Breaking a car in.... - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

DropTopChevy · 04-24-2006, 12:36 PM

Ok, so my boss just had his 427 rebuilt for his corvette and its now a 502 with aftermarket, intake, carb, headers, heads, etc.... Well we were putting the engine in this past weekend and he said he was gonna run it at englishtown this weekend. I was like ya gotta break it in first. But hes tryin to say that the miles that the motor had on it before the rebuild count?
All I'm saying is i wanna be the one at Englishtown this weekend doing this >

and saying "told ya so"

So isn't there a break in period?

SilverTurboRidin · 04-24-2006, 12:42 PM

definitely needs to be broken in...

HuffRex · 04-24-2006, 01:06 PM

1000 miles to properly break it in is wat I say

BradC · 04-24-2006, 01:08 PM

Def needs break-in. The milage on the motor make it a "seasoned block", but the rings need to seat in the new bores and ****...

Silverfc88 · 04-24-2006, 01:10 PM

Tell him to take a road trip and change the oil halfway through. Hopefully he can atleast get 500 miles on it.

redline · 04-24-2006, 01:30 PM

Break-ins will always be a long debate that will go on forever. Drive it for a long trip and make sure to vary your RPM and speed, then change oil and drive the car how you intend to use it!

james_ls · 04-24-2006, 01:47 PM

I know he'll need to break it in. I'm assuming it has new rings...which will only make the break in more tedious.

Build and run = wipe your but...

underpressure02 · 04-24-2006, 03:26 PM

I broke my new motor in on the dyno so I did not wash down the cylinder walls. I did not want to start it and drive around untuned and hurt the motor. Not that it really mattered b/c I am still having coolant mixing the oil issue

reeksti · 04-24-2006, 03:34 PM

1000 miles is good

1988 Olds · 04-24-2006, 03:42 PM

Here's my idea. My dad builds a 700hp engine. They run it on the dyno to break the cam in, do maybe 4-5 dyno pulls. The engine probably has maybe 30-35 minutes on it. They throught it in a car and 9s. No running it around for 1000 miles. So who knows

BradC · 04-24-2006, 04:01 PM

Race motors are supposed to be broken in on a dyno. Breaking a motor in on a dyno is much better that a full out run on a strip.

EvlEgl · 04-24-2006, 04:13 PM

I know zeriousTT will back me up since he's the one who swayed my opinion on the matter in the first place.

Break it in like a man. Theres an article we can't seem to find but a guy showed a study that if you Drive your car after a rebuild like you would drive it everyday it seats the rings better and actually Creates more power out of the motor.

A certain SRT4 I know ran a 13.8 BONE STOCK...most SRT4's can't run those times...He drives it hard and drove it hard from the showroom.

Also my buddys 350z's ECU gives him more power over time if he goes WOT more often than not...it learns the driver and how he uses the car and feeds it more power if it sees more WOT than what was programmed in.

If it's gonna break it's gonna break...I honestly don't think you could say I told you so if you went to watch him run...And if it did break I woudln't say Oh he didnt' break the motor in thats why it broke...i'd say someone didn't build it correctly.

Just my opinion.

TurboTagTeam · 04-24-2006, 04:38 PM

Breaking in a motor is important for your bearings to wear in properly. Not just your rings. Even so, what idiot wouldn't take that precaution??? 1000 miles under 4500rpm's. It's not too bad. Why take the chance????

bastid · 04-24-2006, 05:35 PM

There are two methods of thought with break-in:

1) Follow it
2) Break it

If you are going to run it hard right off the showroom floor, you might invest time in a significant amount of oil changes throughout break-in mileage (similar to that of a bike). I read somewhere to change at 100, 250, 500, 750, 1250, etc up to 3000 miles just to make sure gunk doesn't accumulate while you wear in the engine. I'll search for the link, basically the guy has broken in numerous cars this way and has sold them well into the 200k-300k mileage range in great working condition.

I would love to have joined this school of thought, but BMW dealerships have the power to check break-in procedure through digitally reading the key (max RPM and speed readings prior to 1200mi). Meaning if you beat the piss out of it from day one, you're asking for warranty coverage headaches.

Once I hit 1200mi, I reset the SMG control unit on the ECU (neutral above 40, pull in paddles for 10 seconds). The ECU adapts to how you drive and adjusts as you drive the car, etc based on driving. IE - drive like a granny, car performs like a granny. I reset my SMG every month or so to make sure the shifts are firm and the drivability doesn't get all vag on me.

Needless to say, I made sure to drive it like I stole it as soon as I hit my 1200 mile break-in service and haven't looked back

bastid · 04-24-2006, 05:54 PM

Found the link, use at your own risk:

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Seems to know what he's talking about, but as it mentions in his sight - highly controversial topic. When in doubt, follow manufacturer break-in suggestion :P

TurboTagTeam · 04-24-2006, 08:13 PM

I'v heard of that site before. Didn't know were to find it though. Good find!

When my motor goes in I'm going to be using brand new housings so there's no way I'm taking a chance. I'm no even gonna gonna connect the turbo charge pipe untill 1000miles. Better safe than sorry.

poolmike · 04-24-2006, 11:02 PM

V8 Chevy's are simple. Break in at high idle for twenty minutes, change the oil, take the car out and STAND ON THE 'STUPID' PEDAL!!! It's just not that technical for low rpm engines.

1988 Olds · 04-24-2006, 11:23 PM

Yeah Mike thats how you do man.

04-24-2006, 12:36 PM	#1
DropTopChevy Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: In a big house Member #242 My Ride: 2002 2.8 30V V6 iTrader: (6)	Breaking a car in.... Ok, so my boss just had his 427 rebuilt for his corvette and its now a 502 with aftermarket, intake, carb, headers, heads, etc.... Well we were putting the engine in this past weekend and he said he was gonna run it at englishtown this weekend. I was like ya gotta break it in first. But hes tryin to say that the miles that the motor had on it before the rebuild count? All I'm saying is i wanna be the one at Englishtown this weekend doing this > and saying "told ya so" So isn't there a break in period? __________________ The great thing about being an architect is that you can walk into your dreams. - Harold E. Wagoner, 1986

04-24-2006, 12:42 PM	#2
SilverTurboRidin Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: L-town PA Member #197 iTrader: (0)	definitely needs to be broken in... __________________ Uhh used to be my dog you was in my left titty Scream RYDE OR DIE I thought you would die wit me Found out you a bitch you can't even ryde wit me Now it's a war you ain't on the side wit me To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

04-24-2006, 01:06 PM	#3
HuffRex Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Stratford, NJ Member #757 My Ride: 2004 WRX/2002 P/T Cruiser iTrader: (1)	1000 miles to properly break it in is wat I say __________________ Shooting for 550-600whp by Spring! R.I.P. Cdalerider

04-24-2006, 01:08 PM	#4
BradC Tri-State Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hatfield, PA Member #1083 My Ride: Boosted NA/2000 SAAB 9-5 iTrader: (1)	Def needs break-in. The milage on the motor make it a "seasoned block", but the rings need to seat in the new bores and ****... __________________ 1991 Silverstone Miata BP swap, GT28, Flex, etc, etc...

04-24-2006, 01:10 PM	#5
Silverfc88 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NorCal Member #126 My Ride: 88 RX7 TII, 2012 WRX hatch iTrader: (5)	Tell him to take a road trip and change the oil halfway through. Hopefully he can atleast get 500 miles on it. __________________ formerly 95nracer Instagram @Silverfc88 11.6@123mph Streetport 13bt, Haltech Sprint RE, FIC 1150cc + Delphi 1000cc injectors, Walbro 255, Borg Warner s360 .88, HKS mani, JGS 50mm, Greddy FMIC, HKS Twin Power, AEM water/meth inj

04-24-2006, 01:30 PM	#6
redline Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Member #784 iTrader: (1)	Break-ins will always be a long debate that will go on forever. Drive it for a long trip and make sure to vary your RPM and speed, then change oil and drive the car how you intend to use it! __________________ 2006 Evo 9 Special Edition

04-24-2006, 01:47 PM	#7
james_ls TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Warrington Member #1614 My Ride: 1998 Acura Integra LS//VTEC iTrader: (0)	I know he'll need to break it in. I'm assuming it has new rings...which will only make the break in more tedious. Build and run = wipe your but... __________________ *Heller Dope* - When the ** is doper than Hellen Keller; it's Heller Dope To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. BUY MY STUFF!** To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

04-24-2006, 03:26 PM	#8
underpressure02 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jul 2005 Member #645 iTrader: (0)	I broke my new motor in on the dyno so I did not wash down the cylinder walls. I did not want to start it and drive around untuned and hurt the motor. Not that it really mattered b/c I am still having coolant mixing the oil issue __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. Northeast Drag Racing Club/Performance Parts Webstore

04-24-2006, 03:34 PM	#9
reeksti Tri-State Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Benslums Member #1503 My Ride: 06 STI(SOLD), 02 wrx iTrader: (1)	1000 miles is good __________________ 2006 CGM STi + 2002 WRB WRX To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

04-24-2006, 03:42 PM	#10
1988 Olds Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Levittown, PA Member #201 My Ride: 2012 Chevy Cruze iTrader: (0)	Here's my idea. My dad builds a 700hp engine. They run it on the dyno to break the cam in, do maybe 4-5 dyno pulls. The engine probably has maybe 30-35 minutes on it. They throught it in a car and 9s. No running it around for 1000 miles. So who knows __________________ 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Surpeme Classic To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. Dynoed at 237hp and 292lbs at the rear wheels. Hmm ran 13.52 @ 103.42 11/10/06 1994 Hunter Green Acura Integra DB7, Stock

04-24-2006, 04:01 PM	#11
BradC Tri-State Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hatfield, PA Member #1083 My Ride: Boosted NA/2000 SAAB 9-5 iTrader: (1)	Race motors are supposed to be broken in on a dyno. Breaking a motor in on a dyno is much better that a full out run on a strip. __________________ 1991 Silverstone Miata BP swap, GT28, Flex, etc, etc...

04-24-2006, 04:13 PM	#12
EvlEgl Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2006 Member #1412 My Ride: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe iTrader: (0)	I know zeriousTT will back me up since he's the one who swayed my opinion on the matter in the first place. Break it in like a man. Theres an article we can't seem to find but a guy showed a study that if you Drive your car after a rebuild like you would drive it everyday it seats the rings better and actually Creates more power out of the motor. A certain SRT4 I know ran a 13.8 BONE STOCK...most SRT4's can't run those times...He drives it hard and drove it hard from the showroom. Also my buddys 350z's ECU gives him more power over time if he goes WOT more often than not...it learns the driver and how he uses the car and feeds it more power if it sees more WOT than what was programmed in. If it's gonna break it's gonna break...I honestly don't think you could say I told you so if you went to watch him run...And if it did break I woudln't say Oh he didnt' break the motor in thats why it broke...i'd say someone didn't build it correctly. Just my opinion. __________________ 2010 Tsukuba Red Genesis Coupe 3.8 2008 Kawasaki ZX6R [FRSH]

04-24-2006, 04:38 PM	#13
TurboTagTeam Tri-State Post Whore Banned Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cell Block F Member #275 My Ride: constantly changes iTrader: (2)	Breaking in a motor is important for your bearings to wear in properly. Not just your rings. Even so, what idiot wouldn't take that precaution??? 1000 miles under 4500rpm's. It's not too bad. Why take the chance????

04-24-2006, 05:35 PM	#14
bastid Tri-State Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Member #1732 My Ride: 2008 BMW M3 iTrader: (0)	There are two methods of thought with break-in: 1) Follow it 2) Break it If you are going to run it hard right off the showroom floor, you might invest time in a significant amount of oil changes throughout break-in mileage (similar to that of a bike). I read somewhere to change at 100, 250, 500, 750, 1250, etc up to 3000 miles just to make sure gunk doesn't accumulate while you wear in the engine. I'll search for the link, basically the guy has broken in numerous cars this way and has sold them well into the 200k-300k mileage range in great working condition. I would love to have joined this school of thought, but BMW dealerships have the power to check break-in procedure through digitally reading the key (max RPM and speed readings prior to 1200mi). Meaning if you beat the piss out of it from day one, you're asking for warranty coverage headaches. Once I hit 1200mi, I reset the SMG control unit on the ECU (neutral above 40, pull in paddles for 10 seconds). The ECU adapts to how you drive and adjusts as you drive the car, etc based on driving. IE - drive like a granny, car performs like a granny. I reset my SMG every month or so to make sure the shifts are firm and the drivability doesn't get all vag on me. Needless to say, I made sure to drive it like I stole it as soon as I hit my 1200 mile break-in service and haven't looked back __________________ *2008 BMW ///M3 Coupe: Alpine White on Extended Fox Red Novillo Leather Factory Options:* Premium Package : M-DCT : 19" Alloys : Technology Package : Bi-Xenon : Heated Seats : EDC : Premium Audio : iPod/USB Adapter Modifications: APE Performance S65B40 Air Filter : Fabspeed X-pipe : Remus Race Muffler

04-24-2006, 05:54 PM	#15
bastid Tri-State Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Member #1732 My Ride: 2008 BMW M3 iTrader: (0)	Found the link, use at your own risk: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm Seems to know what he's talking about, but as it mentions in his sight - highly controversial topic. When in doubt, follow manufacturer break-in suggestion :P __________________ *2008 BMW ///M3 Coupe: Alpine White on Extended Fox Red Novillo Leather Factory Options:* Premium Package : M-DCT : 19" Alloys : Technology Package : Bi-Xenon : Heated Seats : EDC : Premium Audio : iPod/USB Adapter Modifications: APE Performance S65B40 Air Filter : Fabspeed X-pipe : Remus Race Muffler

04-24-2006, 08:13 PM	#16
TurboTagTeam Tri-State Post Whore Banned Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cell Block F Member #275 My Ride: constantly changes iTrader: (2)	I'v heard of that site before. Didn't know were to find it though. Good find! When my motor goes in I'm going to be using brand new housings so there's no way I'm taking a chance. I'm no even gonna gonna connect the turbo charge pipe untill 1000miles. Better safe than sorry.

04-24-2006, 11:02 PM	#17
poolmike Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Richboro Member #543 My Ride: '68 Kaiser M715/ '37 Ford truck/'47 Dodge truck iTrader: (0)	V8 Chevy's are simple. Break in at high idle for twenty minutes, change the oil, take the car out and STAND ON THE 'STUPID' PEDAL!!! It's just not that technical for low rpm engines.

04-24-2006, 11:23 PM	#18
1988 Olds Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Levittown, PA Member #201 My Ride: 2012 Chevy Cruze iTrader: (0)	Yeah Mike thats how you do man. __________________ 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Surpeme Classic To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. Dynoed at 237hp and 292lbs at the rear wheels. Hmm ran 13.52 @ 103.42 11/10/06 1994 Hunter Green Acura Integra DB7, Stock

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