Best Way To Break-In The 392?

[Yellow Jacket 26]

Aside from what the owner's manual says (no drag racing before 500 miles, keep it at 50-60), do you sages have any recommendations? I've heard everything from "Drive it like you stole it," to "Baby it." It's been over 10 years since I've broken in a new engine, and I've never done a Hemi.

What's the conventional wisdom from the smart guys (or even smart-asses) on this forum? Thanks!

--Howie

[Williams RT 71]

Put 50 miles on it driving at normal around town driving habits. Check all the fluids and pull the #2 fuse. Then start beating the living hell out of it. They say you do not need to but change the oil at 500- 1000 miles with a wix filter and the oil of your choice. Then go beat the hell out of it some more. You break an engine like a pussy the engine will perform like a pussy. JMO but what do I know my car has 740 miles on it so I am still breaking it in.

[StevoHemi 236]

Owners manual? Whas dat?

I drove her hard from day one. Hemi tough... no worries.

Stevo

[ScapeGoat 126]

some doughnuts and figure eights then foot brake it and melt the tires for 20 seconds..........then shes broke in

[Goehner 305]

I drove mine like 38 miles from the rail yard home, then did this.

[Williams RT 71]

^^^^^^ That's what I am talking about!

[StevoHemi 236]

Man... I love those blue stripes on the deck lid Alan!

Stevo

[ScapeGoat 126]

Man... I love those blue stripes on the deck lid Alan!

Stevo

Yeah, didnt he try to copy notsures car by removing the stripes?

[Goehner 305]

I am a follower, that is for sure.

[ScapeGoat 126]

hehe

[Jack SickSRT 33]

We picked up Capt. Steves from AJ. Trailered it home. He drove the piss out of it for 50 miles or so then unloaded it in ATCO and ran 10.6 followed by a 10.5 then a 10.4 with a 1.39 60ft. Shes broke in!!

[RT_6Speed 80]

Aside from what the owner's manual says (no drag racing before 500 miles, keep it at 50-60), do you sages have any recommendations? I've heard everything from "Drive it like you stole it," to "Baby it." It's been over 10 years since I've broken in a new engine, and I've never done a Hemi.

Yes, there is a secret method for breaking in 392's. Since we who are 'in the know' aren't sure we can share it with you what I would suggest doing is bring it to my house and leaving it for... say a couple months... and I'll take care of that for you. Challenger brotherhood and all. If you could also drop off one of your gas credit cards that would be even more awesome

[Yellow Jacket 26]

Bunch of smart-asses around here. Awesome!

I was planning on changing the oil at 500-1000. I also wanted to dyno it stock, for baseline. Gotta find a dyno around here though.

Jack SickSRT: I think I'm missing something here. You ran 10's in a completely stock car? No way!

RT_6Speed: Come to CF3, and I MIGHT let you drive my car. If you buy my BBQ, and are really, really nice to me. Maybe. Challenger brotherhood and all...

One more question: Do you guys think I can throw a CAI and cat-back on this thing right off the lot without any detriment? Judging by previous answers, I'd say yes.

[Williams RT 71]

Bunch of smart-asses around here. Awesome!

I was planning on changing the oil at 500-1000. I also wanted to dyno it stock, for baseline. Gotta find a dyno around here though.

Jack SickSRT: I think I'm missing something here. You ran 10's in a completely stock car? No way!

RT_6Speed: Come to CF3, and I MIGHT let you drive my car. If you buy my BBQ, and are really, really nice to me. Maybe. Challenger brotherhood and all...

One more question: Do you guys think I can throw a CAI and cat-back on this thing right off the lot without any detriment? Judging by previous answers, I'd say yes.

Dyno? http://modernmoparfo...__fromsearch__1 If you can not wait until then easy street is just outside of Cincinati,OH. You may want to look at a resonator delete instead of a catback since you have a 6 speed it will save you a lot of money.

[RT_6Speed 80]

I know, there are a bunch of smart asses on here

I'd say no issues with the CAI and catback. Performance wise not sure the CAI will be an improvement over the stock system pulling from the fender (cooler) but understand the need to make it your own... and I have one, too.

Also, what Williams R/T said as well. You might look at the reso-delete. That's what I did and like the sound, was a lot cheaper than a cat-back and dropped weight off the rear. More info on the reso delete if you're interested.

[Yellow Jacket 26]

What about drone with resonator delete? I thought that would be an issue.

[Jack SickSRT 33]

Not a new 392. My bust. Its a forged 6.1 392 C.I. 2009 Challenger with a maggie on it.

[Goehner 305]

We picked up Capt. Steves from AJ. Trailered it home. He drove the piss out of it for 50 miles or so then unloaded it in ATCO and ran 10.6 followed by a 10.5 then a 10.4 with a 1.39 60ft. Shes broke in!!

Guessing this is a little different kind of 392 than the OP is talking about.

[RT_6Speed 80]

No complaints. Some people delete the resonators and put a piece of pipe in the place of the resonators. I put glasspacks in the place of the resonators so basically I have two sets of flow thru mufflers on each pipe. I like the sound inside and out. If you're in doubt see if there is some kind of group in your area with someone that has done it that might take you for a spin. Or if your going to CF3 probably someone where with the mod you could check out.

[Goehner 305]

same time same post ....doh

[RT_6Speed 80]

Not a new 392. My bust. Its a forged 6.1 392 C.I. 2009 Challenger with a maggie on it.

I'd be happy to break that one in as well

[Yellow Jacket 26]

No complaints. Some people delete the resonators and put a piece of pipe in the place of the resonators. I put glasspacks in the place of the resonators so basically I have two sets of flow thru mufflers on each pipe. I like the sound inside and out. If you're in doubt see if there is some kind of group in your area with someone that has done it that might take you for a spin. Or if your going to CF3 probably someone where with the mod you could check out.

How much did that set-up cost you?

[Bigbear 2]

Had mine at the track the first weekend I had it, im prolly not one to take advice from...

[RT_6Speed 80]

How much did that set-up cost you?

Blastin' Bob's kit was $200 and I got a discounted price that ended up being something like $180, $190 with shipping the $50 to install because I wasn't going to crawl under the car with a sawzall in 30 degree weather and because I wanted it on a lift to install the skip shift at the same time. So $250 ish, less if you install yourself.

Blastin' Bob's website.

[Jay6spdRT 46]

Put 50 miles on it driving at normal around town driving habits. Check all the fluids and pull the #2 fuse. Then start beating the living hell out of it. They say you do not need to but change the oil at 500- 1000 miles with a wix filter and the oil of your choice. Then go beat the hell out of it some more. You break an engine like a pussy the engine will perform like a pussy. JMO but what do I know my car has 740 miles on it so I am still breaking it in.

Yep, I like to get the first oil change at 1000 miles or so. My car had 60 miles the night I picked her up. I stopped at an 'old school' Mopar fella's house to show him - and asked him if I should baby or not. He said driving hard is the best break-in.

So she got driven flat out right from the start. Day after I picked her up from the dealer, I hit the 142.5 mph speed limiter 3 times. I gotta say - the car uses virtually zero oil - the dipstick level from the time of the oil change to 3000 miles drops almost imperceptibly. Seems like everything is seated well, and the car definitely makes good power for a 5.7.