First time user... from NJ. How does an engine gain power after a few 1000 miles. What happens internally that more power is found? My 00 L has about 800 miles and power seems to be about average.No track times yet.No mods yet except 5 coats of "Liquid Glass".

 

For me it takes alittle more horsepower to get out of bed in the morning cause I'm kind of stiff and my parts are too close together.
After I've warmed up and loose (like the
track stars) I don't need as much horsepower to run around, therefore I have more horsepower in reserve for a sudden burst for catching my wife. When the truck is new there is that little extra drag as the parts
wear to their operational tolerances.

 

I realize that there there will be some gains as the bearing surfaces are "bedded in", but I am sceptical of the huge gains that some on this board have claimed. I have a theory that the serpentine belt is apt to undergo some natural stretching, which ought to result in reduced parasitic losses from the accessories. Any comments from the mechanically inclined?

 

Very simple.Less friction gains more horsepower.

 

The most significant change a new motor goes thru is the cylinder walls breaking in. If a motor is put together properly no other parts should show any significant wear. As the fresh hone finish of the walls are polished by the rings frictional losses drop, freeing up power. This is a very small gain though. There is some speculation that the OBD II computer limits output until a certain mileage is reached.

 

I can remeber building some small blocks in high school and they were very tight initially. We often had to retard the timing just to start them until they broke-in. But after a few miles they lossened up, screamed, and got better mileage. I guess you just got to get them to fighting shape. Of course they didn't last long the way we drove them. It's when they start tickin when you gotta tear them down.