running in a race engine.

[v8 jago]

How long should i run in a race engine for. I have total seal rings and aparently it says on the instructions that you just take them to the track and do your stuff. I have always been led to belive that you run an engine in for approx 500 miles. anyone know any diffrent or the correct way. I use the engine on the road. (sunny day driving).

[matt_fp]

If its correctly built it will only need very minimum running in (basicaly follow cam running in instructions) and it'll be done.

If its not a new cam then just go out and use it.

Matt

[350Matt]

When you say 'race' engine what is it exactly? most race engines are just tuned up road lumps which are rebuilt a lot more often.
The only reason for running an engine in is usually to avoid the excessive heat build up on the bearings and rings where they'd have high spots early in their life. If you're intending to pull it apart in a few hundred miles (or half a dozen races say) then just rag it from the start. If you want a reasonably long life out of it run it in as normal, using cheap oil for the first couple of hundred miles.
True purpose built race engines are so completly knackered at the end of their life you end up throwing most of them away.
The best race engines win the race and blow up on the slowing down lap - that way you know its not too heavy

Matt

[fergus]

as mentioned already, if you have a new cam, don't let the engine idle and you will take the lobes off the cam. Hold it around 2-2500 rpm for about 15 mins-30 mins.

IMHO, a well built engine should only need 50 miles/1 hour, or a couple of full heat cycles to run it in. Most bike engines that are excessively 'run in' are normally down on power and burn oil.

Just rag it with a crap mineral oil for 100 miles, then change to a fully synth and keep changing it regularly

[Boosted LS1]

Whatever you do, don't nurse it after the initial start up. It needs some instant throttle to get the rings to bed in and as said above the cams (if new) need lots of oil and revs for some 10-15 minutes at say 2500-3000 rpm. Have an assistant with you!

Boosted.

[v8 jago]

The cam is my old one that had done approx 150 miles. I am hoping to do about 150 miles maybe 200 before i give it some boot. so after reading diffrent views i think i should be ok with it now.

[Graham]

I've got to go through this before the race on 17th

bottom end rebuilt, lightened and balanced, block now cross bolted, new bearings, new rings and a hone plus a new cam and lifters.

Heads just cleaned up and stuck back in

Im not going to get much of a chance to run it before the test day on the say.

am i right in think the important thing is to not let it idle for the first 10-20 mins and also it needs some load on it?

Cheers G

( oh yes its a dry sump system)

[Boosted LS1]

Graham said:

I've got to go through this before the race on 17th am i right in think the important thing is to not let it idle for the first 10-20 mins and also it needs some load on it? Cheers G

Yes.

Fire it up and give it a quick burst of revs to bed the rings in, then keep the revs around 3k but vary the throttle a bit either way, use bursts of revs as well. What you are trying to do is keep the cam well oiled as it breaks in. That's said to take 15/20 mins or so. I often end up doing this in several increments while I check for leaks or anything amiss. You need the rings to bed in instantly before the bores get to much lube on them.

Boosted.

[v8 jago]

Graham ! Your name rings a bell...
Ive seen it in transmissions hav`nt i !! have you still got your samuri V8 ??

[Graham]

v8 jago said:

Graham ! Your name rings a bell... Ive seen it in transmissions hav`nt i !! have you still got your samuri V8 ??

yep Thats me

The v8 Samuri is still about in pieces. currently stored at my grans in scotland !!! but one day I'll have it back together. trouble is the list of cars to wokr on keeps getting longer and the sam slips to the bottom