Well, what a day - for Elvis at Tyres Northampton (01604) 588599 at least...

Dropped my car in this morning along with a 3" downpipe (with performance cat), 3" mid-section, Mocal transmission oil cooler and some AP brake fluid.

Unfortunately, the downpipe had the lambda sensor "outlet" above the cat and my car has the sensor underneath.

Rather than be defeated, they got the drill and the welding kit out and created a new outlet in the correct position. They then plugged the hole where the lambda sensor is on later cars with a similar-sized piece of metal - a 2p piece!

Well, to cut a long story short, he did a first-class job fitting the parts supplied and as an outfit, they come highly recommended.

"Drive home" impressions are of much quicker spool-up of the turbo and no increased noise - just what I wanted!

I am also shocked about the difference to the brakes - I should have changed the brake fluid as soon as I got the car, 9 months ago.

Anyhow, well done TN!

Thanks

Gavin

 

Gavin,

Which AP fluid did you use? If it's the DOT5 race fluid, it will need changing in two or three months, as it's very hygroscopic. It will pick up water and boil easily if you leave it in there for too long. Apologies if you already knew this, but it's important enough that I thought it was worth making sure.

Best regards,

-= mike =-

 

Mike,

I don't have my car with me (there is an empty bottle in the boot) but as I remember it is AP 5.1 fluid in a yellow bottle. I think it is the same stuff that it used with the AP uprated kit (?)

Is this the stuff you mean ?

 

'Fraid so - 5.1 is the full race-spec fluid. You might want to ask for a second opinion, but I have been advised against using this on the road. The best thing to do might be to ring AP, as they will give you a definitive answer. They are a reputable company and I'm sure they would not want you doing anything risky with one of their products.

Having said all this, you can happily keep the fluid in place for three months or so. After that, flush and replace with Silkolene ProRace 2000 or Castrol Response Super DOT4. Both have very high boiling points for road fluids, and should help you retain the same pedal feel you have now.

HTH

-= mike =-

 

Mike,

Thanks for the info - it does say on AP's web site that it is suitable for high-performance road use (see the link in my last message) but I have sent them an e-mail just to be on the safe side.

Thanks

Gavin

 

AP supply this fluid with their brake kits, and it is perfectly safe for road use.
I haven't changed my fluid since the kit was fitted in November (12,000 miles ago) and I have no problems.
I wasn't advised to change it either.
I think I'll change it before Donno though, as a bottle only costs a few quid!!

Stef.

 

Since I cast the original aspersions, I thought it was only fair that I post the following message, which I received from AP today. Apologies to AP and anyone else for any alarm, and also to MSP of Clapham, who I ticked off for using said fluid in my brakes (made 'em drain and replace it, too - remind me I owe you one, John)...

-----Original Message-----
From: Simon Ellis [mailto:simon.ellis@apracing.co.uk]
Sent: 03 March 2000 10:33
To: ‘mike.nunan@octel.com’
Subject:

Mike,

This is the text of a message sent to : gavinp@netcomuk.co.uk <mailto:gavinp@netcomuk.co.uk> [SMTP:gavinp@netcomuk.co.uk] <mailto:[SMTP:gavinp@netcomuk.co.uk]> by Pete Collen Road Car Engineer AP Racing. He has asked me to forward this on to you.

Firstly a DOT rating means Department Of Transport i.e. this is an official rating for the fluid and it has to meet their requirements. The higher the rating the superior the fluid. This will take into account wet and dry boiling point, wet because fluid can absorb moisture over a time span. It also includes viscosity at low temperatures. AP Lockheed and AP racing fluids are non silicone based and as a group we do not promote this type of fluid because there have been questions over its overall viscosity. It is our opinion that the 5.1 fluid provides the best solution for higher temperature situations on road cars and moderate competition. If kept within its temperature threshold of 270°c dry service is only required as the standard manual states!

I think where the confusion starts is that our old spec Racing fluid 550 was quite Hydroscopic and would take on moisture from the atmosphere over time, requiring periodic changes but even then not 3 months!!!
Our current race fluid is AP600 type, and is used right up to and including F1, does not have this problem and could be left in a brake system as any standard fluid. But does not get a DOT rating due to its low viscosity rating at Arctic temperatures. It is also triple the cost of 5.1 fluid and as a road car is not likely to see the temperatures of a top flight race car you just don’t need it. Anyway as stated at the beginning AP Racing would not use or promote a race fluid for road car installation.

 

I thought it was 5.0 you couldnt use and 5.1 was perfectly okay for fast-road

Sunil of little knowledge re all things mechanical

 

Mike,

I received the same e-mail from AP and I am happy that we managed to clear up the issue

Thanks

Gavin