Best oil & break in procedure for LS3
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Best oil & break in procedure for LS3 Just completing cam & head install on 2015 Camaro and want the latest info on best oil to use for break in and what is the best break in procedure. Cam is Cam motion Low lash solid roller. 236/244 646/646 with crower rocker arms and Trick flow heads. I've heard to not use synthetic for break in period. Is that T or F? Also, how many miles for break in? Any suggestions?
Absolutely do not use synthetic! I always either use Comp or Joe Gibbs break in oil. If not available, I use Rotella-T for the initial break in. After that, I use standard 10/30 for about 1000 miles. Then I switch over to synthetic.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 255
From: Coast of San Mateo County Between Pacifica & HMB
I use AMSOIL Break In Oil (Non Synthetic 1200 PPM ZDDP).
I would look at the Monotunes Break in procedure.
Load is critical for rings to seat (less so for heads and cam on
Existing engine) After fluids are up to temp Minimum 170*
preferably 190*+ Oil and water before loading.
500 miles should be more than enough if done correctly.
My .02
I would look at the Monotunes Break in procedure.
Load is critical for rings to seat (less so for heads and cam on
Existing engine) After fluids are up to temp Minimum 170*
preferably 190*+ Oil and water before loading.
500 miles should be more than enough if done correctly.
My .02
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Yes. Stock bottom end. Cam and heads only. Sounds like the consensus is to get at least 1K on it before exceeding 3,500 RPM. If that's the case, how do I tune it when I need to get some info at WOT for a good tune? I can't roll around for 1K miles w/o a tune.
Trending Topics
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 131
Likes: 2
You didn't re-ring the motor? There shouldn't be any special break in procedures if the Pistons/rings haven't been replaced. The cam is a roller cam....no break in requirements. Put some good synthetic oil in and run the bitch!
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
I used royal purple engine break in. I don't think it matters as long as it's designed for the purpose. You will pay more for certain brands, but I don't think they are better because if it.
As stated, it's for ring seal and extra lubrication. Just a cam swap? Just go.
As stated, it's for ring seal and extra lubrication. Just a cam swap? Just go.
With what you did, I would put a regular oil in it, drive it home and maybe a 2nd heat cycle on it, and change back to whatever you normally use. Just don't leave that oil in there long, you had the motor apart and if any dirt or anything along those lines, gasket material, etc. made it's way in you want to get that out of there.
I agree no break-in oil required for heads/cam swap and first oil change should be a short one.
There should be a heat cycle or two for the new(I assume) valve springs on the new heads, right? This would be done before any driving or load on the engine and kept below 2000 RPM I believe.
There should be a heat cycle or two for the new(I assume) valve springs on the new heads, right? This would be done before any driving or load on the engine and kept below 2000 RPM I believe.
Restricted User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
Likes: 109
From: Ohio
These aren't old flat tappet cams. There isn't a break-in. You can fire it up and go out beating the **** out of it and its not going to hurt anything.
But in all honestly, I would throw cheap oil in it and drive it around for 100 miles or so (normal driving). Not to break it in, but make sure you've got all of whatever lube/grease you used when installing the cam mixed in with the oil so you can change it. No point in wasting good synthetic for 100 miles. If you still have old oil in it from before the cam swap, just leave that in there and change it later.
But in all honestly, I would throw cheap oil in it and drive it around for 100 miles or so (normal driving). Not to break it in, but make sure you've got all of whatever lube/grease you used when installing the cam mixed in with the oil so you can change it. No point in wasting good synthetic for 100 miles. If you still have old oil in it from before the cam swap, just leave that in there and change it later.
Right on with no break-in required for the cam and such.
But the last couple sets of aftermarket springs I installed(these were BTR duals) insisted heat-cycling for the valve springs. Am I reading too much into that?
But the last couple sets of aftermarket springs I installed(these were BTR duals) insisted heat-cycling for the valve springs. Am I reading too much into that?
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, FL
Reading comprehensionis the ability to read text, process it, and understand its meaning.[1]dumAlthough this definition may seem simple; it is not necessarily simple to teach. An individual's ability to comprehend text is influenced by their traits and skills, one of which is the ability to make inferences.
Reading comprehensionis the ability to read text, process it, and understand its meaning.[1]dumAlthough this definition may seem simple; it is not necessarily simple to teach. An individual's ability to comprehend text is influenced by their traits and skills, one of which is the ability to make inferences.
I tried.
