How to break in a motor?
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: DFW/Waco, TX
How to break in a motor? I wanted to see yalls opinions. Which do you think is better, to baby the car and not get on it much till after 1k or 2k miles, or to be breaking it in right off the lot? I just wanted to see what your opinions are. 
glad to see you got the ride issue fixed.....was it a spun rod bearing?
Anyways, this is a subject that has tons of opinions and personally, i would take it easy for 500-1k miles. Change the oil and take her up, gently. IF all is fine, oil pressure, temp, oil level..etc.
On the next chance you get, drop the hammer and have fun...safely and without breaking any laws of course!!!!
Anyways, this is a subject that has tons of opinions and personally, i would take it easy for 500-1k miles. Change the oil and take her up, gently. IF all is fine, oil pressure, temp, oil level..etc.
On the next chance you get, drop the hammer and have fun...safely and without breaking any laws of course!!!!
The first thing to consider is the "why"...previous combustion engine technology employed cast iron rings with coarse honing on the cylinder walls to make the seating process work. Flat tappets and cams needed time to mate with one another to ensure the proper surfaces were developed to promote lifter rotation/oiling. In an LS1 the rings are thin, low-pressure, and use smoother cylinder walls...not much seating needed here. Roller lifters preclude the need for seating them to the cam.
Bottom line....an LS1 engine should be ready to run "out of the crate". Care should be taken with the initial light off to ensure the timing is correct and there are no fluid leaks, but after that the engine is as "broke in" as it ever needs to be.
Bottom line....an LS1 engine should be ready to run "out of the crate". Care should be taken with the initial light off to ensure the timing is correct and there are no fluid leaks, but after that the engine is as "broke in" as it ever needs to be.
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 800
Likes: 1
From: Simi VAlley,CA
I warmed mine up, shut it down, checked all the levels, looked for any leaks and then lowered the hood. I agree with CharlieLed.....he is right on the money.....if you assembled it right there is no such thing as "break-in". I just drive mine like a rental car!
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Originally Posted by hpjunky98
i thought ls1s were not officialy broken in until 50k
I prefer the light work til the first oil change (100 miles using Dino Oil) and then run like it like you normally do.