I have a recently rebuilt b18c1 out of a 2000 Integra GSR. It's nothing special, mostly OEM-strength parts. I have seen a lot of differing opinions on the break-in period needed for this motor ranging from 1000 miles to 10,000. Currently my plan is to run it about 9000 miles using proper break-in techniques (up and down through the rev range, not letting it idle too long, not riding the revs too high, etc.) with an oil change at 1k, 3k, 6k, and 9k using Honda genuine synth blend 5w-30 initially, and switching to 5w-30 full synth at the 6k oil change.

I've had a few people tell me that I'm being overly cautious with my break-in, and others tell me there's no such thing. I can't get a straight answer from my local Honda dealers or the shop that did the rebuild. Opinions?

 

Everyone has there opinions on engine break ins. However, 9000 miles is far more than I've ever heard. I believe 3000 mile break in is the most I've heard of. If it's a DD then there's no harm in a 1000-3000 mile break in. If its a track car then dyno break in and then ***** out. But you definitely need to change the oil before 1000 miles though. And use non-detergent oil. Make sure you have a magnetic drain plug also to catch all the fine metal pieces that will accumulate during the break-in.

 

Alright, well I just hit 500 miles so I guess it wouldn't hurt to get some oil on the way home haha.

 

IIRC I did oil changes at 100, 500, 1,500 and 3,000 miles using driving techniques similar to what you're describing. I used a cheap-o conventional 5W30 up until the 3,000 mile change then went to 0W30 Mobil 1.

It's been running like a top since then (28k mi. ago) with oil changes every 10k. I've considered sending a sample off to Blackstone Labs for their used oil analysis but decided not to as it's just a D16 on commuter duty. The "big" motor will get oil analysis done after break-in.

 

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

 

12.5:1 daily driven d16a6, followed the mototune technique basically, with oil change at 20 miles with lots of acceleration and coast down in gear to seat rings. Then changed oil again at 1k miles with nothing over 3/4 throttle or max rpm. Runs like a champ at about 16k miles now

 

I did some work that required me to drain my oil around the 100-150 mile mark, so it sounds like I'm more or less on track for setting up a solid dd.