GT500 engine break-in period

[dcdoug]

I'm a newbie. I have read a lot of differing opinions on engine break-in. Does anyone have recommendations on engine break-in on the 2007 GT500?

[Bogey1222]

Got mine in Nov. Rev limited for about 50-75 miles. After that, move over.........

[NeilBerry]

I'm a newbie... Does anyone have recommendations on engine break-in on the 2007 GT500?

Opinions cover a wide range:
Minimal: "Cars Today do not need the same ring break in that older cards needed. Just drive it and change oil and filter regularly"

Extreme: "Drive the engine a few nundred miles at 35-40 mph. Change the oil and replace the filter with one that has a magnetic ring. Send the old oil out for analysis of metal content. Drive the engine 1000-2000 miles at a variety of legal speeds to allow the rings to seat in the cylinder. Change the oil and filter. Send the old oil out for metal content analysis. Install a powered pre-oiler so you can oil the engine before starting it, also install an oil accumulator so the oil does not lose pressure during driving. Start driving at high RPMs by using a lower gear, and sometimes use a high gear to cause lower RPM under load. This will gently introduce the engine to RPM ranges. Change the oil and filter; then anaylize the old oil. Continue oil changes regularly."

My approach on my 2001 SVT Cobra: "Drive at a variety of speeds during the first 3000 miles. Change the oil regularly. Get the oil inspected [aluminum engine]"

[dcdoug]

Would you change oil more often at the begining than the MFR recommended interval (assuming typical driving)? Also, I was planning on keeping it under 4,000 rpm for the first 1,000 miles (although that is painful to do). Are you saying that is not important? (I also read elsewhere that some say to redline it periodicaly to set the rings). Any idea what Ford recommends?

[dcdoug]

So I called Ford Performance and this is what they told me: For all of our supercharged cars going back to the Cobras from a few years ago, we recommend just varying the RPMs regularly for the first 1,000 miles. Don't worry about limiting revs, just don't drive it at a constant RPM for long periods of time on the highway. City driving is best.

[NeilBerry]

Would you change oil more often at the begining?

Are you saying that is not important?

I also read elsewhere that some say to redline it periodicaly to set the rings?

Any idea what Ford recommends?

All I can really say is why people hold different views.

If you change the oil early, then you remove oil that is possibly holding more metal frasgments. Some people want to remove all fragments early. Some people want the fragment to assist in wearing-in a new engine.

Setting the rings involves causing the rings to become slightly out-of-round and make the cylinder to become slightly out-of-round in the same pattern. This causes the rings to maintain the same alignment, and not rotate around the piston. Rotation of the rings is likely to cause ring failure. Setting the rings is really about trying to get the rings locked down. Driving the car in a fashion that is gentle enough/but also forceful enough to allow the rings to 'grove'/'break in'.

Some people hold that going to redline is an important part of seating the rings.

Maybe you should call Ford or SVT if you want the offical opinion.

[dcdoug]

Thanks!!

[dsabldvt]

I have 2500 miles on mine. I changed the oil at 2000 miles. I went on a 200 mile trip when I had 400 miles on it. I got on it from the very first and it went to redline at about 1200 miles when I put it on the dyno. It runs just fine and all the stuff about break-in is just bunk! The engines today are made of such high quality mtls that they really don't need a break-in period. I haven't broken in a car for probably 15 years and all I know is that the harder I drove them the better they ran. I think if you baby the car and set the rings and valves that way, that is the way it will run and perform. I have 127,000 miles on my f-350 V10 and I never broke it in and drove it hard from the start. I have never had a tune and it still runs like new and uses no oil. I made sure I always changed the oil as required. The GT500 is built to scream and that is what it does best.

[gassyr]

Sure, we want them to scream, but for a long time! :huh: Of course, when I finally get mine(due to arrive at the dealer on Wed.), I don't expect to put very many miles on it(all good weather miles, hopefully), so it should be good for years. I know I won't be able to keep my foot off the floor, but I'll drive it reasonably most of the time, and the oil will get changed regularly. I, too, think that's the best method for longevity. :beer: I had a '96 snake conv. I bought new and lost it when my house burned in '03 and it had something over 3,000 miles on it then. I banged the gears regularly, but also drove it to hear the noise at low speeds. That was one great car!