Breaking in built engine - Turbo fitted or not?
 

Quick question guys. Assuming there will be bits of metal in the oil from first start to first oil change when breaking in my built engine, would it be wise to break in the engine with a standard manifold set up and the turbo removed?

I have FMII hardware and the thought of bits of metal (irrespective of how small) going through the turbo scares the pants off me!! or am I worrying for nothing?

Could a small inline filter be fitted between the oil feed on the block and the turbo?

Grateful for any advice......

Barry

I would never start the engine....as soon as you start it there will be stuff floating in the oil and will quickly ruin all of your hard work.

Install the turbo.

You will want a lower setting than you plan on running, untill you know the tune is close.

The boost pressure will help the rings load and seat.

How I did it -

1) Put everything on it (turbo, etc). Fill with straight-grade oil (SAE30, used Rotella T1 from Walmart)
2) Pull relays/fuses and crank until you see oil pressure (10-30 seconds)
3) Put relays/fuses back in, start, idle until it's reasonably warm (a few minutes tops)
4) Change oil (put SAE30 again)
5) Break in as per Flyin Miata instructions
6) Change to conventional oil after like 20 miles (used Rotella T5 from Walmart)
7) Raise rev limiter to where it should be after like 200 miles
8) Rape it??? Change to synthetic anywhere after 500 miles (used Rotella T6 from Walmart)


edit: obviously every oil change is filter change as well.

Brilliant advice!!

Are you suggesting going into boost from the start?

Thanks, my engine builder gave me enough break in oil for 2 oil changes, I was pretty much going to follow this procedure - http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I was more concerned with bits of metal getting into the turbo, but I guess it will be ok......

Barry

assuming you have a good tune already

put turbo on and run all of it

Cheers Bud, I have a good tune to 15psi on my existing engine so it should be fine.....

Oil filters filter stuff out so you don't have to worry about oil flakes in the turbonator.

Yep the motorman break in, Pretty much the same thing I have been doing since 1992

If your tune is solid for 15psi, run with it.

If you have an inline oil filter for the turbo, make sure you change it often during brake in too. A friend of mine with a built EVO fried a turbo b/c he didn't change his inline filter after a engine build, it got clogged and oil starved the turbo.

oil filter inline to turbo is fail.

if turbo dead from metal you have other big problems prepare to die

I drove around with my wga disconnected for the first 400 miles or so, then I changed the oil, hooked it back up and had fun.:2cents:

With the good tune, run all of it. Go make a few fun runs well beyond the speed limit to really get some heat and pressure into the cylinders.

I think I had my car on the track the first time after like 250-miles. My sister had her car on track at 75 miles, lol. Both engines are great, her MSM is heavy.

Thanks for the info, I now know what I will be doing; turbo fitted and those rings will be well seated in the first 20 miles!!

The breakin procedure for my engine:

mile 0: FM breakin instructions
mile 75: change oil, drive to work and back a couple times
mile 150: hit the dyno, make 264 at the wheels
mile 300: roll into paddock at Laguna Seca for track day

--Ian