Engine Break In Methods

[Rick]

How many of you guys break your engines in by driving it like you stole it at the very beginning? Or are you gentle with the engine for the first 1000 miles or so?

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

http://motorcycles.suite101.com/article.cfm/engine_breakin_controversy

http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/breakin.php

I've have usually broken in new engines in my cars and motorcycles (Exige S and M3) using the "drive it hard" for the first few miles/hours method. And then I vary the rpm while keeping a couple thousand revs under redline. I've had no problems. This method does seem like the recommended procedure for the Leopard as well.

[D. Harrington]

Rick,

They recommend breaking in a Leopard by running it hard initially? I haven't heard of that previously. We have typically been told to do 3 sessions with our engines with varying rpms....increasing max rpm each session....get some temp in the motor each session and let it cool down to the touch between each session.

[Rick]

Well I'm not sure if it is hard for a kart on a racetrack. But revving up to 10,000 RPM (I think the manual recommends going up to 12K) isn't really taking it easy either. I definitely don't use 15% throttle when I do it. I usually just roll on the throttle (60%+ throttle) until it gets up to 10000 RPM. In a car, most people are putzing around at probably 20% throttle most of the time. This is probably even more true in something that has substantial power like the Z06. And there are a lot of similarities such as revving up to 10000 RPM and then lifting and repeating that process. I was just wondering if the goal (to seal the rings) was the same. Also would driving the TAG engine hard (WOT up to 10K) be good? Would it seal the rings better?

[Rick]

Another article on the subject:

http://www.ntnoa.org/enginebreakin.htm

[JET Karting - Andy Finke]

I'm not positive, but I think ring/cylinder material is different between the Leopard and Z06. Definately the 3 10 minute sessions are the way to do it for the leopard. Leopards aren't supposed to last as long as car engines either though.

Bottom line, I'm not sure I'd worry about similarities between the two.


Andy

[Jeff Salak]

With a kart.

1st) heat cycle-6000-8000 rpms get up to temp 140

2nd) heat cycle 8000-10000 temp to 140

3rd) heat cycle 10000-12000 temp to 140

Allowing temp to cool down completely before each heat cycle.
This is what my engine builder does, Johnny West. Then puts it on Dyno and looks at HP and torque. Then looks for any improvments he can do. He is always amazed at how much more Hp the Sonik has over the other Tag engines. Guess thats why I have to be 30#'s heavier than a Leopard.

[Rick]

The goal for both is to seal the rings right?

[Jeff Stamper]

You also have to keep in mind the clearences you are looking at ! Whats the clearence on a car engine speaking of piston to wall ? Now whats the same measurment on a kart motor ? I broke in my Rotax as directed by Rotax and its great now. 1 - 15 min session at about 140 degrees and never go over 7500 rpm's and then let it cool for a while and go back out at 140 degrees at no more than 9000 rpm for another 15 mins. Then let it cool and have at it. I took it one more session at about 150 degrees at 11000 or 12000 for 15 mins. Just old school I guess. We used to break in our old macs by running one tank (7 Qts) of gas and oil through them at about 5000 to 7000 rpm's before we started running alcohol through them. They were bad ass fast like that ! Everyone has their ideas. My dad was a GM Mechanic and GM Rep later on and he always said when you buy a new car, drive it like your going to drive every day !

[LikeStig]

I thought of this thread when I was in Marinello Today, where Ferrari's are made. I saw some of the cars going on their test drives before they're sent out; and on the drives they drive them like they're stolen. Its either they were having alot of fun, or it doesnt matter.

[Rick]

Lucky bastard! Did you buy any Ferrari gear? Pics?

[LikeStig]

Yea. I've got alot of stuff to upload and this internet here sucks. Here's a link to my photobucket.

http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb312/kyleprokup/?action=view&current=IMG_1200.jpg

[avmaviator]

Yea. I've got alot of stuff to upload and this internet here sucks. Here's a link to my photobucket.

http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb312/kyleprokup/?action=view&current=IMG_1200.jpg

Europe is lame.