A couple of days ago I was watching an episode of "Overhaulin" and I heard one of the builders say something that caught my attention. The guy was standing at the front of the car as they were finishing it up and he said: "We're almost ready to throw some synthetic into this motor and fire it up for the first time." I remembered learning, on this very site, that a fresh engine should have plain organic oil in it to flush out any metal debris from machining. I could be wrong and the crate motor they were using had already been run through it's paces so that wouldnt be an issue but I just thought I'd point it out.

Here is evidence that backs it up or just reiterates the fact that these bastards are loaded and can afford it: http://www.superiorlubrication.com/breakin.php

It's a matter of opinion. Personally, I perfer conventional oil because it allows a little more friction for the surfaces to seat better.

Originally posted by cougar694u
It's a matter of opinion. Personally, I perfer conventional oil because it allows a little more friction for the surfaces to seat better.

It's not a matter of opinion. What evidence do you have to show that conventional oil "allows a little more friction for the surfaces to seat better"?

You certainly can break in an engine using synthetic oil, buy why would you? You're just going to flush the first two fills immediately anyways.

The major advantage in using Synthetic oil is it's resistance to themal breakdown and it works wonders in high heat and turbocharged applications, when conventional oil is likely to break down much more easily. However, during the engine break-in process, these factors are not a problem.

yeah, i think its probably alot to do with sponsors of the show.

but you can do it..just not everyone wants to throw down the cash to change out the syn fluid right away. thats why in several writeups they will say "go down and get the cheapest oil you can find, because youll be changing it in a hurry."

i know i sure dont have the scratch to throw 2-3 cycles of syn out due to break-in

Originally posted by 96eclipse2nr
i know i sure dont have the scratch to throw 2-3 cycles of syn out due to break-in

A valid point.

Many OEM's use full synthetic straight from the factory, including:

Aston Martin
Bentley Amage and Bentley GT
Cadillac CTS, XLR, SRX and STS
Chevrolet Corvette
Dodge Viper
Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles
Mercedes SLR
Mitsubishi EVO
Pontiac GTO
All Porsche vehicles


I personally believe it's less about the oil and more about how you break the engine in. Everyone has their opinion, but the fact is that most wouldn't spend the cash for synthetic break-in oil anyway so it doesn't really matter.

Originally posted by 992gnt
I personally believe it's less about the oil and more about how you break the engine in. Everyone has their opinion, but the fact is that most wouldn't spend the cash for synthetic break-in oil anyway so it doesn't really matter.

Another good point. I originally thought that using synthetic oil in a fresh engine wouldnt let the engine components wear together because the oil was so "slippery" therefore negating the use of it early on in the break-in process. But, after seeing the comments made, I know what to expect in the future. Anybody have anything else to add?

Thank you, gentleman.

I'm pretty sure those engines are NOT sent out of the factory without being broken in sir :)

Originally posted by Blizare
I'm pretty sure those engines are NOT sent out of the factory without being broken in sir :)

They break them in for how long? On what apparatus, an engine dyno? I would be SHOCKED if this were the case, and even if it was, they probably get broken in for minutes, not hours.

Anyone know for SURE?

Originally posted by 992gnt

Originally posted by Blizare I'm pretty sure those engines are NOT sent out of the factory without being broken in sir :)

They break them in for how long? On what apparatus, an engine dyno? I would be SHOCKED if this were the case, and even if it was, they probably get broken in for minutes, not hours. Anyone know for SURE?

A little bird at a service department told me his companies motors were fired, let to idle for 60 seconds, run once to spark cut then shut off. He could be full of shit for all I know though.

Originally posted by 992gnt
Many OEM's use full synthetic straight from the factory, including: Aston Martin Bentley Amage and Bentley GT Cadillac CTS, XLR, SRX and STS Chevrolet Corvette Dodge Viper Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles Mercedes SLR Mitsubishi EVO Pontiac GTO All Porsche vehicles

Don't forget BMW's. :P

Originally posted by sonikbewm

Originally posted by 992gnt Many OEM's use full synthetic straight from the factory, including: Aston Martin Bentley Amage and Bentley GT Cadillac CTS, XLR, SRX and STS Chevrolet Corvette Dodge Viper Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles Mercedes SLR Mitsubishi EVO Pontiac GTO All Porsche vehicles

Don't forget BMW's. :P

you'd love the union employee that drives it off the line too...I'm sure. They aren't exactly gentle with them.

Basic proceedure:

Step one: Crank it over.
Step two: Light'em up.
Step three: Park.

LOL

Originally posted by dougie2

Originally posted by cougar694u It's a matter of opinion. Personally, I perfer conventional oil because it allows a little more friction for the surfaces to seat better.

It's not a matter of opinion. What evidence do you have to show that conventional oil "allows a little more friction for the surfaces to seat better"?...However, during the engine break-in process, these factors are not a problem.

That's my opinion, and that is EXACTLY why it is a matter of opinion. Or should I say, it's a matter of choice (due to cost), which is still backed by my opinion.

On a completely different tip, anyone else notice how all the non-NASCRAP on Speed seems to be produced in Canadia? Sports Car Revolution in particular, comes to mind. "This MagnaFlow exhaust will give the Kia wagon a bit more oomph, eh?" :+

EDIT:
And you know how they always refer to that Kazzer character as "Sony recording artist?" Well, I actually heard his song a couple weekend back on Sirius. It was that song they play for the theme of the show. Wow. Big time.

It could be worse, though. All the Canadian car shows could have Bryan Adams soundtracks, eh?

Originally posted by DR1665
It could be worse, though. All the Canadian car shows could have Bryan Adams soundtracks, eh?

or Alanis Morissette :puke

Originally posted by cougar694u

Originally posted by DR1665 It could be worse, though. All the Canadian car shows could have Bryan Adams soundtracks, eh?

or Alanis Morissette :puke

or Nickleback :P

Originally posted by BumpinTalon

Originally posted by cougar694u

Originally posted by DR1665 It could be worse, though. All the Canadian car shows could have Bryan Adams soundtracks, eh?

or Alanis Morissette :puke

or Nickleback :P

LOL. <- that's all i need to say.

One of my old friends went to the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, KY and took the tour... At the end, people fired them up, did a burnout and went through a slolom course (spelling doesn't count here) to test them.

When I rebuild I'll break in on cheap oil then switch to synthetic.