New Engine Break-In technique?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 9,724
Likes: 229
From: Motor City Vettes Ringleader
SE Michigan Coordinator
CI 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09-'11,-'13-'14-'15
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: New Engine Break-In technique? (MelloYellow)
Well its the ole 500 miles.....
No WOT, no slamming on the brakes, vary your RPM"s..... take it easy on the brakes for the 200 miles(I think)
I believe keep it under 2500 RPM's as well. I did all these pretty much, and the car is running just fine!!!
Good luck, and congrats on the new ride!!!! Post some pics :yesnod:
Zack
No WOT, no slamming on the brakes, vary your RPM"s..... take it easy on the brakes for the 200 miles(I think)
I believe keep it under 2500 RPM's as well. I did all these pretty much, and the car is running just fine!!!
Good luck, and congrats on the new ride!!!! Post some pics :yesnod:
Zack
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Charlottesville VA
Re: New Engine Break-In technique? (MelloYellow)
I got this from a GM Certified Mechanic...it's what I used.....
First 500 - very easy on the brakes....
Fisrt 1000 miles - 3000 rpm max, no hard starts or WOT
Change the oil and filter at 1000 miles
Then, if decide to go wild after that, change the oil again at 2000 miles. The hard driven should free up anything that did not shake out in the first 1000 miles.
After that, use the DIC and change at 25% oil life remaining....
Hope that works for you...... :chevy
First 500 - very easy on the brakes....
Fisrt 1000 miles - 3000 rpm max, no hard starts or WOT
Change the oil and filter at 1000 miles
Then, if decide to go wild after that, change the oil again at 2000 miles. The hard driven should free up anything that did not shake out in the first 1000 miles.
After that, use the DIC and change at 25% oil life remaining....
Hope that works for you...... :chevy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 420
From: Ponte Vedra Beach FL
Re: New Engine Break-In technique? (LowFlight)
Mello--
I've written about this before, but here goes:
Accel, decel, accel, decel on and on. Vary the RPM up and down, as this loads the rings both ways. Don't go WOT except for very short bursts, but DO go WOT for short bursts!!! Let the RPM climb, but stay below about 5200 or so. Then let it decel from time to time. Don't lug the motor, either. Frankly, normal "suburban" driving is about what you're looking for. Going crazy with a new motor loads bearing surfaces (ALL the bearing surfaces, and there are many many many) that haven't had a chance to mate-in, but going too easy doesn't force the rings against the cylinder walls....so you're looking for that "surburban driving" balance.
I don't baby a new motor, but I DO continue this moderately robust break-in period for much longer than most guys do. I'm talking about 750 miles here, and as you know, some guys go full power to redline at 300 miles. Uh-uh, not me. That's for drag motors, not a street car, IMHO.
Hope this random rambling conveys my philosophy on this touchy subject. I think the Israelis will make peace with the Palestinians :cheers: before knowledgeable car guys agree on proper break-in procedure!!!
I've written about this before, but here goes:
Accel, decel, accel, decel on and on. Vary the RPM up and down, as this loads the rings both ways. Don't go WOT except for very short bursts, but DO go WOT for short bursts!!! Let the RPM climb, but stay below about 5200 or so. Then let it decel from time to time. Don't lug the motor, either. Frankly, normal "suburban" driving is about what you're looking for. Going crazy with a new motor loads bearing surfaces (ALL the bearing surfaces, and there are many many many) that haven't had a chance to mate-in, but going too easy doesn't force the rings against the cylinder walls....so you're looking for that "surburban driving" balance.
I don't baby a new motor, but I DO continue this moderately robust break-in period for much longer than most guys do. I'm talking about 750 miles here, and as you know, some guys go full power to redline at 300 miles. Uh-uh, not me. That's for drag motors, not a street car, IMHO.
Hope this random rambling conveys my philosophy on this touchy subject. I think the Israelis will make peace with the Palestinians :cheers: before knowledgeable car guys agree on proper break-in procedure!!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,627
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09
Re: New Engine Break-In technique? (tracy)
Tracy knows his stuff. At least with the matter of breaking in your motor, your choices are your own and consequences not as great as in the Middle East. If you blow up something, shame on you.
Mello...Whether 500 or 750, I like changing oil more often than less. With the ARE motor, have used 20W50 "real" oil and then swapped to Mobil One synthetic after 3000 miles in my second oil change. (BTW, oil was at the mark of the dipstick both times. No burnig or leaking! :cool:
Good luck.
Doug
[Modified by Snowman, 6:18 PM 4/19/2002]
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,248
Likes: 0
Re: New Engine Break-In technique? (Snowman)
Thx guys. Def varying the rpms.
Not being real good about keeping the rpms down. Oh well. LOL! I can't take any more break-ins. 3 trannys, 2 engines.. SCREW IT!
;)
Will vary RPMs and change oil at 1000 miles.
Thanks for the good advice tho. Guess I couldn't hack another long break-in. I'll try not to keep red lining the engine over the next few days.
Pulls hard. Runs good. :D
Not being real good about keeping the rpms down. Oh well. LOL! I can't take any more break-ins. 3 trannys, 2 engines.. SCREW IT!
;)
Will vary RPMs and change oil at 1000 miles.
Thanks for the good advice tho. Guess I couldn't hack another long break-in. I'll try not to keep red lining the engine over the next few days.
Pulls hard. Runs good. :D
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: New Engine Break-In technique? (MelloYellow)
We are breaking in our 427:
Run on 10W30 regular motor oil for 350 miles, keeping the car under 4000 RPM's, no WOT, varying the RPM's up & down
Change oil at 350 miles, again repeating the process above for another 350 miles, then switch to Mobile 1. Take her a little easy for ~200 miles working her up to up WOT.
Run on 10W30 regular motor oil for 350 miles, keeping the car under 4000 RPM's, no WOT, varying the RPM's up & down
Change oil at 350 miles, again repeating the process above for another 350 miles, then switch to Mobile 1. Take her a little easy for ~200 miles working her up to up WOT.
