I was talking with a mechanic about breaking in new engines. His process is to change the oil every 100 miles for the first 500. He says the first 500 is the most critical miles on the engine.

I wouldn't argue with that point, but what do you guys think about the oil changes?

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2001 Red Lightning
2000 FLSTF

 

Will he be doing the oil changes for you?

I've always changed at the first 1000.
Wait 2000 and do it again.
Every 3000 there after.

Synthetics throw this off big-time.



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Rich
1999.5 SVT Lightning - Red. 100HP Shot Nitrous(NOS), NGK TR6 Plugs, BellTech 3/4 drop, BellTech Nitroactive shocks, Ford MotorSport Chrome Lightning wheels, JDM Chip. K&N Filter. Viper Alarm w/remote start, Sir Michael's roll pan, smooth corners and steps w/billet inserts, clear corner lenses, Cervinis Ram Air hood, ARE Cover w/ wing, Momo billet pedals, cd changer, cover, Phantom boost and nitrous gauges, MTX Thunderform w/ 2 - 10" JL Audio W-3 subs. 5-channel 500w. Clarion amp., (4)Polk Audio 3-way, 130w. DX 7's, Color-matched Muth signal mirrors, Soundproofed cab, BedRug, Trenz billet grills, Piaa 9007 Super Whites, Bucket Seat Conversion, Carbon fiber dash(photogenesis), etc. Build #2755
TampaSVT@Tampabay.rr.com

http://home.tampabay.rr.com/tampasvt/

2001 Lexus IS-300
2001 EB Expedition

 

I changed the factory oil at 500 miles it looked good. I ran regular oil to 3000 miles then switched to Mobil1 5-30 and filter. Then I cheange oil every 3K or so, rotate tires, and clean K&N element. The engine has moly rings and they take some time to cut in. Maybe ask Sal if he saw cross hatch marks or any wear in his motors he opened up. Besides the bad cylinders that is.

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01' Silver Bullet
Bought 03/31/01
Tire shredding truck
Prototype ram air 5/03 testing... Works GREAT!
Retrax cover 5/5/01
Wet Okoles 6/04/01
Looking for a chip and pulley soon.

[This message has been edited by L8 APEX (edited 06-14-2001).]

 

I'm not too much of a mechanic but my L has been running smooth since day 1. That sounds expensive to be changing the oil every 100 miles. I changed my the first 3000 miles then I changed my oil with royal purple synthetic. I have 6000 miles on my truck and I've changed the oil about every 3 to four months. I also didn't put the pedal to the metal until I had 1000 plus miles on it. I know it's tempting but hey you gotta take care of the beast. I also took a few 40-50 mile trips to get the oil moving a bit more since I only drive it about 10-20 miles daily.

 

you're going to get opposing responses about this subject. most of the guys will probably say "drive it like you stole it--right from the dealership".

i took a middle ground approach. (i always, upon initial start-up, drive off immediately but slowly--1700 rpm max.) from the dealer, i varied the speed of the eng. but at about 60 miles on the odo., i touched 90 mph for a second or two. i continue this method(not to 90 mph every time, but you get the idea) up to 3,000 miles or so. i continue the immediate movement at warm-up for the life of the vehicle. it's important that the eng. be under load; not just blipping the throttle with it in "park".

i changed oil(motorcraft 5w20) and filter at 1,000 miles. i will change them again at 4,000 miles with the dino oil. at about 7,000 miles, i will switch over to royal purple 5w20 synthetic and the k&n oil filter. i may change to amsoil, but i always use synthetic oil. i started using mobil 1 back in the 70's. it helped a highly modified saab 9000 turbo reach 300,000 miles(i retired it when it tore the motor mounts in two!).



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2001 Lightning, silver, escort 8500, ranger 2950dx dual band radio, wilson 2000 ant., bot/picked up on 05/08/01, 1997 f150 xlt 4.6L 4x2 with: a/f one fipk, superchip, optima battery, bbk 75mm throttle body, edelbrock ias shocks--2001 lightning to come(she came--see above)

"nothin' but a bunch a low-life white trash drinkin' too much cheap alcohol"

"I don't take s**t from guys who drive Lightnings," the cop said. "You're speedin' when you're sittin' on the parkin' ramp."

 

I was told just don't drive at any constant speed for any real length of time. Vary your speed for the first 500 to 1000 miles.
I changed my oil at 3000 miles and have done the same ever since. I now have 15K on my '99.
I use Castrol conventional oil and have had no problems other than the infamous "clunk".

 

Part of the confusion/differences comes from how we used to do it versus how it should be done in this day and age. Materials and tolerances have changed alot. With todays motors I'm not sure there is a better or a wrong way. I do like longer run times at varying rpm. I didn't go over 4000rpm for about 5 minutes! Changed the oil to synthetic at 900 miles. My 01 pulled 356 HP stock at 850 miles. Haven't heard of anyone getting more than that on a stock 01 with that low of mileage.

Who's to say...just alot of opinions. My advice is do what you think is prudent and then don't sweat it.

 

1. Take it easy and vary the RPM's for the first 1500 miles. You can go WOT for short periods (a few seconds), don't turn it up to the redline just yet. Don't drive the exact same speed (RPM's) for a long time.

2. Change the original oil at 500 miles.

3. Replace it with Havoline or Mobil Drive clean conventional oil and a motorcraft or Mobil One filter. (If it were mine, I'd use 5w-30)

4. At 1500 miles change to Mobil One 5w-30 and a Motorcraft or Mobil One filter.

5. Change every 3000 for the rest of your L's life.

By no means is this the only way, but it is a good plan to get started in taking good care of your Lightning.

mracer

Red 2k L

[This message has been edited by mracer (edited 06-14-2001).]