I have a question about breaking in a ZZ4. Now my ride has been sitting for a little over a year waiting for this transplant and in this time, my inspection has ran out. Now to break the motor in properly, you start it up and run it for 20-30 minutes at 2000 rpm to lube the cam, now I can't drive it (well I can but I'll get pulled over the second I hit the main roads with all the cops) with the old sticker. Did anyone here bring there car up to legal standards and then drop in the motor? And did you break in the motor then take it to the inspection station? I don't know what to do. My car is a cop eye catcher, so just driving it around is out of the question. Or is the ZZ4 already a bit broken in and not too really worry after the initial break in? Like how did you guys do it?

 

I got lucky and drove for 2 weeks with no sticker after my swap. The ZZ4 has a roller cam so there is not much of a break-in needed. A solid cam requires a more extended break-in. I changed the oil after a no load 20 minuet break-in and after 500mi. of light driving (under 4000rpm) and at 1000mi. change it again and then beat the snot out of it.

 

To use the more conventional terms, you need to do the 2000 RPM cam break-in with a "flat-tappet" cam only. Like 91 says, you don't need to do that with a ZZ4.

I did my smog first, then the engine. Just chicken, I guess.

Most states have a temporary license system that gives you time to get your inspection done before you get your tags. Try asking your DMV about that.