new engine break-in period
 

Hey guys...

What is the proper break-in period for a bran new Renesis motor....vs a rebuilt motor??

Is it wise to put the turbo and other power mods back in right away or wait for a while and drive her stock??


Opinions??


Thanks


Adam

im completely uninformed, but i'd wait at least 1k miles.

I'd reccomend Racing Beats instructions.... i dont have a link handy, but its out there somewhere... and i certainly wouldnt boost it until its broken in unless you have purpose built the engine for the track and intend to inspect/maintain it very anally

lots of good info on this on the racingbeat.com site.

beers :beer:

RX-8 Break-In

Mazda's Guidelines

The Mazda RX-8 Owners Manual lists the following information for the break-in period of a new vehicle:

"No special break-in is necessary, but a few precautions in the first 1000 KM (600 miles) may add to the performance, economy, and life of your Mazda.

- Don’t race the engine.
- Don’t maintain one constant speed for long.
- Don’t drive constantly at full-throttle or high engine RPM for extended periods of time.
- Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
- Avoid full-throttle starts."

A review of the Mazda RX-8 Service Manual Highlights revealed the following information regarding break-in:

"A fluorocarbon resin coating has been added to the trochoid surface (rotor housing) for improved initial break-in."

Racing Beat's Guidelines

The Mazda guidelines are reasonable and prudent. If you have any questions or uncertainly regarding the break-in period, we suggest you follow these official recommendations.

We receive many requests for our recommended break-in procedures. The following are Racing Beat's recommendations:

- For the first 1000 miles do not accelerate under full throttle.
- During the first 1000 miles do not exceed 4000 RPM.
- For miles 1000-2000, expand the RPM upwards - but do not accelerate at full throttle.
- Over 2000 miles, full throttle and high RPM is acceptable.

In summary, our guidelines offer a progessive method to increase the working loads placed on the engine.

Oil Change

The Mazda RX-8 Owners Manual indicates that the engine oil and oil filter be changed every six (6) months or every 7500 miles, whichever comes first. Racing Beat supports this recommendation.

Mazda recommends the use of SAE 5W/20 with a quality designation of ILSAC or SL.

Source:
2004 RX-8 Owners Manual - pages 4-7 & 8-4.
2004 RX-8 Service Highlights - page 01-10-4

Mazda's 5w20 screwed a lot of people over, without them knowing it.

The only thing right is their SL recommendation. I dont really like SM, but most oil today are SM unless its really heavy weight.

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

this is the way i do it

That mototuneusa procedure looks interesting.

Many years ago I rebuild the engine in an old Chevy. Used Perfect Circle rings. The break-in procedure PC specified was (after warmup) to accelerate at full throttle from 20 mph to 50 mph (I think those were the speeds), then release the throttle and let it slow back to 20 under compression. Ten such cycles.

I did that. The engine ran well, and never used a drop of oil.

Ken

thanks for the answers guys...I am still not sure what I want to do since now i see the mototuneusa version...thats interesting and sounds like something I may want to do.

Hmmmmm




Adam

mototuneusa is for piston engines. I would suggest using Racing Beat's procedure. RB has been into rotarys for close to 35 yrs. I think they know a thing or 2 about them.

I just got my car back. They replaced the motor. They told me 500 miles as described, then.... and I quote, "drive it like I stole it". I only drive 8k miles a year. The Racing Beat method would take me 3 MONTHS! I don't think I could do that. I decided on a compromise. until 600 miles, I will not exceed 4k, full throttle or abuse the motor in any way. After that, it is back to normal.

Any thoughts?

i did 100 miles before boosting.

jeff does 20 miles before boosting.

I guess turbo is going on sooner than later!!!

Jeff's engine already had 47 miles on it before he put another 20.

Do you change the oil right away after the break in?