Advancing Timing: Questions

[nis.k.a.]

Advancing or retarding timing with stock parts won't GIVE you hp. What it does is simply move power from one part of your powerband to another part of your powerband. Take advancement of timing, it shifts some of the power from your top-end to the low-end where it is more usable. Thus you will be faster off the line, but your usual mid-top range power will suffer and vice versa. Very rarely you will actually get hp from adjustable cam sprockets, not to mention it takes a lot of dyno time to make sure. It's a trade off.

[gdalton]

Mike K. got 6whp above peak when he messed with the timing on a dyno. After advancing my timing there was a noticable difference not only in the low end but all the way to redline. I believe it gives you a nice little boost in power from idle to redline but that is just my butt dyno so I could be wrong.

[jasestu]

Originally posted by gdalton
Mike K. got 6whp above peak when he messed with the timing on a dyno. After advancing my timing there was a noticable difference not only in the low end but all the way to redline. I believe it gives you a nice little boost in power from idle to redline but that is just my butt dyno so I could be wrong.

Ummm, tuning on the dyno is somewhat more scientific than messing with it yourself and selecting 15, 19, 17 or 21 degrees yourself...

Tee hee, glad you realise the limitations of the SOTP method or butt dyno!

[jasestu]

Oh yeah, AWD Primera, did you get your timing adjusted? How'd it go? If not, are you coming to Taupo Easter weekend? We can tweak it then...

[nis.k.a.]

Originally posted by gdalton
Mike K. got 6whp above peak when he messed with the timing on a dyno. After advancing my timing there was a noticable difference not only in the low end but all the way to redline. I believe it gives you a nice little boost in power from idle to redline but that is just my butt dyno so I could be wrong.

I find it hard to believe that you wouldn't lose power somewhere in your powerband. I can understand gaining hp in certain parts, but I can't believe throughout the powerband with stock parts.

[akuma810]

you can gain hp, timing adjustment doesnt require aftermarket parts, your just sparking early so the fuel can burn longer (higher octane) mean more power and im pretty sure its throughout the powerband. i know theres a dyno chart sumwhere here or on sr20de.net or sumplace.

[nis.k.a.]

Originally posted by akuma810
you can gain hp, timing adjustment doesnt require aftermarket parts, your just sparking early so the fuel can burn longer (higher octane) mean more power and im pretty sure its throughout the powerband. i know theres a dyno chart sumwhere here or on sr20de.net or sumplace.

It's still hard for me to swallow. I would need to see the chart to convince my hard head. I think you mis-understood me. I'm fully aware that hp can be gained in a certain part of the powerband by adjusting your timing but not without sacrificing power from somewhere else in your powerband. I could fathom gaining hp with aftermarket adjustable cam sprockets because they are independently adjustable unlike the stock counterparts.

[AWD Primera]

Hi guys,

I need some help trying to figure out this ignition timing thing. I have my hands on a timing light. It says to plug it in between the number one lead and number one spark plug. I did this fine. I have been reading the timing instructions on sr20de.net and did what it said about warming up, disconnecting the TPS etc..
Now Ive hit a problem. Got my timing light hooked up and ready to go, but where do I am the thing. I thought it was meant to be aimed at a belt on the drivers side(US Passengers side) of the engine. But when I aim it down there I dont see any timing marks. The timing light flashes continuously but Im no seeing any marks. Can someone help me out. P.S. Its a 92 Primera (P10).

One other thing, can someone explain exactly how to rotate the distributor housing to advance the timing. I.E. What screw do I loosen to turn it and where do I find it?

Help much appreciated...:silly2:

[howard_w13]

How far can I advance my timing and still use 87 octane?

[gdalton]

Ok AWD Primera, aim the light at the crank pulley I think it is the lowest pulley on the car, you will see a little pointer at the top of the pulley. To adjust the distributor there are two bolts on a flange that holds the dist. in place just loosen the bolts and rotate the whole thing towards the front bumber to advance or towards the firewall to retard I believe this is correct but it has been a while since I have done this my self so the rotation of the dis. might go the other way.
Howard, if you are going to use 87 octane I would suggest not going over 15 deg and if you go up to 92-93 octane then you can safely advance it to 19 deg which is what I run.
I hope all this helps.

[Cue-Ball]

Advancing your timing will give you more power all across the entire rev range. This is not a case of "moving" power further up the powerband and there is no loss of power at high RPMs. Just as someone else said, advancing the timing allows the fuel to spark earlier and burn longer which gives you more power. The trade-off is that you have to use higher octane fuel to prevent knocking (detonation). So, even though it might not cost you anything to do this mod, it's not really "FREE" since you'll be paying more for gasoline than you normally would. And don't expect anything drastic. You're only looking at a <5hp gain, at most. I, personally, run my timing at the stock settings. The few hp i'll gain is not worth the extra trouble and expense to me.

Also, aftermarket cams don't always respond well to timing advances. IIRC, the JWT cams are specifically designed to run at the stock 15* timing.

[v_knot]

I completely agree with this post!
There is no shifting of the power band. If properly tuned, it'll add 3-5 whp to your current stock.

You must use higher octane! Anything below 92 might detonate the engine.

I recently got mine advanced and I notice significant difference in acceleration.