Who says it has to be run a week to break-in? Most professionals say an engine can be broken-in (seals seated properly) with three hard runs with a cool-down in between.

Here is a clip of the AMG factory where every engine is tested on a dyno. Don't think they're just testing for oil leaks and compression.

Jump to 2:30:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p6YE8teJpU

 

Did a little digging and found this straight from Porsche:

The following hot test is the final step in the engine production process. The engines are first of all heated up to operating temperature and then subjected to a functional test including full-throttle testing. Information in the form of up to 220 parameters is generated in this test of around five minutes' duration.

This ensures that Porsche's high quality standards are also met in the area of engine construction.

Following subsequent connection of the engine to the transmission, the engine is ready for the "marriage" ceremony (connection of the drivetrain and chassis to the body).

http://www.porsche.com/international...ngineassembly/

 

it is not seals that must settle in but rings and also all contacting surfaces should worn out properly and smooth up rough edges. overrevving during this time may do damage if something was not assembled up to the specs and has friction forces above allowed maximum. that is why it is told not to abuse cold engine and always break-in new engine. you may have plenty of chance that everything inside is up to specs, but may be not. In 2 new cars I had in my life I had some metal particles in first oil change. where did they come from, how do you think?

Plus revving hard engine with brand new rings may/will essentially damage cylinders and result in lost compression.

 

I think you're missing my point. The point is not that you shouldn't break-in an engine, the point is that the engine is broken-in by the factory. Think about it if what you say is true then why would Porsche run their engines at WOT? Wouldn't that result in lost compression and the cylinder damage that you claim? Why would they risk their reputation like that? I'm not claiming all new cars are properly tested, just the high-end ones like Porsche. Times have changed and these modern performance engines are built to extremely precise specs and tolerances. The manual version of break-in is for the other components. If your engine is up to temp - Drive it!

 

no it is not. single engine startup at factory ha nothing to do with breaking it in. at factory they literally confirm that it starts and if all sensors respond properly. that`s all they do.

I had engines on my cars restored with new rings and re-machined cylinders 2 times, it is not something modern generation is accustomed with but on old cars it was a very usual thing - replace old rings to next size, increase cylinder diameter accordingly and then give it time to settle in.

it is exactly all the same on any brand new engine with one only difference that brand new cylinders have better (machined to higher accuracy standards) inner surfaces (mirror) than re-machined ones after repair, so rings on a new engine do a bit less damage. but they still will do damage if one will act stupidly and nice cylinder inner shape will became an ellipse with all subsequent effects. more dangerous stuff is also overheating of all surfaces in contact where friction is above normal - steel will heat up and cool down and loose its original strength.

really, there is no need to question this engine 101 set of rules. first 500 miles is a sacred time. next - gradually push it. last 1000 miles of brake-in is up to you as most likely everything that could brake would already break, just do not redline it while cold on 1st gear.

 

The Porsche procedure is not a break in procedure. It is simply a test to see if the engine has been properly assembled to avoid putting an engine with an obvious problem into a car - nothing more.

 

also a lot of folks do first oil change at 500 miles. it does not matter if it is honda or porsche or chevy, it is just pretty much same common sense.

 

Finally we're in agreement here. My point was simply you don't have to hold it under 4200rpm after ~400miles (time to verify clutch/tranny/suspension functioning properly). That doesn't mean you should be running around redline (and definitely not overreving) but you can open it up and enjoy it. I'm all for early oil changes as a precaution.

What I disagree with is this belief that the engine is somehow pure when you get it. It is not. It has been rigorously tested and brought up to temps up to 1000 degrees and it is held at WOT. That is a lot different then hey let's start it and make sure she runs. If Porsche can take it to WOT then clearly the engine is capable of doing so without the damage proclaimed on this thread.

EDIT: Would like to add that PSDS doesn't "break-in" their cars for 2000 miles.
EDIT2: Would also like to note that lugging is the worst thing you can do to the engine and should be avoided more than higher rpms.

 

The bottom line for me is simple: 2,000 miles is nothing in the lifetime of a Carrera so why not simply delay the high-rev'ing pleasure for 2,000 miles to be on the safe side?

Gradually start taking the rev's up after 2k miles after changing the oil and then you never have to question whether you may have inadvertently shortened the life of your engine.

I'm an adult, I have patience, I can wait.

 

Run it like it was stolen. Seating everything reveals everything in the first couple of minutes. Engine braking is just as important as acceleration. The tollerances these days do NOT allow for shards of metal to be floating around in the drivetrain. Current engines are built to the near precision of computers, or better, good watches. F1 and NASCAR do not wear in the engines. If it is going to fail it will be almost immediately. There are no honing marks, shards, lips, coke cans, etc. in todays cars engines. The industry can just not afford the potential damage to reputation or the repair liability.

Drive it hard! Just don't over rev!!

 

I agree.

 

Funny, this is an age old conversation! I also was told from my dealer, that I have bought my 5 Porsche from (4 Cayenne S and now the 911S) that they run the hell out of the engine before it goes into the car. This comes from a prominent NYC dealership. However, I will still continue to use caution until I crack 2k on the clock, for reasons of other components of the car and a just in case for the engine. I have 500 in less than a week and it is a 4th car! Cant get enough seat time!

 

Surfaces of any oiled car components that do have friction contact between each other have to have some time to settle down properly and develop optimal contact curve. It is just plain physics. To deny this simple fact does not make much sense.