Engine Break In Question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,503
Likes: 1,455
From: Pittsburgh PA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Engine Break In Question
How did most of you break the engine in during the first 500 miles? I know not to keep it in one rpm range for long periods of time, but did you start slow at first progressing to higher rpm's as you put more miles on, or just went straight for redline from day one? 
Thanks for any suggestions
Thanks for any suggestions
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 5
From: stafford country, va. Avatar: Me on turn 3 @ Bristol (The World's Fastest Half-Mile)
i was raining the whole weekend when I got mine. I did alot or backroad and in town driving to break it in. the rain helped me keep my speed down. if you want the engine to last and don't want to burn oil / have high oil consumption you will baby it for the break in. this is when the rings get set, as well as the initial break / wear in of the powertrain.
just keep it slow, don't really have to worry about not keeping the rpms constant if you do the in-town break in.
just keep it slow, don't really have to worry about not keeping the rpms constant if you do the in-town break in.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 1
From: LongIsland,NY............
I picked up my DSOM,z51 on Saturday from Kerbeck & it took 5 hours to get to Long Island...I was stuck in traffic 1/2 the ride 
and the other 1/2 of ride I stayed between 50 & 60 mph 
...Kerbeck told me to drive it like any other car & not to Baby it.It is 405 hsp..I did get lots of brake dust 
and the other 1/2 of ride I stayed between 50 & 60 mph ...Kerbeck told me to drive it like any other car & not to Baby it.It is 405 hsp..I did get lots of brake dust
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
I tried to generally follow GM's recommendations. I figure there are a lot of moving parts coming into contact and getting to know each other (in the engine and elsewhere).
I took it pretty easy for the first couple of hundred miles by driving on back roads at varying speeds. I tried to keep the speed down (not easy) and avoided quick stops. After that, I gradually started driving it a bit more "enthusiastically." I still tried to keep it below about 4000 RPM until I had about 500 miles or so on it.
Now I just drive it like I want to...
I took it pretty easy for the first couple of hundred miles by driving on back roads at varying speeds. I tried to keep the speed down (not easy) and avoided quick stops. After that, I gradually started driving it a bit more "enthusiastically." I still tried to keep it below about 4000 RPM until I had about 500 miles or so on it.
Now I just drive it like I want to...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 4
From: Henderson Nevada
Originally Posted by KDH
Why does the owners manual recommend keeping it below 55 mph? I would think it's RPMs that matter-not speed. Unless, of course, you like to drive at 70 mph in third gear. 
In fact, the Porsche break-in schedule has an RPM limit by miles. I've ignored the 55 MPH thing on every new car. I think it is a holdover from the dreaded 55 MPH national limit. Keep the revs out of the higher end of the tach and enjoy.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: OCEANSIDE,LI, NEW YORK 11572
Break In
HOFFIE: As one of our finest here in NEW YORK.....how are you Handeling the Front License Plate.???..Will have my Vette Shortly..Thanks, Harvey T. Gluck HTG39@AOL.COM
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 1
From: LongIsland,NY............
[QUOTE=HARVEY T.GLUCK]HOFFIE: As one of our finest here in NEW YORK.....how are you Handeling the Front License Plate.???..Will have my Vette Shortly..Thanks, Harvey T. Gluck HTG39@AOL.COM[/QUOTE
I Refuse to mess up my car because of a law...I will carry the front plate with me with the holder..If I get pulled over I will just tell the officer it fell off because its mounted with tape..If he issues me a summons(shame on him)As the NYC vehicle traffic law states,I have 24 hrs to fix the problem & get a receipt if needed(ex:broken tail light,cracked windshield,broken tail lamp,no front plate)and return the car to any NYC Police Pct & have it examined by a police officer.The Police officer will prepare a form & sign it stating the problem has been corrected.I will than mail that form with the copy of the summons & plea not guilty..I suggest you all do the same in NYC as you will get away with it
I Refuse to mess up my car because of a law...I will carry the front plate with me with the holder..If I get pulled over I will just tell the officer it fell off because its mounted with tape..If he issues me a summons(shame on him)As the NYC vehicle traffic law states,I have 24 hrs to fix the problem & get a receipt if needed(ex:broken tail light,cracked windshield,broken tail lamp,no front plate)and return the car to any NYC Police Pct & have it examined by a police officer.The Police officer will prepare a form & sign it stating the problem has been corrected.I will than mail that form with the copy of the summons & plea not guilty..I suggest you all do the same in NYC as you will get away with it
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Originally Posted by KDH
Why does the owners manual recommend keeping it below 55 mph? I would think it's RPMs that matter-not speed. Unless, of course, you like to drive at 70 mph in third gear.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 20,246
Likes: 0
From: Katy Texas
Originally Posted by Tom/99
I break my cars in just like I will be driving it. I don't drive them any special way.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,977
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From: Reno NV
We used to have a very good discussion in the FAQ. But that seems to have been mostly blown away. The first page is half gone and the rest seem to be history. I seems that the server change has taken it's first casualty.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Originally Posted by KDH
Why does the owners manual recommend keeping it below 55 mph? I would think it's RPMs that matter-not speed. Unless, of course, you like to drive at 70 mph in third gear.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,287
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From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Follow the manufacturers advice. Keep the speed down, no sudden accelleration (to let the ring and pinion faces wear to each other under light load) vary engine and vehicle speed, and go easy on the brakes the first 500 miles. You have nothing to lose by following the proper breakin procedure. Listen to the engineers, not the car salesmen. And an LS2 is not that different from a truck engine or a V6. There is no majic to the LS2. Just more displacement, more cam, good heads, intake and exhaust. Just because it's got 400 HP doesn't mean it should be broken in any differently.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 944
Likes: 2
From: Greater Detroit MI
Originally Posted by need-for-speed
Follow the manufacturers advice. Keep the speed down, no sudden accelleration (to let the ring and pinion faces wear to each other under light load) vary engine and vehicle speed, and go easy on the brakes the first 500 miles. You have nothing to lose by following the proper breakin procedure. Listen to the engineers, not the car salesmen. And an LS2 is not that different from a truck engine or a V6. There is no majic to the LS2. Just more displacement, more cam, good heads, intake and exhaust. Just because it's got 400 HP doesn't mean it should be broken in any differently.
on this, engineering tolerances are just that, tolerance's. designing, actually machining an engine is done in the real world, and the break in process is about letting all the varing parts get their final machining in the running engine, but its lightyears ahead of where it used to be.
Last edited by C6Matt; Apr 13, 2005 at 07:52 PM.