I searched but couldnt find what I was looking for. I just got a new engine in my car and was wondering what the proper break in time is and how I should treat it...like shifting at a certain RPM and how long until I should go into VTEC. Thanks.

 

give it 1000 miles and keep the rpms low. Use common sense, and gradually increase the rpms as you get closer to 1000 miles, but stay away from hitting vtec.

 

Also, I was wondering about changing the oil. Should I do it before 3000? Also I want to go with synthetic...when do you guys think I should switch over??? Thanks

 

Yes if its a brand new engine ... change the oil after 500 miles ... put the fresh stuff in .. and new filter .. and take it easy up to around 1000 .. or for extra carefull .. keep taken it easy till say change the oil at a even 2k on motor.. and then floor the **** out of it (:

i built my b18b up .. and i drive my honda hard .... everyday (;

 

I beleive you shouldnt go above 3000 rpms until you reach 1,000 miles.. after that you should be good to go!

 

When breaking in a motor, you should change the oil every 250 miles. For the first 250, don't go above 4k, then increase to 4.5k, then 5k, then 5.5k. Fluctuate your speed/rpms a lot, and get into the gas a little bit to seat the rings. City driving is best for breaking in a motor, stay away from the freeways.

 

500 miles under 4000 rpm

 

Owners manaul says 1000 miles

 

Thats gross

 

Break in good, I dusted my last bottom end by not letting it break in properly! Now on my b18c I went easy, and no burnt oil.

 

just drive it normal.
Change the oil at around 1k miles or less. Don't listen to the so called break in oil that has to be there for 7-10k miles or so, usually by the salesman.
Check MotorTrend a few months back, on the Q&A section at the back part, they called this break in oil as BS when a reader inquired about it.

 

You want to use very thin oil when breaking in the motor.

 

the way i broke in my last rebuilt engine (old car- '93 celica gts) was as follows..

1st 250 miles- donot rev past 3.5k rpm, and use NON-synthetic light oil (i used 5w-30) when engine is finished and ready for start up.. after these first 250 miles you can go synthetic
2nd 250 miles- increase rev range to 4.5k rpm... try accelerating to about 50-60mph and then letting the car coast down (in gear) to 30mph, then repeat process.. change oil again
3rd 250 miles- increase rev range to 5.5k rpm although not revving it that high on a regular basis.. change oil
last 250 miles- increase rev range to 6k rpm (again, only a few times, not consistantly) and continue repeating the accelerate, decelerate cycle.. change oil one more time
after 1000 miles.. gradually push the car harder and harder for the next 500 miles, then you can beat the **** out of it

ran like a champ after that.. just like new


[Modified by fiebru1119, 1:06 AM 5/22/2002]