[Z06] How did you break in your Z?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
How did you break in your Z?
Just curious how everyone broke in their Z. I know the manual says nothing over 50 mph for the first 500 miles, but I did that on my '00 SS and still had problems. I think that as long as you aren't redlining the tach and dropping the clutch in the first 500, you are ok. Just curious what everyone thinks.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
From: Lake Travis TX
Re: How did you break in your Z? (Silver Ghost)
i drove mine from columbus, ohio to austin, texas on my break in- kept the RPM's varied and shifted it lots-
never got on her hard till 1000 miles
never got on her hard till 1000 miles
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 19,557
Likes: 1,470
From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
Re: How did you break in your Z? (Silver Ghost)
Hey Silver Ghost: The reflective letters you had asked about can be bought from Ecklers for about $15 per set, front & rear. 800-327-4868 or http://www.ecklers.com You can get a bigger selection, if the relective type are the ones you want, at http://www.reflectiveconcepts.com Hope this helps.
Glenn :)
Glenn :)
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,920
Likes: 84
From: Roanoke Virginia
Re: How did you break in your Z? (Silver Ghost)
Did museum pick up and drove 550 miles to Roanoke. Varied speed between 50-60 first 200 miles. kicked it up a bit 2nd 200 miles between 50-65.
Last 150 miles, I punched it up to 75 a few times but no sustained speed.
I also stopped about every 100 miles for a break and cool down ( maybe 15-20 minutes). After that I ran it pretty good, did an auto cross at 1000 and ran at Bristol drag strip at 1500 miles.
Last 150 miles, I punched it up to 75 a few times but no sustained speed.
I also stopped about every 100 miles for a break and cool down ( maybe 15-20 minutes). After that I ran it pretty good, did an auto cross at 1000 and ran at Bristol drag strip at 1500 miles.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Re: How did you break in your Z?
I figure its worth not risking... I took it easy the first 500 miles, as the 500 mile mark got closer I continued to drive it a bit higher and higher on the RPM's.... nice and slow... I'm at about 550 now...its wide open time...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 967
Likes: 1
From: Centerville OH
Re: How did you break in your Z? (Silver Ghost)
I have no idea what's good or bad, but staying under 50 MPH (70-75mph) is just too dang HARD and is an unacceptable. I followed all other instructions concerning RPM and speed variance.
I will say that in all 3 of my vette (22k, 16k, 4k is the mileage), I never had an issue, but then again not alot of miles for a scientific evaluation.
- JeffMc
[Modified by JeffMc, 7:37 AM 3/8/2002]
I will say that in all 3 of my vette (22k, 16k, 4k is the mileage), I never had an issue, but then again not alot of miles for a scientific evaluation.
- JeffMc
[Modified by JeffMc, 7:37 AM 3/8/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Re: How did you break in your Z? (JeffMc)
Hey Jeff, by looking at your signature, you apparently dont keep your cars long enough to be able to tell if break ins are important :D Are you going to pick up a 2003 :chevy
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,299
Likes: 33
From: Houston Texas
Re: How did you break in your Z? (WWK888)
I don't have a Z but I broke my coupe in slowly for the first 500 miles. Its so difficult to go at 55 mph or under on the freeway. People see you in a vette and wonder why your going so slow.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Columbus Indiana
Re: How did you break in your Z? (Silver Ghost)
After Katech rebuild as recomended:
7 quarts Break in oil-petrolem based 5w30.
Ran on Dyno at light load to set new rings pistons / bearings.
1st 500 miles at moderate constant changing loads not to exceed 3500 RPM
Changed oil at 500 miles---5 quarts Mobile1 10w-30 and 2 quarts 15w-50.
7 quarts Break in oil-petrolem based 5w30.
Ran on Dyno at light load to set new rings pistons / bearings.
1st 500 miles at moderate constant changing loads not to exceed 3500 RPM
Changed oil at 500 miles---5 quarts Mobile1 10w-30 and 2 quarts 15w-50.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Re: How did you break in your Z? (Silver Ghost)
Picked up my Z06 at the NCM and drove north on back roads to allow me to vary speed and rpm as advised and to improve the likelihood that I could do controlled and measured stops. I ignored 50 mph from the beginning and kept load on the engine down by using higher gears. After about 200 miles this was boring and the car was screaming "let's go." So I got on the freeway and drove another 250 miles shifting around in 4th, 5th, and 6th gears with speeds between 60 and 75. The car is only turning over 2200 rpm at 70mph in 6th. After 500 miles I drove it hard. Everything seems fine so far. In 8000 miles I've used about one quart of oil. jerboa :)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 967
Likes: 1
From: Centerville OH
Re: How did you break in your Z? (WWK888)
WWK888,
Nope. 2003 is not in the future. :nonod:
The Z06 will be it for a few years. I enjoyed the 99 but it was auto and the 2001 was great but the trade-in was awesome on the Z06 (-3000 off, 0%).
I have been VERY lucky.
- JeffMc
Nope. 2003 is not in the future. :nonod:
The Z06 will be it for a few years. I enjoyed the 99 but it was auto and the 2001 was great but the trade-in was awesome on the Z06 (-3000 off, 0%).
I have been VERY lucky.
- JeffMc
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 25
From: Insert Wittty Comment here
Re: How did you break in your Z? (JeffMc)
Pulled out of the dealership in Daytona, Fl.
Got into the street, and hammered it once through 3 gears.
Drove straight to the interstate, and drove 1100 miles home (in one night) with a big silly grin on my face.
I ran about 70-85 most of the trip. I got home and changed the oil. And the next weekend took the car to HRP to put passes on it. Then I took it and dyno'd it.
I did baby it on the way home though. It ran about 1800-2000 RPM for 14 hrs straight.
Got into the street, and hammered it once through 3 gears.
Drove straight to the interstate, and drove 1100 miles home (in one night) with a big silly grin on my face.
I ran about 70-85 most of the trip. I got home and changed the oil. And the next weekend took the car to HRP to put passes on it. Then I took it and dyno'd it.
I did baby it on the way home though. It ran about 1800-2000 RPM for 14 hrs straight.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 15
From: Houston TX
Re: How did you break in your Z? (Silver Ghost)
I just finished my break-in. Instead of 500 I went to a 1000. I was very easy on the car for the first 400 or so miles. At 600 did two shifts to 5000 rpm. At 600 took it to 115 in fifth with little action between then and last night. Changed oil at 660 miles. I'm at a light with 996 miles on the clock, light turns green, I ease out in first, hammer it to 6000, shift to second-back end kicks out and TC engages to 6000-shift to third and TC engages with rear kicking out again. I'd say break in is over with.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Anson, Tx.
Re: How did you break in your Z? (JKLNHDE)
I did a smokey burnout while leaving the dealership. Ha! Five thousand plus miles and I haven't changed the oil. Next guy is gonna get a real cream puff.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Tampa, FL USA
Re: How did you break in your Z? (King O Speed)
The break in period is mostly about rear gear noise and brake rotor issues, not engines.
I'm not into any more gear noise than necessary, therefore; I broke my Z06 in gently.
I'm not into any more gear noise than necessary, therefore; I broke my Z06 in gently.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 14,581
Likes: 10
From: City of Turbo Buicks in Corvette County FL
Re: (TMiller)
Drove it slowly at different speeds straight from Les Stanford Chevrolet, Dearborn, Michigan to Bowling Green, Kentucky, then home to Dallas, Texas...
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
Re: (3.8TurboWhat?)
I'm following the speed guidlines with a few exptions for traffic negotiation:) I run up into 5k a few times every 50 miles or so and let the engine brake the speed back down. I'm using the CAGS too although I wonder if this is a good idea during break-in? The shift into 4th seems to put a strain on the drive-train and not vary the RPM enough.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC, USA
Re: How did you break in your Z? (Silver Ghost)
Gently, very gently.
Progressively increased rpms. No lugging. Lots of low decel in all forward gears. Varied engine speed. Lots of heat-cycles on rotors. No heavy braking.
Now with 7,500 miles: no gear noise, no differential noise, no warped rotors, approximately 6k miles per quart of 5w30, no rattles, no squeaks :D :D :D
Progressively increased rpms. No lugging. Lots of low decel in all forward gears. Varied engine speed. Lots of heat-cycles on rotors. No heavy braking.
Now with 7,500 miles: no gear noise, no differential noise, no warped rotors, approximately 6k miles per quart of 5w30, no rattles, no squeaks :D :D :D