LS3 oil - running in

[Bence]

Hi all,

In need of advice to a quandary

I’ve now completed my build with LS3 engine and now need to optimise set up of ECU on rolling road.

I’ve been advised to run the engine in for around 500 miles before we give it the beans on a rolling road but also that it should be run in with mineral oil to help the pistons bed in.

The engine came pre-filled with fully synthetic so it begs the question do I actually need to change it or not?

Anyone out there with experience of this and what did you guys do? If you went mineral oil route then which did you use?

Thanks, Bence

[cperry]

I’ve always been told to change the oil and filter after 500 miles on a new/reconditioned engine.

Not sure about using mineral oil???

Is it a new engine or reconditioned?

[Happy Jim]

Changing the oil would be good practice, mineral oil.....not so much!

[AKCobra]

Hey Bence,

I would change this to 5w30 semi synthetic I use Valvoline, DON'T use mineral oil in a LS engine, and i personally I think the viscosity of fully synthetic to be too low as LS's run so hot.

Alan.

[Bence]

Thanks for the input.

The engine is a new unit and I’ve done just over 100 miles with it as is. I had planned to change it at 500 miles after run in but it was just this 1st milestone I pondered. Mainly because GM put fully synthetic in it from the get go so I figured it should be ok.
It has 5w30 oil in anyway as I checked with Brian at Roadcraft. Mobil 1.

I think I’ll leave this in but have some semi-synthetic on hand if it gets hot on the rolling road.

Thanks, Bence

[cperry]

I wouldn’t put through a rolling road tune up until it’s well run it, they rev the shit out of it !!

[Happy Jim]

I wouldn’t put through a rolling road tune up until it’s well run it, they rev the shit out of it !!

Not really, they only take it just past peak HP which will be substanially below the red line, still makes yer arse twitch watching it though

[cperry]

Just past peak HP. AKA revving the shit out of it.

[LDW]

Any dexos 2 rated 5w30 should be fine. I have used the stuff below on my LS2 and at £48 for 20 litres it is good value.

I accept some people will only use Mobil 1 and I will be deemed a heretic for suggesting this, but I did quite a bit of hunting and this does everything that the Branded names do.

Cheers

Lee

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/37124139127...c7dd23fff8d843

[aaronjb]

I wouldn’t put through a rolling road tune up until it’s well run it, they rev the shit out of it !!

If you have an engine built by a race shop, guess how they'll run it in? Best way to get the rings to actually bed in to the cylinder walls - don't baby it.