Start out by saying hi to everyone since I'm new here!How has everyone broke in their lbz motor? Do you baby it for a while or do you drive it like you stoled it? Thanks

Welcome to the Diesel Place. I do not have an LBZ, however I do have an LB7. I drove it nice for about the first 250 miles and then I added power and drove it like I stole it. I think you will find that most will drive them nice and easy for about the first 500 miles and then go all out. I think since you are new, you should also try the search feature and I think you will find tons of information on this and other matters pertaining to the LBZ...

You'll get a different answer from everyone as GM doesn't give any clear procedures.

I had my foot to the floor with 9 miles on it, If its going to break do it right now. Nothing that "babying" it will do that will prevent anything from breaking if you floor it right off the bat.

If there are issues I'd rather it happen right away. I have done this will all my cars and none of them ever used oil or had issues.

I'm taking it out tomorrow and I'm going to hammer the crap out of it.It has 450 miles on it.What about this heater block plug in?I found the cord but it's not hooked to the block or anything.Where does it go on the engine or wireing harness?Thanks

Start out by saying hi to everyone since I'm new here!How has everyone broke in their lbz motor? Do you baby it for a while or do you drive it like you stoled it? Thanks


The manual clearly states,,,baby it for the 1st 1000 miles

Drive it like you stole it....you know you want to.....breakin in periods are just a way to keep you away from the dealership after you first buy a vehicle....run it hard...that's what it's designed for....do it right away...put it to the test so it won't put you to the test later down the road...

Drive it right. Wait 500 miles.

Drive it right. Wait 500 miles.

The only thing right about waiting 500 miles is...........NOTHING!!!!!

Here is a link for the "drive it like you stole it" break-in philosophy: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm.

Myself, I did goose the accelerator pedal on occasion, but for the most part I kept within the recommended GM break-in guidelines being sure to fluctuate speed as best I could when on the giant slab (easier said than done).

JAFO

Just as a comparison, as a big rig like my old Peterbilt. who in their right mind would do a break in period when it cost so much to run one. If it aint pullin it aint payin. I had 26 miles on my 06LBZ, installed my rail kit, loaded up my gooseneck with a duramax powered hummer H-2 and went from Wichita Kansas to San Diego California (weighed in at almost 20k). Bought the truck in Dodge City. The dealer there was very helpfull in transfering all my goodies that would fit off my 02 LB7 onto my new baby.

was towing at 400 miles with my DMAX. nary a problem.

Took off for a 2500 mile trip with the Airstream in tow when the truck had 320 miles on the odometer. Over 8,000 miles now and no issues.

I got my truck last week and on the weekend I took it for a ride with DW like we stole it. We put in over 800 miles and could never been happier. I was driving it 70-75 mph on the freeway and gas milage at this speed was 20.5MPG(hand calc.)

Start out by saying hi to everyone since I'm new here!How has everyone broke in their lbz motor? Do you baby it for a while or do you drive it like you stoled it? Thanks

I usually drive the same day in and day out from the beginning to the end. No special break in routine other than not using the cruise control for the first tank to vary RPM and load.

drive the hell out of it

if you baby it then you will most likely get crappy fuel mileage. I broke mine in hard at the drag strip and get 21mpg on a 5 speed allison

RickDLance also stated that trucks he broke in easy got bad fuel mileage, and the ones he broke in hard got better fuel mileage

I don't buy the Mototune article when it comes to a Duramax. I can see the point on a gasser, but not a Duramax for the following reason. Every Duramax engine gets hot tested on a dyno before it leaves Moraine, OH. The cylinder rings will be seated before the engine is dropped in the chassis, let alone in the first 20 miles. After warming the engines at idle, they run up and down through the rev range simulating various operating conditions. Occasionally, they even manage to grenade one in the test cell. :eek:
Gassers don't go through this testing. Something like 1 or 2 per hour get hot tested, the rest are put on a pallet dry and shipped to the assembly plants. That's why I can see where the information presented in this article could hold true for a gas engine. The only thing a "break-in" period is for in a diesel truck is to wear in the rest of the drivetrain. For all intents and purposes the rings are seated as good as they'll get when you pick up the truck.

[quote=udflyer98;942549]I don't buy the Mototune article when it comes to a Duramax. ... Every Duramax engine gets hot tested on a dyno before it leaves Moraine, OH. The cylinder rings will be seated before the engine is dropped in the chassis, let alone in the first 20 miles. ... The only thing a "break-in" period is for in a diesel truck is to wear in the rest of the drivetrain.