new engine break in

[SpitfireMk24]

you've all heard them say you have to drive it at least like 1200 miles or something, to let the piston rings set, before you drive over 3500 rpms or so. . .

but is it really true? The guys that really deal with high performance engines on a day to day business seem to drag race brand new cars without thinking twice.

 

[Darkhorse845]

We'll if you want to be safe with a new engine wait at least
1K miles before you wot it to let the piston rings seat!Also in the first 1K miles I wouldn't take it over 3500rpm anyway!

 

[Vexracing]

They are pre broke in from the factory, yes you can take it easy for a few hundred. I believe more in driving it how you intend to, just take care of it mechanically. I ran mine at the track with about 900 miles on it and it runs perfect all the time, I also change my oil about every month or so.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Pffffttt, drive it like you would any other car. It doesn't really make a difference. If I could suggest anything, I'd suggest changing the oil/filter after the first few hundred miles and again after about 2,000 or so.

 

[bdcardinal]

when i talked to the engine designer for the 07 cobra, i asked him about breakin and he said that they dont run them at the factory. he suggested using motorcraft oil for breakin changing at 500 miles, 1000 miles, 2000 miles then run synthetic starting at 3000 miles. my engine building instructor has people run the motors at 2000 rpm for 20 mins when they first run, then go up and down on the revs between 3000 and idle for a while to help seat the rings.

 

[SpitfireMk24]

alright, but how about the magazine guys that track test all the new cars? like all the 05 mustang track tests. . . you think they break those in? of course not! They just let it warm up, and then run the 1/4 mile a few times, no big deal. I think the guys at mm+ff know what they're doing, right?

Do you ever hear about the racing organizations that build 500 hp engines, and then dyno test them?

I just dont understand why all the dealer guys tell you to let it break in...

 

[Big Steve]

I would try to keep the RPM's down to a reasonable level, say nothing higher than 4K. WOT in the higher gears at lower RPM's will help seat the rings. No free revs, try too keep the engine as loaded as possible by "short shifting". 500-1000 miles is all you need to break in a modern engine. Change the oil after that and it's off to the races. Let's face it, the magazine guys who are testing these vehicles are NOT buying them and don't care how long they'll last. The magazines have deadlines and can't afford timewise to break in an engine even though the acceleration times are always higher with one. A properly broken in engine will last longer and use less oil in the long run.

 

[SpitfireMk24]

My neighbor works with corvette and went to a track day where they had 3 brand new black gt coupe mustangs. . . whoever ran the fastest track times kept the car My neighbor placed second. . .