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Thread: Breaking in a new motor and Synthetic oils

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Posts: 1-4 of 4
2012-03-26 09:43:49
#1
Breaking in a new motor and Synthetic oils
Just curious, how long after a new engine has been running is it advisable to switch from mineral to synthetic oil?

I'm thinking once the motor is broken in the rings have sealed and synthetic should be good to go?

In my case I'm running a built bottom end and have just dyno'd on mineral oil after +/-1000km or around 625miles.
2012-03-26 09:55:25
#2
As soon as the breakin is over.

Definitely dont want to use synthetic on breakin.

All you need for a break in is a couple heat cycles. For n/a i recommend varying rpm not exceeding 4500-5k.

I like to do my breakins with low rpm heavy load to expand the rings tight against the wall to allow the rings to break in properly. You can also do reverse loads on it by letting the motor decelerate the car as well.

For boost again heavy load low rpm. You want to let the boost break in the rings as that is what the motor is going to see so best to expand the rings with heavy loads but keeping it under 5k.

Give it about 3-5 full heat cycles warming up to operating and completely cooling repeating the break in process each cycle and then change the oil and again to whatever your wanting to use.

Ive had nothing but great results doing it this way on every motor Ive built.
2012-03-26 16:34:41
#3
Thanks ashton. Yeah break in is complete so I think I'll switch to a synthetic on my next oil change.
2012-03-26 17:15:20
#4
If you are aggressive with the break-in it can be done in 100 miles or so. 500 miles is the typical, and I've seen some take longer. The way to really tell is if the compression numbers have stabilized (like you said). Once that happens, go ahead with the synthetic.
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