Breaking in a fresh build...

[integra82786]

So I've heard a few suggestions as far as how to drive a car with a completely fresh motor to break in the rings and seals and what not. I have heard "drive the car as hard as you can to break it in", and I've heard "baby the car for the first couple hundred miles". What's the best way to break in a new motor? A couple of people have recommended just driving to Tennessee and back to put a couple hundred miles on it, but do I dog it a few times or keep it easy? I have also heard that it is better to break a motor in on regular oil and then switch to synthetic on the first change. Any and all input is appreciated with reps. Thanks, discuss...

[Black4DrEK]

Put some regular oil in it.
unplug distributor.
Turn the motor over, with no spark. (cycles oil threw)
plug the dizzy back.
Start it up.
Let it warm up to operating temperature.
Give it some revs.

Check oil level again. You might need to add more oil. Since it was a fresh, dry engine.

Depending on what setup it is and if you have some type of basemap for it. you can drive it around the streets. JUST to make sure everything is legit.

Do a fresh oil change after that. with the oil of your choice, the oil you will use for the rest of it sweet life.

Then get a TUNE.

If the setup is high compression, with cams, injectors, ect.. Just do the fist start up precedure I said. Then get a TUNE ASAP, dont drive it around.




This is what I do. There are many different ways other folks want to do it. Every engine I have put together has been done like this.


Gl with everything man! I LOVE starting an engine up for the first time. A smile from ear to ear. haha

[G.C]

i heard running the engine hard thing before. and saw a video of it where a guy pulls the piston out and show us the difference. Deff the engine that ran hard looked cleaner.

[bluevolv9del]

the interstate is the best way to break one in.

[integra82786]

Sorry, should have been specific on the build. It's an ls/vtec with b16 pistons, gsr head port and polished, factory size ferrea 3 angle valves, crower stage 2 cams with skunk2 cam gears, skunk2 intake, 70mm throttle body port matched on the intake, and a password jdm intake, smsp long headers, and ws2 exhaust.

Should I tow it to the tune shop or is it safe to drive with the gears at 0 degrees?

[Starrfire]

the interstate is the best way to break one in.

Not this

[Starrfire]

Put some regular oil in it.
unplug distributor.
Turn the motor over, with no spark. (cycles oil threw)
plug the dizzy back.
Start it up.
Let it warm up to operating temperature.
Give it some revs.

Check oil level again. You might need to add more oil. Since it was a fresh, dry engine.

Depending on what setup it is and if you have some type of basemap for it. you can drive it around the streets. JUST to make sure everything is legit.

Do a fresh oil change after that. with the oil of your choice, the oil you will use for the rest of it sweet life.

Then get a TUNE.

If the setup is high compression, with cams, injectors, ect.. Just do the fist start up precedure I said. Then get a TUNE ASAP, dont drive it around.




This is what I do. There are many different ways other folks want to do it. Every engine I have put together has been done like this.


Gl with everything man! I LOVE starting an engine up for the first time. A smile from ear to ear. haha

This

[.:Stirfry:.]

on dyno, track or back roads, BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF IT. with a already good clutch at least lol. then put your good one in.

[EmminoDaGreat]

Put some regular oil in it.
unplug distributor.
Turn the motor over, with no spark. (cycles oil threw)
plug the dizzy back.
Start it up.
Let it warm up to operating temperature.
Give it some revs.

Check oil level again. You might need to add more oil. Since it was a fresh, dry engine.

Depending on what setup it is and if you have some type of basemap for it. you can drive it around the streets. JUST to make sure everything is legit.

Do a fresh oil change after that. with the oil of your choice, the oil you will use for the rest of it sweet life.

Then get a TUNE.

If the setup is high compression, with cams, injectors, ect.. Just do the fist start up precedure I said. Then get a TUNE ASAP, dont drive it around.




This is what I do. There are many different ways other folks want to do it. Every engine I have put together has been done like this.


Gl with everything man! I LOVE starting an engine up for the first time. A smile from ear to ear. haha



Great idea, except you should disable fuel so you dont wash the rings out...

Start it...
Warm it up...
TUNE it...
all day...

When you're done change oil, and drive her. Been doing it this way for many motors make 400+hp. But to each his own..

[Black4DrEK]

^^ yea that too... I was thinking since you unplug the dizzy the Injectors wouldnt fire..

But yup. This is the way it should be done..


And to the OP. I would do the whole start up process, Then take it to get tuned asap.

[chunky]

Great idea, except you should disable fuel so you dont wash the rings out...

Start it...
Warm it up...
TUNE it...
all day...

When you're done change oil, and drive her. Been doing it this way for many motors make 400+hp. But to each his own..

That's more or less how I do it.

- start it, warm it up for 20 min
- change oil
- build cylinder pressure via WOT throttle up to 50-60% of redline. Engine brake down to create vacuum. Do this about 4 times in 3rd or 4th gear and your rings are seated.
- change oil
- tune

I like to do the two oil changes to get all the break in wear metals out of the motor before I tune & hit VTEC. The important thing is to build sufficient cylinder pressure AND vaccum as soon as possible. If you wait too long, the cross hatch on the cylinder walls will have been worn down before the rings can seat.