Breaking in a turbo...

[Intercooled T]

Hey all...ordered a new turbocharger, should be in and installed next week...what are the break in procedures for it? This turbo will be running 20-22psi @ WOT, so how much boost should I run temporarily to break it in?

Is there a normal procedure, like no more than 10psi for the first 500 miles, or whatever...? It's also accompanied by some bigger injectors, bigger intercooler and a street chip. What would you turbo-gurus do to break it in nicely?

[teh DIRT]

when you first install it.....cycle the engine before starting it. By this i mean crank it over a few times with your ignition fuse pulled. This will flow oil through it so when the hot ass exhaust gases hit it and it starts spinning at 10,000 rpms it will have oil.

[Intercooled T]

Yea, I know that, but what about boost levels for the break-in?

[lagos]

i dont know if there is a real limit to it, but i would turn the boost all the way down and just drive normall for at least 500miles.

[awdlaserbeam]

What is there to break in? Its getting oil and everything it needs to function properly, just dont drive like a maniac everywhere if you are concerned.

[Intercooled T]

I think I'll keep it around 16-18 for a while...then get it up to 20-22 with some tuning...high 11's here we come

[TROLL]

some tuners / installers say thta you should break in a new turbo, some say you dont have to. the ones who say you should just like to err on the side of safety, while the ones who say you shouldnt justify it by saying that the only friction in the entire thing is in the bearing (whatever type yours has) and it is already set for anything you can throw at it by design.
if you want you can run it at low boost, but its probably not necessary. if you do i'd set it to wastegate pressure for 500 miles or so, then turn it up...
and in case you didnt know, most turbos spin at 150,000-200,000 rpm... thats friggin fast.

[2point4DSM]

Turbo rebuilders will tell you that turbos do NOT need a break-in. They are machined so tight anyway there is nothing coming off them until they are ready to die. The only things you really need to worry about is making sure it has oil right off the bat.

[TurboTagTeam]

Originally Posted by teh DIRT

when you first install it.....cycle the engine before starting it. By this i mean crank it over a few times with your ignition fuse pulled. This will flow oil through it so when the hot ass exhaust gases hit it and it starts spinning at 10,000 rpms it will have oil.

The turbo will still spin when you are cranking it. You should crank the engine with the fuse pulled, turbo off, and oil line un-connected. When you see oil come out your supply line, you are good to go.

Also...no break in period for turbo's.

[SoStock92]

Actually you should prime the turbo before ever even installing it... pretty simple science. We always use a long tube and just let some oil sit on top of the bearing via the pressurized send hose. Even after a couple hours of cleaning up the car, theres still enough oil in the thing to not worry about it. Most turbos have restrictors of only like 2 mm or less... its not like they require a TON of oil. Just put a ml in there or so and wrap it up.