I ended up buying a new Camaro instead of the C6 I've been looking for. The Camaro owners' manual advises a 1,500 mile break in on the LS3 without going over 4,000 rpms.

Is that consistent with the owners manuals on the LS3 Corvettes? I thought the Corvettes were 500 miles and nothing over 55 mph. That's just what I've heard, and that's what it was on my LS1.

Seems odd that the Camaro would be any different unless they are broken in different at the factory.

Any advice would be appreciated. I don't want to pamper this thing for 1,500 miles if I don't have to. I'm at about 400 miles now so I'm getting close to a decision point.

Thanks!

 

Let it rip...break in is an internet forum urban legend

 

You can never go wrong following the owners manual. 1500 miles will go by fast and you can then get on it. The break in is not only for the engine, but time for all moving parts to mesh together. Enjoy the car and post a picture when you can.

 

Pages 2-21 & 2-22 in the 2009 C6 Owner's Manual has the following:


New Vehicle Break-In

Follow these recommended guidelines during the first
1,500 miles/2414 km of driving this vehicle. Parts have
a break-in period and performance will be better in the
long run.

For the first 200 miles/322 km:
• To break in new tires, drive at moderate speeds and
avoid hard cornering for the first 200 miles/322 km.
• New brake linings also need a break- in period. Avoid
making hard stops during the first 200 miles/322 km.
This is recommended every time brake linings are
replaced.

For the first 500 miles/805 km:
• Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops.
• Do not exceed 4,000 engine rpm.
• Avoid driving at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, including the use of cruise control.
• Avoid downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle
when the engine speed will exceed 4000 RPM.
• Do not let the engine labor. Never lug the
engine in high gear at low speeds. With a manual
transmission, shift to the next lower gear. This rule
applies at all times, not just during the break-in
period.
For the first 1,500 miles/2414 km:
• Do not participate in track events, sport driving
schools, or similar activities during the first
1,500 miles/2414 km.
• Check engine oil with every refueling and add if
necessary. Oil and fuel consumption may be higher
than normal during the first 1,500 miles/2414 km.

 

I agree with him. But you can let 'er rip from Mile One, and pay the bills because I can assure you, no one on here will pay them for you. And after all, those writers get paid by the word and that's why they wrote all that "stuff."

 

I'll pass this along to the Camaro folks on their forum. Glad the owners' manuals are consistent. Sucks staying under 4K rpms for another 1,200 miles, but that's what I'll do. Plenty of acceleration between 0 and 4K rpms, so I'm not exactly bored.

FYI, I'm really impressed so far with the acceleration on the Camaro. The auto is geared pretty good for acceleration 0-60.

 

Hey, I'm glad for you! Let's face it: some of the same people that brought us the Corvette are bringing you and others the Camaro. No animosity here.

 

new Camaro's are sweet. I would love to have one for a DD.

Enjoy

 

Obviously the LS3 in the Camero is made of inferior parts and materials then the LS3 in the Vette - thus the difference in the break in period Use your head and don't go overboard for the first 500 and then let her rip!

 

I took a museum delivery in January and when I read the break in procedures I didn't think they were very clear at all. With a 2,000 mile trip ahead of me I wanted to make sure I did break it in correctly

What is moderate speeds?
Everyone always says keep it under 55 for the first 500 miles but it doesn't say this.
What speed can you drive?

 

As much as it could be speed-related, the break in to my understanding is more rpm-sensitive. Besides all out, 180 mph speed which few would do or advocate, it is the revs being changed, up and down (by a few hundred rpm), which helps mesh the various OTHER driveline components, rear, trans, differential, etc.

It is easy to do, really. A little concentration early on will just make the subsequent miles enjoyable and potentially more trouble-free.

 

Unfortunately, even with today's more accurate casting and machining, this is still true...

 

I drove it nicely for 50 miles, then gave it hell. I know several others who have 'broken in' their cars similarly and have had no problems. 20k miles later still trouble free. Don't worry about it 300 miles is more than enough, seals actually seat better under load anyway.

 

Show some self control and break it in gently for 1500 miles.
Use a light throttle, don't spin the engine over 4000rpm and use gentle driving techniques.
I did this and changed the oil and 500 and 1500. Excessive? Maybe, but I have peace of mind and know that I gave all systems in my car a chance to break in properly.

 

Here is what I did as we faced a 1k trip home from the museum. First day we putted around the Bowling Green area and I managed to put on 100 miles and zero freeway miles. Next day was a short trip to Mempis to stay the evening and get some BB King Ribs. While on this journey I varied my speeds every five or so miles from 55 mph to 70 mph and I continued this when we left Memphis until I got to 500 miles and at that point I ripped from 50ish to 120ish and did this several more times on the way to Dallas for our next stop. At 20k our Vette is running great and zero issues, I changed the oil at the end of the trip, again with 3k and 5k on the clock and now I do it around 4k

 

I see a lot of different break-in methods here, so I'll add mine.

Easy for the first few miles to assure all components are in a normal operating temperature range. Then several pulls with moderate to heavy throttle from 1500 to 4-5000 rpm to seat the rings and concurrently bed the brakes. Drive another 20-30 minutes with varying speeds and repeat. Stop to let the car the car cool completely then restart and drive normally for at least 30 more miles. After one more cooling cycle drive it as hard as you want.

This race proven method has worked for me and provided good long-term performance.

I'm sure this will draw several responses, but I trusted my oil filter and the Mobil 1 synthetic to capture all the particles and didn't make the first change until 14K. I'm currently at 59K and use less than 1/2 quart between changes that average about 13K.

 

Hey RedSeeSix post up a pic of that bad boy ! Tell us more about options etc.

 

Blasphemy! You are breaking every rule in the book!

 

A Camaro is a nice car. Much more practical than a Vette but it will never be as sexy.

 

Each to his own:

1957 Bel Air, 283ci, 270hp, two four barrels...picked up with six miles on the clock. Took it to the limit in 1st, hit nearly 100mph in 2nd by the time the car had 8 miles on it...never ever had an issue with that motor, way back in the days of straight dino oil and semi-crap gas!
Did that again with a brand new '63 327, 350hp four speed!
What break in period...to me the idea was to see if it would "break in that period", not pamper it like some cup cake piece of fluff....sheesh!

I have driven everything from Euclids, to road graders and dump trucks, you name it. Never had a motor let go....