How many of you guys run absolutely no boost during break-in? And do you prop your wastegate open to do so? It seems to me that it would be very hard to do, especially for the bridgeport guys. It's hard enough to do on the stock turbo which wants to make boost at pretty low RPM, especially with the street port.

 

BlueT2 I'm going to be bulding my engine, first time and all just want to make sure I don't effect the engine life by not doing an effective breakin.



BDC good point I'll keep that in mind I won't know about the rotor bearings untill I get the engine apart. Did you mean tranny gears??





Thanks for the info fellaz



J

 

he meant stationary gear bearings. the gears that are bolted to the irons. they have bearings just liek the rotor

 

You wont hurt the motor doing a long gentle break in, it is just that if there is something that is clearanced/assembled wrong you may not find out until after break in when you finally get on it.



First break in I did very gradually and I had my turbo off. The break-in ScrapFC mentioned was just breaking in a new rear plate and I had the turbo on. It was a challenge to stay out of boost, literally.

 

This is the problem I'm dealing with.I don't think it's worthwhile to fabricate a header so that I could remove the turbo. I was just wondering if a little boost here and there would hurt anything.

 

if the bearings and housings are used, turn the car on, let it idle for a while, then drive the car. If everything checks out fine boost and enjoy.



there isnt really much to break in (when using used bearings and housings)

 

Probably not worth disabling the turbo. Rob said that was overkill, though I don't know if he anticipated my car getting into boost before 2,000rpm at ~14% throttle. Once I got the fuel dialed in more I could get around w/ under 10% throttle so it was easier to keep out of boost.



To disable the turbo I had a co-worker machine a round "plug" that bolted into the turbo exhaust housing instead of the CHRA and simply used block off plates for the oil and water fittings to the turbo. Simple.

 

Jdot,Dec 13 2004, 03:53 AM



Is it possible to break in an engine by letting it idle at 3 to 5k rpm for "X" amount of time?







For NA 12A race engines with carbon apex seals, 2 hours at 2000 RPM is fine. Then one lap shifting at 8,000 RPM then a lap at 9,000 RPM. Then race it shifting at 9,600 RPM.





Lynn E. Hanover

 

I'll most def do the 2hour @ 2k rpm, I can't do the laps though I have a FD. Most everything I've read has said to stay off of high boost durring the begining and the middle of break in.



again thanx for all the knowlege guys

 

If you are breaking it in w/ out the car moving at least run a garden hose over the oil cooler.



If your port isn't sideseal friendly keep those RPMs up (2,000rpm like you said) especially in the beginning.