Drive train / timming belt
sarsourus
05-06-2004, 01:37 AM
hey what is the difference between the drive train and timing belt and is their any way i can adjust either of the for better performance ?
sr20de4evr
05-06-2004, 01:40 PM
drive train - everything between the engine and tires (transmission, axles, etc)
timing belt - part of your engine that keeps the cams/valves in sync with the crank and cycle of the engine
You can advance the timing by physically turning the distributor forward slightly, this makes the spark plugs fire sooner and you get a more complete burn in the cylinder, but don't try this without a timing light and always run high octane gas afterwards. It will give you some extra power and improve your gas mileage slightly.
There's no way to reduce the losses in the drivetrain, other than a lightened flywheel or a manual transmission (if you have an auto).
timing belt - part of your engine that keeps the cams/valves in sync with the crank and cycle of the engine
You can advance the timing by physically turning the distributor forward slightly, this makes the spark plugs fire sooner and you get a more complete burn in the cylinder, but don't try this without a timing light and always run high octane gas afterwards. It will give you some extra power and improve your gas mileage slightly.
There's no way to reduce the losses in the drivetrain, other than a lightened flywheel or a manual transmission (if you have an auto).
sarsourus
05-06-2004, 01:45 PM
so u said turn the engine forwardmeaning clockwise?? and where can i get a timing light and what is it for....?? how many degrees in order to do it right then what do i have to do....
sr20de4evr
05-06-2004, 02:25 PM
It depends on your car man, I've never played with a ga16 so I can't help you. Try searching on www.nissanforums.com
The timing light hooks to your battery and the wire going to the first spark plug, every time the first spark plug fires the light blinks. You aim it at the timing belt and there's a line on the belt that lines up with a marker on the engine block. It tells you what the timing is, and you can advance or retard it and see how much it changes. On my car there are like 3-4 marks on the belt, stock is 15* advanced and there's a line there, each additional line is another 5*, so when I advanced mine I turned it just shy of the next mark to get a 19* timing. This is on a RR sr20 though, it will be different on your car.
The timing light hooks to your battery and the wire going to the first spark plug, every time the first spark plug fires the light blinks. You aim it at the timing belt and there's a line on the belt that lines up with a marker on the engine block. It tells you what the timing is, and you can advance or retard it and see how much it changes. On my car there are like 3-4 marks on the belt, stock is 15* advanced and there's a line there, each additional line is another 5*, so when I advanced mine I turned it just shy of the next mark to get a 19* timing. This is on a RR sr20 though, it will be different on your car.
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026