in 8 oz., 32 oz., 5 gallon and 55 gallon drums."
http://www.lreracing.com/silicone_brake_fluid.htm
OK, I'll give that one to you. You found a DOT 5 fluid that IS compatible with DOT 3/4. And @ $10.50 for a 12 oz bottle (on another site, your site didn't give a price), it seems a bargain in performance fluid.
And then you keep going on about compressibilty... from your PM:
From your Clearco link:
"In comparison to DOT 3 & 4 fluids (glycol-based fluids), Clearco DOT 5 it is a highly compressible fluid."
As I said before, highly compressible is not a good feature for brake fluid.
Again, quoted from the Dragtech link:
"Less compressibility of brake fluid will increase pedal feel (firmness), but in either case the effect is minimal."
As a matter of fact, I remember the slight sponginess of the silicone fluid... but as I've stated several times now, the effect is barely noticable, and the huge advantage of having fade-free brakes over the fade-fast glycol bikes made it more than worth it.
Is 2-3x more sponginess minimal? (That's from the brake systems engineer on the stoptech link.)
And the fact that it gets even worse when the fluid is hot?
I guess it is to you and the folks at the Dragtech link.
And still, even though this effect is "minimal," the Dragtech site still has some reason to say not to use it in a race car.
You still fail to answer important questions I've put to you... such as:
"If DOT 5 was as bad as your'e trying to make it out to be, then why haven't there been any lawsuits against all these manufacturers that make and sell it as racing brake fluid?"
Because it has a place. Generally, it's not the top choice for performance. You found one that was, two if you count the expensive DOT 4 rated Castrol silicon SRF.
You still have failed to provide non-advertising articles that tout it, or named any of all those racing teams that use it.
Or:
"Can you find any evidence that DOT 5, used properly, has ever caused a crash?"
I tried to look, but I don't have the time. Given its realitive unpopularity in use, and the fact that its unlikely to be a current headline item. When race drivers had to pit to change their shorts after sinking brake pedals scared them and they converted back to glycol, it may even be non-existant.
Where's the crash data for DOT 4 used properly, if it's such a fade problem?
I, for one, like a firm brake pedal/lever and while that may not be a big deal to you, it is to me... that's opinion.
Or:
"How can you dismiss the fact that DOT 5 is fade-free, and thus gives a huge advantage over fade-fast glycol fluid?"
Who's ignoring what? Have you looked at the numbers of DOT 5.1 & Super 4? They meet and exceed DOT 5 standards... and are readily available at nearby parts stores at affordable prices and can be installed in your common, everyday DOT 3 & 4 system simply.
If you going to continue to ignore certain facts or questions I've stated, then why should I put all the effort forward to debate the rest of your long post? As I've said, for every con, there is a pro, and I'm tired of playing this game.
Because I did more than regurgitate ad copy... and all I'm asking is you do the same.
I think "winning" this debate is more important to you than being objective, and you are trying to wear me down with long quotes and arguments. I think your own prejudices and need to defend your original position prevents you from conceding my points.
I think that you painted yourself in a corner with your initial extreme reaction and ensuing negativity towards my DOT 5 comments, and now you'd rather drag it on forever than admit you over-reacted.
No problem, I've found myself in that position before too, and being just as stubborn, also found it difficult to find a graceful way to concede.
I have conceeded to valid points. I have even went in and changed the FAQ to reflect that, yet you still refuse to accept there are good products out there that meet or beat DOT 5 basics and pose no risk to the hazards of changing from one system to the other.
...have we even mentioned that DOT 5 is not suitable for ABS systems in the public part of our debate? I suppose this is important since there's ABS versions of the 1G B12 and the new 1250.
Therefore, I'm going to stop here. I really mean it this time!
I don't want an unending argument about brake fluid to come between friends, and I do consider you one. In fact we are a lot alike, stubborn as mules. I'm looking forward to meeting you someday and laughing about all this.
I'll even bring the DOT 5 if you bring the beer...
No hard feelings.
I'm not as stubborn as you.
I may be the mule, but you're the camel.
Keep the DOT 5, bring tequila instead.