proper ingine break-in period

[CrazedZ32Owner]

how should i drive my TT around with it having new ring seals and a Head Gasket..... i have read some places to baby it and not to exceed 55 MPH other sources have told me downshifting when deccelerating helps the seal seat properly can anyone shed some light on this for me??

[Z-owned]

Your going to get a bunch of different opinions on breaking in a engine. Some say let it idle for 20 minutes and then your good, well others I have seen say to baby it for a thousand miles. Really the seals aren't an issue your just breaking in the new rings mainly making sure they mate to the cylinder wall properly which doesn't take to long. Downshifting is a good idea but should be something you do anyway.

[CrazedZ32Owner]

i do downshift.... thats half the fun of owning a M/T car

like i said im just trying to get different opinions

[robomatic12]

I've heard letting it high idle at like 2k rpms for 20 mins. Then until you hit the 500mile mark don't touch WOT, don't go over 4-5k rpms. Don't let it idle or stay at the same rpm for a long time. Keeping the engine at different rpms is key. After 500miles I would start taking it a little bit higher until I'd say around 800-1000miles you are in the clear. I would do an oil change around then incase there's any metal particles.

[CrazedZ32Owner]

mmk TY

[es.biggs]

I'm rebuilding my NA and getting ready to drop it into my car soon...I spoke to John @ Z1 and asked what he does when breaking in a new engine:

1. Idle for 15-20 mins. Change oil and filter (O&F)
2. Drive until you hit 25 miles. Change O&F
3. Drive until you hit 50 miles. Change O&F
4. Drive until you hit 100 miles. Change O&F
5. Drive until you hit 250 miles. Change O&F

Then, happy Z-ing

The initial startup and idle, then oil change is to mainly remove the metal shavings. After that, the heat cycles are what really seat the rings, going from cold to hot to cold to hot, etc.

That's what he told me and I think it sounds about right.

[robomatic12]

Holy oil changes batman. I think most car manufactures run the factory fill until about 6k for their first LOF. Personally I change it after 500kms and 1,000kms, then get onto regular 5k changes or whatever you want.

[Chattzx]

I'm rebuilding my NA and getting ready to drop it into my car soon...I spoke to John @ Z1 and asked what he does when breaking in a new engine:

1. Idle for 15-20 mins. Change oil and filter (O&F)
2. Drive until you hit 25 miles. Change O&F
3. Drive until you hit 50 miles. Change O&F
4. Drive until you hit 100 miles. Change O&F
5. Drive until you hit 250 miles. Change O&F

Then, happy Z-ing

The initial startup and idle, then oil change is to mainly remove the metal shavings. After that, the heat cycles are what really seat the rings, going from cold to hot to cold to hot, etc.

That's what he told me and I think it sounds about right.

God that is sure not gonna be cheap by any means

[es.biggs]

I get oil half price from my last job should be like $60