Hopefully I will soon be picking up my tt and wanted to know what Todd and Stephen think about breaking the engine in. It has new Carillo rods, head studs, etc...

There is so much speculation about proper break in so I wanted to know what you guys thought.

Thanks!

 

Stephen recommended to me that I vary the load, and heat cycle, for the first 300-600 miles, while keeping the engine below 4500 rpms and refraining from spooling the turbos. Kevin (Ultimate Motorworks) told me that it is CRITICAL to not idle the car during the first 60 minutes. Rather, he recommended that I drive the car for 60 minutes immediately upon starting it for the first time, and vary the load/rpms between 40 and 60 mph, but without exceeding 4500 rpms. Dan (Speed Gallery) recommended that I change the oil after the first start, and again after the break-in is complete.

The following are some websites I found that address break-in procedures:

http://www.overboost.com/story.asp?id=1250
http://www.carcraft.com/howto/869/index22.html
http://www.ntnoa.org/enginebreakin.htm
http://www.enginesonly.com/break-in.html
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm


My plan is to start the car for the first time when traffic is not too heavy (3 am in Los Angeles), immediately drive to the freeway, and drive in the manner recommended by Kevin. I will use the gears, rather than the brakes, to vary the speed/rpms, in order to have a greater variance on the load. I plan to drive for a minimum of 60 minutes on the first drive. At the completion of this first drive, Dan will change the oil. Thereafter, I will drive in a similar manner for approximately 600 miles, then have Dan change the oil yet again.

Craig

 

Maybe this is a dumb question but they don't break in the engines on the dyno before giving you the car? How do they give you dyno charts and make sure the engine is what you asked for if not? Just curious. I was given green light by my tuner to drive my engine like an animal from day one, I also changed all internals.

 

My engine was rebuilt at IA, while the rest of my car remained back at SG in Los Angeles. Therefore, IA could not break-in the engine on their dyno.

Craig

 

I understand, thanks, you must be very excited!

 

Since you're re-using the old pistons, rings, cylinders, cams, and lifters most of the parts are already worn in fairly well.

 

If your pistons and rings are the old ones and the cylinders have NOT been honed and the main bearings have not been changed then you should be ok from day one.

If your rings have been changed or cylinders honed follow Kevins advise. Another thing that helps to not destroy a new set of rings is to heat cycle the motor a few times. To do this drive the car (as per Kevins recomenditions) get oil and water up to temp. Pull over and let the car cool down (couple coffees) and repeat the process anywhere from 3-10 times. This will not be a break in but a REALLY good way for the rings to begin their life.

 

I have new rings and bearings.

Craig