My "break-in" plan - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

NicksVSix · 04-20-2014, 11:08 PM

Hey guys,

I know this has been discussed to death, and I've read a lot of different opinions on this matter.
My plan for my new 2LT is basically to drive it according to the OM suggestions for the most part, but every now and them take her out on the high way to gently put her through her paces at high speeds.

My commute to work is a short one, an 8km drive, where my top speed is usually 80-90km/hr. I don't want that to be what the break-in period driving it limited to, hence the highway driving just to load the engine a bit.

Thoughts?

Hannibal · 04-21-2014, 07:12 AM

OK, I'll bite.

I've been around a looong time. Longer than I care to admit. The best running engines I've ever owned were all broken in hard. Drive it like you stole it, kid. That's the best break-in advice I have ever received. That was in 1966.

Now, let the debate begin.

Avenging Orange · 04-21-2014, 03:25 PM

Just drive it. Everyone will have a different story. I personally broke mine in via dino oil and a 5000 mile trip on Route 66. Your city drive then hiway work drive will be fine. Just have fun.

Baer383 · 04-26-2014, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannibal

OK, I'll bite.

I've been around a looong time. Longer than I care to admit. The best running engines I've ever owned were all broken in hard. Drive it like you stole it, kid. That's the best break-in advice I have ever received. That was in 1966.

Now, let the debate begin.

agree^^^

I drove my ZL1 around just to break in the rings (300 miles),then I pulled the blower,heads and everything down to the short block and built it up from there you can see the result below,OH it only has 850 miles on it.

Evergreen6 · 04-27-2014, 09:21 PM

I think it's a good idea to get out and drive it. OP- your commute to work is pretty short, barely long enough to get things to seat at operating temperature for a while, so I think it's good to go enjoy it on some back roads or a few runs that involve some freeway. Just don't beat on it. That's been my approach with new cars (I've had a few) and it's worked well for me.

Indydriver · 04-28-2014, 08:53 PM

Opinion 1001: Go somewhere safe where you can accel/decel/accel/decel. That'll set the rings just fine using whatever RPM limit you like. If you want to respect the GM engineers and start at 4000, that's fine.

You'll work it up soon enough. The most important direction in the manual is avoid steady state speeds (like highways). Keep it running up and down the rev range and your engine will be happy and ask for more.

NicksVSix · 04-28-2014, 10:58 PM

Ok, odometer is currently sitting at 330 km...I punch it whenever I can once the engine is warmed up. I've taken it up to 5000 rpm on a few occasions, but the I let off the gas when that happens.
Maybe I'll take a longer route to and from work for the next few days.

Any tricks for when it's an automatic? Should I use the paddle shifters to control my RPMs more?

Indydriver · 04-29-2014, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicksVSix

Should I use the paddle shifters to control my RPMs more?

Yes.

Ragnar · 05-06-2014, 01:10 PM

Nothing like an excuse to drive!!!!

Indydriver · 05-06-2014, 06:16 PM

I'm at 900 miles now and feel like it is broken in. I'm going to change the oil at 1000, then it's going on the dyno in 10 days so it's basically set to go.

yellowz · 05-08-2014, 01:56 AM

IMHO, basically follow the break-in procedure in the manual, but start out easier than it dictates, and after halfway through, start violating the RPM limits, just a bit, and not for long. As you get more like 75 percent to the end of the break-in period, violate the limits a bit more and run it a bit harder than suggested, but not for long.

Then as you reach the end of the break-in period, about 90 percent of the miles needed, start just driving it like you want to, but keeping the recommended RPM and speed limits in mind.

This is sort of a compromise between the "drive it like you stole it" break-in and the manufacturer's break-in procedure. I think they do have that break-in advice for a reason, but on the other hand, they do have a safety zone built in to their break-in to accommodate guys like me and you that can't wait to drive it a little harder.

A few violations here and there won't hurt, but these cars are not like the old ones and driving it like you stole it from the git-go might not be a good idea.

Most importantly, you are not just breaking in the engine, but the whole thing, transmission, drivetrain, suspension, brakes, and everything else in the car is getting broken in for the first time. Keep that in mind.

04-20-2014, 11:08 PM	#1
NicksVSix Drives: 2014 2LT Red Rock Metallic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 1,082 View My Garage	My "break-in" plan Hey guys, I know this has been discussed to death, and I've read a lot of different opinions on this matter. My plan for my new 2LT is basically to drive it according to the OM suggestions for the most part, but every now and them take her out on the high way to gently put her through her paces at high speeds. My commute to work is a short one, an 8km drive, where my top speed is usually 80-90km/hr. I don't want that to be what the break-in period driving it limited to, hence the highway driving just to load the engine a bit. Thoughts? __________________

04-21-2014, 03:25 PM	#3
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	Just drive it. Everyone will have a different story. I personally broke mine in via dino oil and a 5000 mile trip on Route 66. Your city drive then hiway work drive will be fine. Just have fun. __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

04-28-2014, 08:53 PM	#6
Indydriver Drives: '14 2SS/RS Vert 6M/KTU/NPP/DTA/ARH Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,826	Opinion 1001: Go somewhere safe where you can accel/decel/accel/decel. That'll set the rings just fine using whatever RPM limit you like. If you want to respect the GM engineers and start at 4000, that's fine. You'll work it up soon enough. The most important direction in the manual is avoid steady state speeds (like highways). Keep it running up and down the rev range and your engine will be happy and ask for more. __________________ Consensus is, by definition, a lack of leadership.

04-28-2014, 10:58 PM	#7
NicksVSix Drives: 2014 2LT Red Rock Metallic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 1,082 View My Garage	Ok, odometer is currently sitting at 330 km...I punch it whenever I can once the engine is warmed up. I've taken it up to 5000 rpm on a few occasions, but the I let off the gas when that happens. Maybe I'll take a longer route to and from work for the next few days. Any tricks for when it's an automatic? Should I use the paddle shifters to control my RPMs more? __________________

05-06-2014, 06:16 PM	#10
Indydriver Drives: '14 2SS/RS Vert 6M/KTU/NPP/DTA/ARH Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,826	I'm at 900 miles now and feel like it is broken in. I'm going to change the oil at 1000, then it's going on the dyno in 10 days so it's basically set to go. __________________ Consensus is, by definition, a lack of leadership.

04-21-2014, 07:12 AM	#2
Hannibal Drives: Camaro SS & ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Southeast USA Posts: 527	OK, I'll bite. I've been around a looong time. Longer than I care to admit. The best running engines I've ever owned were all broken in hard. Drive it like you stole it, kid. That's the best break-in advice I have ever received. That was in 1966. Now, let the debate begin.

04-27-2014, 09:21 PM	#5
Evergreen6 Banned Drives: 2023 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: United States Posts: 1,586	I think it's a good idea to get out and drive it. OP- your commute to work is pretty short, barely long enough to get things to seat at operating temperature for a while, so I think it's good to go enjoy it on some back roads or a few runs that involve some freeway. Just don't beat on it. That's been my approach with new cars (I've had a few) and it's worked well for me.

05-06-2014, 01:10 PM	#9
Ragnar Destroyed by flooding Drives: Wife's car Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4,672	Nothing like an excuse to drive!!!!

05-08-2014, 01:56 AM	#11
yellowz TREMEC6060 1-2 needs fix Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Lynnwood WA Posts: 79	IMHO, basically follow the break-in procedure in the manual, but start out easier than it dictates, and after halfway through, start violating the RPM limits, just a bit, and not for long. As you get more like 75 percent to the end of the break-in period, violate the limits a bit more and run it a bit harder than suggested, but not for long. Then as you reach the end of the break-in period, about 90 percent of the miles needed, start just driving it like you want to, but keeping the recommended RPM and speed limits in mind. This is sort of a compromise between the "drive it like you stole it" break-in and the manufacturer's break-in procedure. I think they do have that break-in advice for a reason, but on the other hand, they do have a safety zone built in to their break-in to accommodate guys like me and you that can't wait to drive it a little harder. A few violations here and there won't hurt, but these cars are not like the old ones and driving it like you stole it from the git-go might not be a good idea. Most importantly, you are not just breaking in the engine, but the whole thing, transmission, drivetrain, suspension, brakes, and everything else in the car is getting broken in for the first time. Keep that in mind. __________________ Asimov's Fourth Law of Robotics: If you don't know what else to do, wave your arms and run around in circles.