Break In Period

"Jesus Arias" (99pontiacfirebird)
03/13/2020 at 14:36 • Filed to: None

Good evening Oppo hope your Friday is going well! I am curious as to how many miles does a car need to have to be considered properly broken in. Because in an article I read on Jalopnik shows the C8 Corvette tachometer change after only 500 miles. Is that really enough?

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I got an engine rebuild on January of 2018 and have only put about 1,250 miles on my car. During that time I have been driving it slow (top speed of 55 mph) and limiting my rpms to 3000 tops. Every now and then I do hit 3000 rpms and I am waiting until I reach 3,000 miles before I take it really fast. Am i doing this right? A picture of my dad’s 1988 Pontiac Firebird TransAm GTA for your time.

DISCUSSION (22)

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Jesus Arias
03/13/2020 at 14:50

Break in period on a modern motor with modern tolerances is a totally different ball game than an older small/big block. As far as I understand it, the worst thing for a fresh motor is constant, unchanging revs and load. As long as you’re varying those you should be fine. As far as the period? I can’t imagine that breaking it in for longer would be bad in any way.

3point8isgreat > Jesus Arias
03/13/2020 at 14:51

I think the suggestions vary by manufacturer. My Veloster said to vary RPM between 2000-4000 rpm for the first 600 miles. I think i did the first oil change around 850 or 1000 miles (that’s like 2 days of commuting difference). I will admit to opening it up for a few seconds a few times before 600 miles though.

Jesus Arias > Jesus Arias
03/13/2020 at 14:51

January 2019 not 2018. I bought the car November 2018 and got confused.

Jesus Arias > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
03/13/2020 at 14:52

Well its an LS1 and I do make sure to change up what speeds I drive and what rpms I take it just not over 3000 rpms.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Jesus Arias
03/13/2020 at 14:53

Waiting for 3000 miles seems like a ridiculously long time. I considered 1000 miles appropriate but if BMW and GM thinks 500 miles is fine for their hi-po engines, 1000 miles may be unnecessary.

My 1000 miles may be from the olden days. Or maybe applies to old school engines?

Dropping it to 1000 miles may be good for you though - less of a psychological hurdle than going from 3000 to 500.

Jesus Arias > VincentMalamute-Kim
03/13/2020 at 14:55

So you think its good to take it fast now?

Jesus Arias > 3point8isgreat
03/13/2020 at 14:58

Lmao one time I did accidentally floor it when I was parked before I hit 1000 miles. It scared the shit out of me because I was trying to grab my backpack from the back seats.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Jesus Arias
03/13/2020 at 14:58

You’re fine.

oh yeah, change the oil now and you’re done with the break-in. Changing the oil at 1000 miles is probably better for the engine than breaking it in for 3000 miles and changing the oil then.

BeaterGT > Jesus Arias
03/13/2020 at 15:00

From what my engine- building friend has told me, you need to be varying RPMs and not be too easy on the engine or else the rings won’t seat correctly on the piston. I don’t know if this applies to all engines but I would start pushing your car a little harder .

Jesus Arias > BeaterGT
03/13/2020 at 15:02

I do vary the rpms but I dont drive it over 55 mph. Should I start driving over 55?

atfsgeoff > Jesus Arias
03/13/2020 at 15:05

Change the oil and filter and let her rip.

BeaterGT > Jesus Arias
03/13/2020 at 15:09

Personally, I’d change the oil and start ripping it.

Jesus Arias > atfsgeoff
03/13/2020 at 15:09

I already changed the oil and filter.

Jesus Arias > BeaterGT
03/13/2020 at 15:10

Already changed the oil and I will start ripping it.

My bird IS the word > Jesus Arias
03/13/2020 at 15:20

Break in is less critical on newer vehicles with better metallurgy:

Break in is still very important with old engines esp with flat tappett camshafts.

atfsgeoff > Jesus Arias
03/13/2020 at 15:24

Good to go then!

Chariotoflove > Jesus Arias
03/13/2020 at 15:29

This is a one in a million chance to post an otherwise thoroughly outdated video. Thank you.

Also, I’d say just drive your car and don’t worry about limiting the speed.

Jesus Arias > VincentMalamute-Kim
03/13/2020 at 15:30

I already changed the oil.

Jesus Arias > My bird IS the word
03/13/2020 at 15:31

Its an LS1 so is it considered newer?

My bird IS the word > Jesus Arias
03/13/2020 at 15:48

I would say so. I would still personally “break it in” but I wouldn’t overly concern yourself with mileage.

Speed > Jesus Arias
03/14/2020 at 13:42

You say ‘88 GTA, but it looks like an ‘89 TTA. Did he just build a clone or is that a typo?

Jesus Arias > Speed
03/15/2020 at 03:08

He bought it like that. Although the previous owner did have turbo badges on it so its probably a clone. Its naturally aspirated so its not a TTA.