[zx9rmal]

I'm sure there are threads on this, but the search function is not working at the moment.

Most of my engine break in and maintenance experience comes from 40+ years of owning high performance motorcycles. I've used similar methods for my cars.

That being said, I'm not big on typical OEM break in instructions. I think they are somewhat conservative. I've always performed an aggressive but CAREFUL break in.

For example, with my ZL1, easy driving for the first 100 miles. Then getting into the throttle up to about 50%, keeping the rpm's at 4K and under. At 200 miles, bring up the rpm's to 4.5K and also use compression braking. I'm at 400 miles now and I'll do some pulls to 5K rpm's and use a little more throttle.

Of course, all of this is at a light load, in lower gears, without lugging the engine at very low rpm's. I don't let the boost get much into positive. Oil change coming at 500 miles.

For you engine guys, any thoughts on this or suggestions? Thanks.

[SFV1LE]

This sounds fine, assuming you will always get oil fully warmed 200F+ prior to any boost or revs over 3000.

[SlikZL1]

Broke mine in as hard as I could for the first 500 miles. 56xx miles now, making 749/772 bolts and meth only. I drive my car pretty spirited and it uses little to no oil between my 3k mile intervals. IMO, break engines in hard and they do great. Every vehicle I’ve had has gotten that treatment.

[Scottyz]

Originally Posted by SlikZL1

Broke mine in as hard as I could for the first 500 miles. 56xx miles now, making 749/772 bolts and meth only. I drive my car pretty spirited and it uses little to no oil between my 3k mile intervals. IMO, break engines in hard and they do great. Every vehicle I’ve had has gotten that treatment.

I drove my car hard from the beginning also. My oil usage is very very minimal. Past vehicles purchased new over the years were dealt with the same way and lasted long durable and reliable lives.
I think there is a thread stating the break in procedure for our cars with the LT4 and the break in procedure for the LT4 crate engine. The procedures if I recall correctly are different. With the crate engine being driven harder in the break in.

Hell, when I picked up my car at the dealer, the sales lady and myself took it to fill the gas tank. The car was sideways for about a half block

[SlikZL1]

Originally Posted by Scottyz

I drove my car hard from the beginning also. My oil usage is very very minimal. Past vehicles purchased new over the years were dealt with the same way and lasted long durable and reliable lives.
I think there is a thread stating the break in procedure for our cars with the LT4 and the break in procedure for the LT4 crate engine. The procedures if I recall correctly are different. With the crate engine being driven harder in the break in.

Hell, when I picked up my car at the dealer, the sales lady and myself took it to fill the gas tank. The car was sideways for about a half block

Absolutely! I cruised mine about 20 miles and at 23 miles on the clock, that joker was balls out!

[Scottyz]

[LT4Greg]

I was easy on mine even though it had 422 miles on it when I bought last March. Don’t know how the original owner drove it but I decided that I would break it in easy just to ease my mind! The drive home for 300 miles I drove sensibly mainly because it was raining most all the way and I was getting adjusted to a supercharged car. Mal, sounds like you are doing the break in period right for your ZL1 too!��

[BlaqWhole]

I babied mine for the first 1500 miles with exception of 2 occasions with each lasting no more than a few seconds.

[Gunkk]

Here is the Chevy Performance LT4 crate engine break-in guide. Since #1 to 5 are done at the factory, we start at #6:

[zx9rmal]

Originally Posted by SFV1LE

This sounds fine, assuming you will always get oil fully warmed 200F+ prior to any boost or revs over 3000.

Absolutely. Easy driving until after temp gauge reads normal operating temperature.

[zx9rmal]

Originally Posted by Gunkk

Here is the Chevy Performance LT4 crate engine break-in guide. Since #1 to 5 are done at the factory, we start at #6:

Thank you for posting this. Time to start getting on it.