'03 Cobra Break-In

[blowncobra]

Just joined WISVTOA- looks like a great site! Looking forward to checking out some of the coming events.

I picked up a new '03 Cobra last week and was hoping to get some suggestions on breaking it in. I've heard everything from drive at varying speeds, not exceeding 4,000 rpm for 500 or 1,000 miles to "drive it like 'ya stole it" right out of the box.

Also, about initial fluid changes. I've been told to take it up to 1,000 miles then change engine oil to Mobil 1 synthetic (5W30?). Do I need to change out tranny / rear-end fluids?

Any suggestions?? Thanks

[Botiklr]

I was told by SVT to wait unitl you have 8,000 to 10,000 miles before changing to Mobil 1 it has to do with seating of the rings and etec.

[xbnch]

These engines are just about bullet proof. I kind of broke in our '03 for the 1st 500 miles or so. At about 1500 I switched to AMSOIL synthetic and drove it on the 1/4 mile at the Grove. At 3500 now I have no problems except figuring out what mods to do next. Just installed the Pro 5 shifter on it.
The tranny and rear end have Fords synthetic in them already so no hurry to change them.
If we had to wait till 10,000 miles it would be 3 years away. These engines are built fror synthetic oil. Use it and enjoy it.
hope to see another "03 Cobra at our next cruise on the 15th.

[animal]

I drove it at about 85% of what I expected to drive it once broke in. Mines a daily driver, so once in a while I'd do a full 85% blast. I didn't actually WOT it until after 1k miles, but that was in the first week for me. :D

I've heard them all, go easy, beat it up... I just tried to be somewhere in the middle of that. From what I've heard the varying of speeds is more for the tranny. I changed to mobil 1 at 9k miles.

[HITMAN]

Originally posted by blowncobra
Just joined WISVTOA- looks like a great site! Looking forward to checking out some of the coming events.

I picked up a new '03 Cobra last week and was hoping to get some suggestions on breaking it in. I've heard everything from drive at varying speeds, not exceeding 4,000 rpm for 500 or 1,000 miles to "drive it like 'ya stole it" right out of the box.

Also, about initial fluid changes. I've been told to take it up to 1,000 miles then change engine oil to Mobil 1 synthetic (5W30?). Do I need to change out tranny / rear-end fluids?

Any suggestions?? Thanks

Hi Danny. ;) How's that bad-boy Cobra treating you? :cool:

During the first 500 miles of break-in, the most important thing to do is to try and vary your speed. Try and stay away from steady speed cruising in 6th gear. Use 1st through 4th for the first few hundred miles. You should keep the revs below 4000 and throttle opening less than 50% for the first 100 miles or so. At 100 miles, give it a bit more throttle, maybe 60% and 4500 rpms. At 200 I'd raise those parameters to 5000 and 75%. At 400 miles, I would give it full throttle for short bursts, and bring the R's to about 6000. At 500 miles, change your oil to Ford's recommended dinosaur oil, and after that, start to have some fun. At around 1200 miles switch over to the synthetic of your choice, and then you may beat the snot out of it at will.

You could switch to synthetic gear oil/trans fluid after the first 1000 miles or so. That way, everything will have a chance to mate together before you slick it up.

I hope you're enjoying the car. Maybe I'll get to see you at one of the events we have.

Later,
Brett Sorano