Breaking in my engine

Member ID
#36487
Messages
6
Likes
0
#1
Hello. I have a 2016 st. It has a stage one remap and ITG induction kit. The engine is goosed so im installing a new one..

With the new engine I am adding an upgraded intercooler (STAGE1) a bigger radiator, the turbo has been overspooled, and turbosmart waistegate..

My questions is about breaking the engine in.

Should I leave off the new upgrades until the engine is broken in? And can I break the engine in with an overspooled turbo that has not been tuned? Im worried about damage to the engine and/or turbo

Any help is appreciated
 


Member ID
#32322
Messages
268
Likes
202
#2
There's 2 rules of thoughts when breaking in engines; first is to just let her rip, not always the best.. and secondly is to assemble the motor as it's intended to run and be gentle on the throttle for the first 1k miles give or take
 


SteveS

1000 Post Club
Member ID
#12296
Messages
1,622
Likes
1,948
#3
All engines should be broken in the same way. Initial start and run with gentle throttle for a short drive. Shut down, allow to cool, then check fluids, for leaks, and that everything is still snugged up tight and correctly (belts, wires, etc.) Then for the next 500-1000 miles essentially drive relatively normally but no redline operation and no sustained operation at constant same rpm. These miles should also include plenty of firm but not flat out acceleration, then coast back down, accelerate again, coast back down. This should happen in middle gears--2nd-4th--and when there's no traffic around that you will bother. This kind of acceleration is what best seats the rings. Driving too gently will actually lead to an engine that burns oil because the rings never properly seat.

At this point, if it was a one-off engine that was hand machined and assembled, as is typical of boutique performance engines, the treatment differs from modern factory assembled engines that come in cars you buy off the showroom floor. They advise continuing to drive until the regularly scheduled oil change mileage--anywhere from 6000 miles to nearly 10,000 mils-- before the first oil change. But on an individually built engine you would now change the oil after the initial 500-1000 miles.
 


Member ID
#3446
Messages
151
Likes
141
#4
A lot of what SteveS stated was included in Break-in 101 written by pelotonracer2 over ten years ago. I pretty much followed his advice to the letter and all these years later my little 2015 beast still runs like new (only ~22k on the odometer.) If interested, here's the link:
https://www.fiestastforum.com/threads/drivetrain-break-in-101.1659/ This guy's an engineer who's had a lot of experience w/ engines and knows what he's talking about.
 




Top