[4doorbmwpower]

how long do the professionals recommend that our turbos be driven around on (less spirited) until we can really start tearing into them.

[neilvosko]

500 mls

[trbolexis]

Why 500 Miles? I was not aware of any 'break-in' period for turbos. Please elaborate.

[nailer335]

If I were breaking in new turbos, I'd start on a stock map and gradually work my way up to going WOT. Then gradually increase boost from there, going to a 12-13psi map for a few weeks, then 14-15psi for another few weeks, then if you want or used to run meth or e85 get into that after a while on the "lower" boost maps. I don't consider myself to be of professional caliber FWIW, the above just kind of seems to be more of a cautious common sense approach. I'd like to know too, because my wastegate rattle is terrible and the car has been pushed very hard on the same set of turbos for 77k miles now, so I'll be in the same boat soon enough.

[E92TTKING]

new turbos are pre spun from factory
Tear whenever you want

[jmb85]

Originally Posted by E92TTKING

new turbos are pre spun from factory
Tear whenever you want

same thing dealership told me

[onebadmofo]

Tear 'em up as soon as your engine warms up

[Tony@vargasturbotech]

Originally Posted by 4doorbmwpower

how long do the professionals recommend that our turbos be driven around on (less spirited) until we can really start tearing into them.

Turbos have no real break in period per say. The reason you have to break in a motor is to seat the rings etc. Turbos have no rings that need to be seated. What some, not all do have it what is called a carbon dam, which is a groove right above the piston ring groove on the turbine side. Oil gathers in this groove and the heat of the exhaust cokes this oil and turns into carbon and it helps the turbo seal by letting less oil actually reach the turbine side piston ring. A few blasts on the highway building some heat is usually enough to get the carbon dam going. Whenever we build a turbo we fill the groove with a petroleum based grease so they can coke right away. Besides that don't worry about it, they are good to go.

[nailer335]

Nice, good information. Thank you.

[shaginwagon13]

Originally Posted by Vargasturbotech

The reason you have to break in a motor is to seat the rings etc.

A little off topic, but its been noted that babying a new engine actually hinders performance. Once the car is warm from idling, going WOT right away almost instantly seats the piston rings to the cylinder wall for optimal performance.

The reason for this, is a new engine has microscopic peaks and valleys in the metal no matter how well its lathed (which is why compression on a new engine is low compared to when its 'broken in').

Going WOT right after its warm, shaves the peaks from the cylinder wall creating to rings to seat properly instantly. Babying a new engine actually doesn't allow the piston rings to seat properly.

[Bigtimekegger]

Originally Posted by shaginwagon13

A little off topic, but its been noted that babying a new engine actually hinders performance. Once the car is warm from idling, going WOT right away almost instantly seats the piston rings to the cylinder wall for optimal performance.

The reason for this, is a new engine have microscopic peaks and valleys (which is why compression on a new engine is low compared to when its 'broken in').

Going WOT right after its warm, shaves the peaks from the cylinder wall creating to rings to seat properly instantly. Babying a new engine actually doesn't allow the piston rings to seat properly.

Off topic but this is correct.

[Gugs]

Even more off topic is that in today's modern age engines are "broken-in" and ran before they are even placed in the vehicle itself.
So it makes no difference.

[Redrkt503]

Originally Posted by Gugs

Even more off topic is that in today's modern age engines are "broken-in" and ran before they are even placed in the vehicle itself.
So it makes no difference.

I believe they are talking built motors, not factory

[4doorbmwpower]

Originally Posted by Vargasturbotech

Turbos have no real break in period per say. The reason you have to break in a motor is to seat the rings etc. Turbos have no rings that need to be seated. What some, not all do have it what is called a carbon dam, which is a groove right above the piston ring groove on the turbine side. Oil gathers in this groove and the heat of the exhaust cokes this oil and turns into carbon and it helps the turbo seal by letting less oil actually reach the turbine side piston ring. A few blasts on the highway building some heat is usually enough to get the carbon dam going. Whenever we build a turbo we fill the groove with a petroleum based grease so they can coke right away. Besides that don't worry about it, they are good to go.

just what i was looking for thanks again brother, you have done a lot for our community already. And maybe Ill give you some low millage turbos to put your stage 2 on sometime. but ill probably put some good miles on my brand new ones 1st

[shaginwagon13]

Originally Posted by Gugs

Even more off topic is that in today's modern age engines are "broken-in" and ran before they are even placed in the vehicle itself.
So it makes no difference.

I was referring to built motors or motors taken out of a car to have their cylinders bored and machined.