How To Break In Your Engine.

TheUNZippee! · October 15th, 2008, 10:40 AM

This is one of the oldest debates in the automotive world.

Some believe that keeping the rpm under 3000 ad taking it easy is the correct way, while others believe you should vary the rpm and drive it hard.

I personally believe it should be driven hard, without taking it near the rev limiter.

Anyway, I compiled a few different links on this subject for those interested.

Proper engine break in.

Racing Engine Break-In Procedure - Break-In Basics - Stock Car Racing Magazine

Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

New or Rebuilt Engine Break In

CanadianDriver: Auto Tech - Breaking in a New Vehicle

Converting to AMSOIL and Engine Break in Process

Discuss. And please feel free to add any other links or articles you come across on this subject.

03_StangGuy · October 15th, 2008, 10:54 AM

I support the idea of driving it as you normally would, rev to 4 grand a few times. Reason being the cylinder pressure allows the rings to wear properly against the fresh cylinder hone and form a good seal. If you take it to easy the hone is worn down and the rings arent shaped properly which will decrease the seal and cylinder pressure and cause a loss of power. Having studied linkage motion and lubrication I know once the engine is running the only contact is between the pistion rings and cylinder walls. Thats the only part of the engine that needs to break-in.

stangnewb · October 15th, 2008, 10:56 AM

Drive it like you are pulling a bank heist every day! Worked for all my cars, no problems whatsoever. Most claim that the engines are broken in from the factory anyhow.

fdjizm · October 15th, 2008, 11:23 AM

i have been driving my car normaly and hard at times since it has 31 miles on it. i believe in getting it used to running how your going to run it , if your going to drive like grandma then sure keep it under 3k rpm, but then again if you are dirivng like grandma why are you in a mustang lol

SUHLeen · October 15th, 2008, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by stangnewb

Drive it like you are pulling a bank heist every day! Worked for all my cars, no problems whatsoever. Most claim that the engines are broken in from the factory anyhow.

That is what I've heard. Not sure if it is for stock cars/engines but most engine builds get ran for a little bit and get "broken in"

Black Baby II · October 15th, 2008, 12:08 PM

"Drive It Like You Stole It"

Bhblondguy · October 15th, 2008, 12:30 PM

I drove mine like I stole it...but I got it used

Trick Tuners · October 15th, 2008, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Black Baby II

"Drive It Like You Stole It"

Yeah, the mototune way is what i believe in. They have good data to back up their method.

TheUNZippee! · October 15th, 2008, 12:37 PM

Agreed^.

06RedfireGT · October 15th, 2008, 12:43 PM

Mine saw a buck thirty the night I got it.

TheUNZippee! · October 15th, 2008, 12:50 PM

07 STROKER · October 15th, 2008, 01:15 PM

ive owned quite a few new vehicles and every one i have drove "normally" since day one. Never had an issue with an engine, now when i say normally...I mean anywhere from 5 to 30 over the posted limit. Ive never taken special precautions to break in an engine...Even my 2008 duramax I just got this spring, on day 5 i was in seattle picking up a 22 foot larson fishing boat and towed it all the way back. I think there was 1300 km on the clock when I got there...then did a 1300 km tow from seattle to Alberta

1FUN4RD · October 15th, 2008, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by stangnewb

Drive it like you are pulling a bank heist every day! Worked for all my cars, no problems whatsoever. Most claim that the engines are broken in from the factory anyhow.

I have been told they are tested at the factory. They run them up to the red line for X amount of time.

mrbigjeep · October 15th, 2008, 01:38 PM

just dont drive at a continuous speed and you should be good.

i think it has a lot to do with breaking in the camshaft...as in wearing in the cam lobes.

TheUNZippee! · October 15th, 2008, 01:41 PM

It has everything to do with seating the rings properly with the cylinder walls.

DeMello · October 15th, 2008, 01:44 PM

maybe someday ill have an engine that needs to get broken in

07 STROKER · October 15th, 2008, 01:44 PM

ill properly seat my rings to your walls.......

DeMello · October 15th, 2008, 01:46 PM

ew

07 STROKER · October 15th, 2008, 01:48 PM

its a canuk thing Demello...you wouldint understand

DeMello · October 15th, 2008, 01:49 PM

October 15th, 2008, 10:54 AM	#2
03_StangGuy I Poop Entirely Way Too Much Blown 03 GT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 6,914 iTrader: 0 reviews	I support the idea of driving it as you normally would, rev to 4 grand a few times. Reason being the cylinder pressure allows the rings to wear properly against the fresh cylinder hone and form a good seal. If you take it to easy the hone is worn down and the rings arent shaped properly which will decrease the seal and cylinder pressure and cause a loss of power. Having studied linkage motion and lubrication I know once the engine is running the only contact is between the pistion rings and cylinder walls. Thats the only part of the engine that needs to break-in. __________________

October 15th, 2008, 10:56 AM	#3
stangnewb Regular 2008 Mustang GT Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mauldin, SC Posts: 329 iTrader: 0 reviews	Drive it like you are pulling a bank heist every day! Worked for all my cars, no problems whatsoever. Most claim that the engines are broken in from the factory anyhow. __________________ 99 Miata - FFS coldside supercharger (5psi), cobalt header, RS catted midpipe, borla muffler 89 LX 5.0 - BBk air intake, 75mm Maf, 70mm TB, TFS intake, GT40p heads, F303 Cam, 24lb injector, FPR, GT40p header, BBK O/R H, super 44 catback

October 15th, 2008, 11:23 AM	#4
fdjizm Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 453 iTrader: 1 reviews	i have been driving my car normaly and hard at times since it has 31 miles on it. i believe in getting it used to running how your going to run it , if your going to drive like grandma then sure keep it under 3k rpm, but then again if you are dirivng like grandma why are you in a mustang lol __________________ 08 GT/CS 5spd C&L Racer CAI, Steeda UDP's CMCV Deletes, UPR O/R X-pipe 3.5" Aluminum DS, Stock 3.31's 1/8 th: 8.258 - 84.87 1/4 th: 12.853 - 107.31

October 15th, 2008, 12:08 PM	#6
Black Baby II Regular 2007 GT / CS Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SC Posts: 332 iTrader: 0 reviews	"Drive It Like You Stole It" __________________ Paxton 2200 SL, BBK Equal Length Shorties, Pypes Off Road X, Corsa Axle Back, Hurst Short Throw, J&M UCA / LCA / Adj Pan Rod, BMR Drop / Relo Brkts, FRPP STB / 4:10's / Diff Support / Hot Rod Cams, SCT Brenspeed Tuned, + other stuff Cammed Crew #2

October 15th, 2008, 12:43 PM	#10
06RedfireGT One Man Wolf Pack 2006 Mustang GT 13ish....maybe Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Regulatin On Some OGs Posts: 22,490 iTrader: 2 reviews	Mine saw a buck thirty the night I got it. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

October 15th, 2008, 12:30 PM	#7
Bhblondguy Hardcore Enthusiast 2005 Mustang GT 12.00@114.82 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baytown, Tx. Posts: 1,234 iTrader: 0 reviews	I drove mine like I stole it...but I got it used

October 15th, 2008, 01:15 PM	#12
07 STROKER MM's resident Juice head 07 Mustang GT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: PA Posts: 7,920 iTrader: 0 reviews	ive owned quite a few new vehicles and every one i have drove "normally" since day one. Never had an issue with an engine, now when i say normally...I mean anywhere from 5 to 30 over the posted limit. Ive never taken special precautions to break in an engine...Even my 2008 duramax I just got this spring, on day 5 i was in seattle picking up a 22 foot larson fishing boat and towed it all the way back. I think there was 1300 km on the clock when I got there...then did a 1300 km tow from seattle to Alberta __________________ The MGW short throw shifter Its not just a shifter...It's a lifestyle!

October 15th, 2008, 01:38 PM	#14
mrbigjeep I Post Entirely Way Too Much 04 mustang gt 7.21 @ 98 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: upstate sc Posts: 5,923 iTrader: 1 reviews	just dont drive at a continuous speed and you should be good. i think it has a lot to do with breaking in the camshaft...as in wearing in the cam lobes. __________________ cams + 150 shot

October 15th, 2008, 01:44 PM	#16
DeMello Banned Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 3,947 iTrader: 1 reviews	maybe someday ill have an engine that needs to get broken in __________________ Just Another Bolt on GT [IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/54f5ua.jpg[/IMG] Stock Longblock - 287/276 Low 12s NA! 10s on the spray?

October 15th, 2008, 01:46 PM	#18
DeMello Banned Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 3,947 iTrader: 1 reviews	ew __________________ Just Another Bolt on GT [IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/54f5ua.jpg[/IMG] Stock Longblock - 287/276 Low 12s NA! 10s on the spray?

October 15th, 2008, 01:48 PM	#19
07 STROKER MM's resident Juice head 07 Mustang GT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: PA Posts: 7,920 iTrader: 0 reviews	its a canuk thing Demello...you wouldint understand __________________ The MGW short throw shifter Its not just a shifter...It's a lifestyle!

October 15th, 2008, 01:49 PM	#20
DeMello Banned Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 3,947 iTrader: 1 reviews	__________________ Just Another Bolt on GT [IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/54f5ua.jpg[/IMG] Stock Longblock - 287/276 Low 12s NA! 10s on the spray?

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Ford Mustang Forum Advertisement

Threads Similar to: How To Break In Your Engine.
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Break In?	e3sean	5.0 Mustangs	43	January 21st, 2008 02:19 PM
Will this break anything?	06RedfireGT	The Clubhouse	12	November 9th, 2007 11:28 PM
Should I Break in my New Car's Engine?	jhbfour	2005 - 2010 V6	17	October 27th, 2007 03:53 PM
How long to break in engine?	slrvstang2007	2005 - 2010	29	October 8th, 2007 08:21 AM
Break in	jonnotch	5.0 Mustangs	7	May 27th, 2007 07:39 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:11 PM.
Contact Us - Modded Mustangs : Ford Mustang Forums - Privacy Statement - Top
Modded Mustangs is ©2005-2008, All Rights Reserved, And is Not Affiliated with Ford Motor Company. Forum is powered by vBulletin ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Ent. Ltd. & SEO by vBSEO 3.3.2 ©2009, Crawlability, Inc.