Timing Advance

[barrlucas]

I just got done resetting the timing on my 96 g20t, and All I have to say is that I should have done it sooner. It only took me about 5 miinutes. It seems to have worked right as everything is running correctly and I do notice better throttle response. I just have one question. Do I need to reset the ECU to take advantage of this? Thanks

[Yahnozha]

you *could* if you wanted to, but he ECU will adjust itself the more you drive....

[CowboyDren]

I've found that the car tends to take advantage of the change more quickly if you disconnect the battery overnight. The more you drive, the more the ECU optimizes, but if you don't reset the ECU, it takes a little longer to realize full effect.

[greekman]

barrlucas,
couldn't agree more. i advanced mine to 17* from the stock 11*. response was felt right away, but the more i drive the better it gets, or at least i think. maybe i just punch it more b/c i have a little more power now. what did you advance to?

[barrlucas]

I advanced to about 18 but probably closer to 19. I did it two days ago without resetting the ecu. It seems to be getting better the more I drive it. I really noticed it on my way to work today. Anyone that has not done the timing advance I suggest that you go ahead and do it, it's free and only takes five minutes. All you need is a ratchet and a timing light.

[Chris]

don't forget that you must cough up the extra $$ for premium fuel after the timing advance.. unless you want engine knock!

..it may be free to make the change, but to use it properly does have a long term price associated with it!

[CowboyDren]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, but my engine runs so much more efficiently with the advanced timing that I'm actually spending less money on 91o than I was on 87 before the change. Before, I'd go five or six days on a tank of fuel. Now I go six or seven.

[JustinP10]

This mod actually sorta bypasses the ECU, the ecu still sees 15 degrees base timing regardless of what your mechanical settnig is at. There really isn't a learning curve for the ecu on this mod. That's why you can adjust it on the dyno and see the results right away. If you plug a consult into your car it'll show 15 degrees timing (what the ECU shows) regardless of what you set your timing to on the distributor.

[92G]

what is the best way to hook the timing light into the no. 1 wire?

[JustinP10]

Originally posted by 92G
what is the best way to hook the timing light into the no. 1 wire?

With most lights it just clips around the spark plug wire, there is a clip attached to the light for this purpose.

[blk_g20]

where exactly do you aim the timing gun at?

[greekman]

Originally posted by blk_g20
where exactly do you aim the timing gun at?

stand in front of the passenger side axle, aim your gun down and shoot. you will see 1 pulley easily. go to the right of that and when you shoot your gun it will flash on another pulley revealing the timing marks.

[92G]

do you have to cut into the wire or do you pull it out and do it because it doesn't work with it just on the outside.

[my litl g20]

just clip if over the wire. there is no need to cut it or take it out.

i found that if i left my batt undone for a day, then drove the h ll out my car, that it was considerable faster then before. however, in like a week and a half it went back to the same.

[Aguapolo17]

So wait, are you saying that when you advance your timing, you have to pay for 91 octane fuel, but. . .the advantages of the timing advance only last like a week? After that, your car drives as it always does???

[JustinP10]

Originally posted by my litl g20
just clip if over the wire. there is no need to cut it or take it out.

i found that if i left my batt undone for a day, then drove the h ll out my car, that it was considerable faster then before. however, in like a week and a half it went back to the same.

I'm pretty sure that's just your mind playing tricks on you. Resetting the ECU will not make your car considerably faster, unless of course for some reason your ECU is broken or has bad programming, both of which I doubt.

Originally posted by Aguapolo17
So wait, are you saying that when you advance your timing, you have to pay for 91 octane fuel, but. . .the advantages of the timing advance only last like a week? After that, your car drives as it always does???

No, he's saying that his gas mileage improved so much due to the advanced timing he's getting better mileage to the point where the better mileage outweighs the extra cost of 91 octane gas. He spends more per gallon, but each gallon goes so much farther that he spends less in the end cause he isn't buying gas so often.

[blk_g20]

where is the TPS wire that i have to disconnect? i have a 92 and i looked near the driverside firewall and can't seem to locate it. i read somewhere that is a brown color connector?

[poppy_morenito]

Does any one have a write up with picture on this ? A timing advance for dummies for me ?? llol

And can your really buy a timing light at Kmart ?

[blk_g20]

went to autozone and bought a timing gun for $30 but cant seem to work it...so i clip the red to positive terminal and black to ground on body, and the third one, a green one, is suppose to clip on the plug wire #1 right? the one closest to the passenger side, right? when i do so, and sqeeze the trigger...nothing happens...is the gun defective or am i not doing it right.

[92G]

The same thing is happening to me.