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A Guide to Breaking in Your RZR, Ranger, and Sportsman 800 Camshafts

 In Tutorials

Welcome everyone! This is Mike over at Rev 6, and today, we’re gonna walk you through the proper method of how to break in your RZR, Razor Ranger and Sportsman 800 camshafts. If you’ve just installed new cams and lifters in your engine, this guide is especially for you!

Initial Steps: Avoiding Premature Wear

The most critical aspect to be cautious about is the engine startup.

how to break in your RZR

Firstly, you should never allow your engine to idle right after startup, as this could lead to early wear on the new components. Instead, after starting your machine, take the rpms up to somewhere between 1,500 to 2,000 and maintain that for around 15 to 20 minutes. This precautionary step will prevent any premature wear on your newly installed parts.

Pro Tip: In flat tappet engines, it is a prevalent issue that components wear out if the engine is left to idle immediately after startup. Always remember to get those rpms up!

 Varying the Throttle Positions: Preventing Excessive Wear

After your engine has initially warmed up, you’ll want to take your machine for a ride. But remember, a constant and maintained speed is a no-go.

varying the throttle positions

You do not want to maintain high speeds or hold it at a steady 15-20mph for longer than 3 to 4 minutes. It’s important to vary the throttle positions, moving up and down on rpm levels. This varying speed helps ensure the entire range of the engine’s operation is smoothened out and break-in uniformly.

Proper Oils to Run: Breaking In with the Right Lubrication

The correct oil choice can sanitize a large portion of your break-in problems!

oiling for lubrication

While breaking in your camshafts, we highly recommend using an oil that’s high in ZDDP, a compound made up of zinc and phosphorus. These minerals are vital for a successful engine break-in.

At Rev 6, we often recommend using Royal Purple, which can be a 1030 or a 1040. A generous presence of zinc in the oil functions as a healthy catalyst to help your engine and its components break in without causing undue friction.

The best practice is running this oil for around 20 to 25 hours during the break-in. After that, you can switch back to full synthetic oil, only if it doesn’t have a high zinc content.

Remember: You can break in your camshafts without a high-zinc oil, too. However, you must avoid full synthetic oils entirely during the break-in period. The superlative lubrication level of full synthetic oils often prevents parts from seating properly, thus hindering the break-in process.

how to break in your RZR

And that’s it, folks! You should now have all the information you need on how to break in your new RZR camshafts and extend their lifespan effectively. Follow these guidelines carefully, and you’ll set yourself up for a smoother and longer-lasting ride.

For additional details and other valuable guides, feel free to visit us at Rev 6.

Stay safe, savor the journey, and have fun with your newly broken-in RZR, Ranger and Sportsman 800 camshafts! Till next time, this is Mike, signing off from Rev 6.

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