Vehicle/engine Break-in, Science or Voodoo?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,076
Likes: 26
From: Nevada and Florida
Vehicle/engine Break-in, Science or Voodoo?
Need your experience on the proper way to break-in a new C5. If anyone has dyno results that would be appreciated.
Popular methods:
1. The standard break-in is using the owners manual recommendation.
2. The altenatives that some mechanics and racers use.
Lets talk about item #2.
Most agree that gears and transmissions require light load conditions for say 500 miles to properly mate gear sets.
Engine Break-in:
Engine builders say you need to run the motor somewhat hard or the rings will not seat properly.
There is this idea that you should "drive the car like it was stolen." The objective is to seat the rings in the first 500 miles then dump the oil. The recommendation is to run the engine up to 4-5k RPM range (no redline). Then heat cycle, drive the car for say 30 minutes and cool down then drive again. No crusing on the freeway. Here is an interesting link: http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Please post your experiences and findings. Thanks for you time!
[Modified by BHP, 9:11 AM 10/26/2003]
Popular methods:
1. The standard break-in is using the owners manual recommendation.
2. The altenatives that some mechanics and racers use.
Lets talk about item #2.
Most agree that gears and transmissions require light load conditions for say 500 miles to properly mate gear sets.
Engine Break-in:
Engine builders say you need to run the motor somewhat hard or the rings will not seat properly.
There is this idea that you should "drive the car like it was stolen." The objective is to seat the rings in the first 500 miles then dump the oil. The recommendation is to run the engine up to 4-5k RPM range (no redline). Then heat cycle, drive the car for say 30 minutes and cool down then drive again. No crusing on the freeway. Here is an interesting link: http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Please post your experiences and findings. Thanks for you time!
[Modified by BHP, 9:11 AM 10/26/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: Vehicle/engine Break-in, Science or Voodoo? (BHP)
Dont forget about the wheel bearings, clutch assemblies, brakes, rotors, pads and things of that nature... They need a break-in period too. :smash:
VR :cheers:
VR :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: Vehicle/engine Break-in, Science or Voodoo? (vetterdstr)
another thing to think about... Racing is not about long term wear... it is about short term (hard) usage. Its not really fair to compare racing cars to production cars IMO.
VR :cheers:
[Modified by vetterdstr, 9:24 AM 10/26/2003]
VR :cheers:
[Modified by vetterdstr, 9:24 AM 10/26/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Vehicle/engine Break-in, Science or Voodoo? (BHP)
Engine builders say you need to run the motor somewhat hard or the rings will not seat properly.
you need to run the motor somewhat hard or the rings will not seat quick enough on cars that are only used for racing.
Even if not driven hard, rings will eventually seat properely. But on a car that is only driven at the track... you want them to seat quickly. You see; for that application - the engine cannot be driven 3k miles before it's first race. So they expedite the process by runiing the engine hard under a heavy load.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Vehicle/engine Break-in, Science or Voodoo? (Mike Mercury)
Engine builders say you need to run the motor somewhat hard or the rings will not seat properly.
:cheers:
[Modified by Y2Kvert4me, 11:59 AM 10/26/2003]
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From: Macomb Mi
Re: Vehicle/engine Break-in, Science or Voodoo? (BHP)
99 mm6 coupe 57,000 miles. Followed the Owners Manual for the break in schedule. NO engine problems, burns 1 Qt Mobil 1 10 - 30 in 3,000 miles. Runs like a raped ape. No other problems related to the drive line. I guess you could call me a " believer " of following the advise of the builder. My 2 CTS. :cheers: :seeya :chevy :flag
