how long did it take for your LS1 to start running strong?

My Z has 1070 miles and doesn't pull all that great. I've heard it takes until you get to around 3000-4000 miles before they losen up and start performing better.

When I had my 02 Z28 it didn't perk up until after 3000 miles on the dial.

I have to agree that the 3,000 mile mark seems to be the magic number.

uhm.....if your Z doesn't have gobs of power from the virgin key turning, take it back, cause there's something wrong with it!

Originally posted by tomslawsky
uhm.....if your Z doesn't have gobs of power from the virgin key turning, take it back, cause there's something wrong with it!

I agree. My car seemed to have plenty of power when I first got it (had 53 miles on it). I guess it's all relative, though. If you're noticing a -serious- lack of power, you have a problem. Even a new LS1 that hasn't been "broken in" yet should still have plenty of tire-screeching performance. :)

I will just see how it runs after 3000. I plan on having it dynoed at 3000 miles. I am waiting on my airlid and filter I ordered. Hopefully that will help a little. I hope I didn't get a dud. I noticed recently I might have a case a piston slap when the car is cold. Sounds slightly like a diesel truck.

Originally posted by blacknight
I will just see how it runs after 3000. I plan on having it dynoed at 3000 miles. I am waiting on my airlid and filter I ordered. Hopefully that will help a little. I hope I didn't get a dud. I noticed recently I might have a case a piston slap when the car is cold. Sounds slightly like a diesel truck.

I've noticed the piston slap too...................and IMO, it's bad:rolleyes: :(. Even my dad (who's a mechanic) has told me it doesn't sound right to him................................he understands that "they all do it", but still thinks that it makes an excessive amount of noise:mad:. To me, I hear what sounds like a combination of piston slap and lifter noise --- piston slap is obvious - it "sounds like" a diesel:rolleyes:.................and the "lifter noise" sounds like the noise lifters make when you're adjusting the valves on a motor --- that loose "clack clack clack" sound:think: (sorry for the bad onomatopoeia!!:D).

In terms of how "strong" it feels?????? The car now has almost 7500 miles on it, and has been driven just about every day since June 26th (over 3 months now), so I'd like to think it's "fully broken in", and yet I don't feel like it runs any different now than it did within the very first week I had it..............................the only difference is how hard I drive the car now --- at first I was a little easier on it, but I certainly didn't break it in "by the book" --- not WOT 24/7 either, but definitely not "babied" (and yes, it's had "the knock" since Day 1).

Well when I went to test drive a BRAND NEW 2001 SS last year, it didn't have all that much "feel" to me either.
I also thought that it might just be that it wasn't broke in yet,
but then I came to the conclusion that ALL LS1'S DON'T HAVE THE FEEL FOR ME! :D
Maybe you just need some of that good ol' LT1 love! :D
Naw, LS1 are KNOWN to run HARD, but its just not my piece of cake.
good luck with your "lack of power"

Originally posted by blacknight
I will just see how it runs after 3000. I plan on having it dynoed at 3000 miles. I am waiting on my airlid and filter I ordered. Hopefully that will help a little. I hope I didn't get a dud. I noticed recently I might have a case a piston slap when the car is cold. Sounds slightly like a diesel truck.

If I were you, I would dyno before the lid install.. Better to know a base line than what you have after a mod.. You may want to ask if you can make a pull then throw the lid and filter on to make another pull..

They may let ya..

I'm gonna put the lid on as soon as I get it. Then when I get 3000 miles on the car I will take the lid off and have it dynoed and then install the lid and run it again. Since the car only has little over 1000 miles I don't rev it higher than maybe 4000 rpm a bunch of times and I know these cars don't make max torgue until 4000 rpm. Maybe I'm just used to all the lowend torque my 5.0 stang makes.