break in question

[motor602]

if you didnt follow the proper break in procedure is there anything you can do to rectify the situation? I was never aware to drive and the different RPM's for the 200 mile periods, the dealer just said to keep it under 70 and avoid full throttle for 600 miles.

 

[46hemi]

Motor,
For starters, never post that you didnt follow strict break in procedures in a forum full of potential buyers

I have often wondered about this as well. I have heard from several engine builders that the engine break in is way overblown (no pun intended). "Break it in hard and it will run hard" is a phrase one said, and these are VERY respectable (although non-Viper) engine builders in the northeast. I have also heard from many people who didnt follow the break in, and have never experienced any problems. Can anyone shed some technical light here?

 

[SPARKY]

I SAY ITS ALL HORSE....! HOW MANY CARS ARE ON THE ROAD AND HOW MANY OF THEM WHEN THE PERSON WENT TO BUY THEM THE GUY TOLD THEM TO DRIVE IT GENTLE FOR 700 MILES? NONE. YOU WOULD THINK THAT A VIPER MOTOR IS STRONGER THAN A HONDA, TOYOTA, GM, FORD YOU GET THE PICTURE!

 

[pdmracing]

I went to the Porsche & Ferrari Factories recently, & they both said that the engines are dyno run & require no brake in. The Porsche engine guys said that they had to put the break in stuff back into the owners manual to stop people from calling the dealership. The Tires, brakes, & gears however do have a break in period that varies between 80 miles to 500 depending on manufacturer.

On a personal note, on my race cars, other than cam break in, I do a few laps @ 1/2 throttle & bring it in & check for leaks etc. Then by the 3rd session I hammer it & have never had a problem. My race engines require rod bearing changes every 30 race hours & we have never had a failure using this procedure.These are porsche engines.

 

[garolittle]

Maybe it depends on the particular Viper. Just like a woman ... some of them can be broken-in quickly and some of them need a detailed break-in process.

 

[Don Hiltz]

While this may not be absolutely germane to the question, I contacted Arrow Racing after my '94's engine was rebuilt.

I was told that I was proabably the only person who adhered to the break-in procedures. The author told me to take the car and run it any way I wanted.

 

[46hemi]

I wish I leased the Viper then I could give it the same break in period as my other cars.

Break in period ends when you can no longer see the salesman waving in the rear view mirror.

 

[joe117]

If the rings seated and there is no oil consumption you probably did about as much break in as was really needed. It would have been better to do the whole procedure but if you are having no problems now, you probably didn't do any damage. I don't think there is anything you can, or need to do at this point.

 

[motor602]

thanks joe, im not having any problems so i guess that a good thing. thanks everyone for your input

 

[GTS Bruce]

Break it in hard and fast and it will run fast.True.But it will probably not be a tight motor.May need earlier servicing.Do it the right way and it will probably not use any oil till its over 100,000 miles.But who puts that many miles on a Viper or race motor?I do a ridgid break in on all personal street driven vehicles.I'm one of those that drives them till the frame cracks or the floor falls out.Still have a 2.8 s-10 blazer hanging around.(1986).Started to use some oil at around the 120,000 mark about 5 years ago. Bruce

 

[LETHAL GTS]

I'm glad to see this post, because I was wondering if a Viper motor was different from all the other motors I have broken in.
"Break it in the way your gonna drive it", is how I've always done it and have been happy with the results.
Of coarse you need to keep an eye on everything in case there is a problem with any of the components.
There is no way I could drive one of my Vipers for 2000 miles without putting my Bigfoot into it.
We rebuild many engines here at my Dealership, most are large diesel engines, but we put them on the dyno right away to break them in under load. If you don't work them, the rings won't seat properly.
I think driving your new Viper or fresh rebuild reasonably hard is good for it. Just ease into it, that's all!