Break In Questions

[AlphaWolf1993]

Basically, I plan to do a full build, from sleeved block to forged internals to head work to turbo kit, etc. My main concern is, when should I get it dyno'd and tuned? Should I fully put the entire thing together and then get it tuned to the full power possible, or just half power or w/o boost entirely? I plan to make 600+ if possible. My concern is in the break in, I don't believe it's a smart thing to push everything to the max without a break in period, I was thinking put some boost, minimum possible until it's broken in and then bring it back to get re-tuned for more power? Or will the forged internals be strong enough to just throw it to full power?

I apologize for the obsessive questioning on break in, but this is the first engine that I'll be doing ALL of the work for by myself. Thanks.

 

[AlexD]

What youre trying to do during break in is ring seating.

put everything together, make sure everything is good to go, throw it on the dyno and rip on it while letting the engine come down on its own (i.e not putting it in neutral).

 

[hgocasca]

Ring seating is key, and is usually complete within 50miles, unless you're like me, and get rock brand rings with the chrome top ring, which apparently takes up to 10k miles to fully wear in, I think that's crazy, but that's what the rep told me

 

[Samurai_Blue]

Ring seating is key, and is usually complete within 50miles, unless you're like me, and get rock brand rings with the chrome top ring, which apparently takes up to 10k miles to fully wear in, I think that's crazy, but that's what the rep told me

i would say the ring seating takes place between 20-xxxx depends on when all cylinders have compression

 

[hgocasca]

Fair enough, I agree with that. I seemed to have peak power and performance right around 1500-2000 miles according to the butt dyno

 

[AlexD]

Ring seating does not take that long. You can do it right on the dyno and I HIGHLY doubt you go that far on the dyno.

 

[hgocasca]

True true, but it's definitely a highly debated subject.

 

[AlexD]

Watched my buddy seat his rings on the dyno a little over a month ago, took around 10 pulls.

 

[DaddyBuiltRacing]

read: http://www.laskeyracing.com/shop/breakin.htm

 

[AlphaWolf1993]

Another question, what about the clutch? It'll be a high level clutch and I won't be able to break it in before bringing it to the dyno...I know clutches usually have a 3k+ break in...what should I do for that?

 

[hgocasca]

Uh, they're usually 500 miles, but you should be fine, or just do a base map, low power, on an old clutch or an oem clutch. Then swap the good clutch in and run it gently til it's broken in, then once it's broken in go back and get the good tune.

 

[AlphaWolf1993]

What's the worst that can happen? It's always going to engage really hard anyway...at least that's the way I'm looking at it.

 

[hgocasca]

Slipping and or shortened lifespan

 

[ALL M0T0R]

beat on it.

 

[Spawne32]

i always stand by two key points when breaking in

1) warm up process, which is essential, you want to get the car up to normal operating temp, letting it run for like 20-30 minutes, let it cool down, and drain that first oil out, and change the filter. break in oil is specifically formulated for this process.

2) regular oil, and drive the car, if your just tuning the car as you go, gradually work into it making sure that your afr's are safe, but its important here to beat on it, and get those rings to seat and the rest of the new metal to wear in. theres no special precautions i would take for oil, whatever your gona use from here on out. The only thing i would do after this process of beating on it, would be to change the oil again after 100 to 250 miles to get any left overs from the break in process out of the system and start clean.