You are correct. The engines from the factory are pre-broken in. They are run for 15 hours before they are even in the car and then recieve an oil change, then put into the car.

The best way to break in an engine is show it all the RPM range so the rings seat properly. The only is running around town with your foot to the floor all day long. An occasional 3 gear rip is not going to hurt the engine, only help.

 

well im at about 650-700 miles and im hitting 10 psi max in 2nd...havn't chekd 3rd. But is it only supposed to hit 12 in the higher gears or starting from second? and i have an 06 if that has anything to do with it

 

Not trying to call B.S. on this (or be a dick), but where'd you hear that? I certainly would believe them running it on a dyno before it goes into the car, but 15 hours???

If you read this somewhere legit, please send the link as I'd like to read about it.

As far as the gauges, I wouldn't trust them. The owners manual says they are calibrated where they are made, but they may read off if you are at a different altitude. So for most people, the gauge doesn't center when it is shut off, so I doubt these are super accurate. It may be reading 1-2 psi of up or down.

 

The mechanic I take my Mustang to (since 92') has friends that are techs and engineers at GM (and Ford) and he told me this quite awhile ago. He has been involved in high perfromance for over 30 years and is a close friend as well so I listen to what he says.

And when I picked up the Cobalt the fleet manager told me the exact same thing. He actually laughed when I told him there was a "break-in" issue in a thread I read awhile back.

Then when I bought my stage 2 kit, the dealer I purchased it from is a Pontiac\ GM place and the manager of the parts told me the same 15 hour run time. They actually said to "bag on it" to break everything in properly.

So there is no "document", just words from people who have been there and done that. And they are all saying the same thing, same numbers etc.
I was told the "dyno" varies the engine speed as well.

 

my boost doesn't go much past 80 KPA .... i'll double check again today .

 

this is a strange problem that some people arent hitting full boost, my **** nomatter what rpm range is hitting full boost everytime instantly, maybe just a cobalt problem or something.

 

Listen to this guy, not all these other know nothings. Break it in how you are going to drive it. If you are going to drive it like a lil old lady for the car's whole life then use every one's recommended "break in" schedule. But if you are going to be racing it (which I am sure you are), break it in hard.