Break in routine

[stevegt]

Yeah, and those race engines you speak of aren’t expected to go 150K, 200K or more while providing good reliability.

So, no thanks I’ll take a more conservative break in approach as all my engines have gone way into the 6 digit zone without any failures.

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[stevegt]

By the way break in is for more than just the engine.

 

[AC53]

Yeah, and those race engines you speak of aren’t expected to go 150K, 200K or more while providing good reliability.

So, no thanks I’ll take a more conservative break in approach as all my engines have gone way into the 6 digit zone without any failures.

Each person should definitely do what they feel is best for them and their car.

However, I believe you have it backwards, Henry Ford is quoted as saying, "Auto racing began five minutes after the second car was built." In fact, supposedly, the first "official " auto race in the US took place in 1895 between 6 cars. It was 54 miles long and took the winner 9-hours to complete with only two (2) cars still running at the end.

I would suggest that it is in fact racing and subjecting parts to race-like conditions that identify weaknesses and problems quickest and best. That is part of the "Racing improves the breed" attitude of many car manufacturers. Aside from several unique situations, in general, If a part can withstand the intense demands of racing competitively than it can do 150-200k without breaking a sweat on the street.

I can tell you from personal experience that race engines are subjected far more stress and strain and better built than any virtually showroom floor engine. Most cars of the 60's and before never got 150K on them without needing a rebuild. Today, like you say, 150-200K is expected and usually achieved. But the that is the result of subjecting the development vehicles to the rigours of racing and/or racing conditions to get that reliability. Back in the day, if you wanted a reliable drag car you usually put a Ford 9" diff in it. The Chevy and Mopar diffs would easily go 150k in dad's street car and even in their performance cars but put drag slicks on them, traction bars, etc., etc., and you wanted a Ford 9" backing you up on the strip. My E36 BMW M3 that took two National class titles (Autoslalom in 2008 and Time Attack in 2009) worked fine with its stock diff until I move up in class and started running the largest/stickiest race rubber allowed. The stock M3 diff (that can easily run for 150-200k on street rubber) would slip with the additional grip and power.

By the way break in is for more than just the engine.

Agreed, but it is the main item that needs attention. Far too many folks don't properly break-in their brakes, but the OP was focusing on the engine.

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