Rebuilding shortblock

[boost_dependent]

my engine will be all back together by the end of the month and i need to know if it needs to be broke in before I get on it. It is just going to be a stock rebuild with bored .20 over with 2g pistons. If I need to brake it in... is there a certain process I need to follow? What type and or brand of oil should I be using in my new motor? Please let me know.

thanx

 

[1gE.T.]

Yes break it in. There are several posts I think already but alot of people say to go easy on it for 500-1000 miles and use cheap oil at first and change it often to look for metal peices.

 

[markmakeitso]

I've heard change the oil before 500 miles after a rebuild, then after that use synthetics. Also avoid cruising at one RPM for extended periods of time, it can build a lip in the cylinder bores that catches the piston rings. That's about all I can think of for a shortblock, I believe the 3 big break-in issues are oil changes, cylinder walls, and valve seats.

 

[98TsiAWD]

Use Valvoline non-synthetic oil for the break in. There is a nice thread on dsmtalk about engine break-in. Ill see if I can find it.

 

[Defiant]

At this point, there's much more myth than fact to breaking-in engines.

From what I can figure, the bottom line is that is just doesn't matter as much with the materials and accuracy levels of common parts and machining methods today, compared to as recently as twenty years ago.

Just having the sense to ask the question shows that you know more than to hurt it- they're steel and iron. Tough stuff. Relax about it.

 

[BUCK]

It is just going to be a stock rebuild with bored .20 over with 2g pistons.

Be very careful with your early tuning - that's where the potential is for damage here IMO with those 2G pistons - I've always at least changed the filter after the first 500-1000 miles or so - even in a brand new car - & you could make a practical case to run dino oil for 500-1000 before you change to Synthetic. You never know about an initial post overhaul Oil Cooler leak or Turbo Oil leak or something - kind of a shame to spill Synthetic all over the place as you chase leaks.

 

[Gooberlog]

Originally posted by BUCK
you could make a practical case to run dino oil for 500-1000 before you change to Synthetic. You never know about an initial post overhaul Oil Cooler leak or Turbo Oil leak or something QUOTE]
I agree 100% but what about factory filled synthetic oil like the EVO8

 

[dsmturboawd]

Originally posted by Defiant
At this point, there's much more myth than fact to breaking-in engines.

^exactly^

take my .02 for what its worth. once the motor is done, start it up. dont dick around with it and watch it idle. just let it warm fully up and go drive it like its a normal day. dont go easy on it, dont beat on it, just drive the damn thing. 20 miles later, come back and change the oil.

it is in my opinion that the rings seat within the first 20 miles. after that, its broken in. im very against going easy on it, especially for 500 miles.

thats how i do it.

 

[Darktalon92]

break it in by driving hard, not easy.

 

[gsxtacy]

This is what you do.

Drive it normal. Get on it a little, not WOT through 4 gears, but WOT in 1st, and some into 2nd, and moderately in 3rd. a few times. JUST LIKE YOUR GONNA DRIVE IT.

No quarter mile passes, just accelerate briefly like normal.

Then change the oil and use whatever kinda oil you have intended for its life.

Nuff said.

GSXTACY

 

[dls93tsi]

take my .02 for what its worth. once the motor is done, start it up. dont dick around with it and watch it idle. just let it warm fully up and go drive it like its a normal day. dont go easy on it, dont beat on it, just drive the damn thing. 20 miles later, come back and change the oil.

I agree...on my fresh motor, I drove it fairly hard on back roads where my rpms and speeds fluctuated a lot, so my rings seated, then at 20 miles i changed the oil. I am using castrol non synthetic for the break in (1000miles) and then switching to full synthetic. I've had no problems with the motor yet....just everything else breaks on the damn thing...

 

[ITSME4G63]

Originally posted by dls93tsi
I agree...on my fresh motor, I drove it fairly hard on back roads where my rpms and speeds fluctuated a lot, so my rings seated, then at 20 miles i changed the oil. I am using castrol non synthetic for the break in (1000miles) and then switching to full synthetic. I've had no problems with the motor yet....just everything else breaks on the damn thing...

did you switch to a 6 bolt?