Setting ignition timing?

Post by **Merlin** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 11:21 am

Who has done this to their own car? Or who knows the what a garage set theirs to?

I know that Ludes ignition timing should be set to 15 degrees +/- 2. But how do you know if it should be set to anything other than bang on 15 degrees?

BMCC · Post by **BMCC** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 12:37 pm

By the look of the manual I'd say check the timing so that the red mark and pointer line up. If you do this then it will be approx 15 degrees with an error of 2 degrees either way. probably as accurate as your going to get using the timing light red mark pointer method.

My Pulsar should be 20 degrees BTDC +-2 degrees but the manual will say to use a similar method to the Prelude. The +-2 degrees is just the error when using this method. The ECU will adjust ignition timing when the car is not idling.

Post by **Merlin** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 12:52 pm

Is +/- 2 really an error factor? I thought that it represents the maximum safe levels you can advance or retard the timing? hence the red mark on the flywheel and the max/min 2 degrees either side. The service manual is not clear on this.

Really what I want to know is should all H22's, be it stock or built, have its timing set to bang on 15 degrees? And let the ECU sort out the rest?

BMCC · Post by **BMCC** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 12:58 pm

Could be wrong on that one

I think some lights have an advance function so it could be that you are right. I'd just time it up so that the red mark and pointer are stationary under the light. This should be 15 degrees BTDC.

Maybe PAW could answer your question, it might be that some engines could do with more and some less ignition but it is not something I'd like to experiment with on my car..........

Post by **Merlin** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 1:01 pm

BMCC wrote:Maybe PAW could answer your question, it might be that some engines could do with more and some less ignition but it is not something I'd like to experiment with on my car..........

Yup. At the moment my distributor is set the same as what was on my old H22a2 but it seems to run fine. The bolt marks on the distributor are in the same place as before. I know Vanzep's Lude could do with the timing looked at.

BMCC · Post by **BMCC** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 1:23 pm

Looking at the manual again, 4-16 (70 of 1376) there is a mark either side of the red mark. Could these be the +-2 degrees the manual is talking about? If so I would have thought you would want to take the car for some dyno time and see how the +-2 degrees of timing affect the power output of the car. Only way your going to know (hopefully safely).

Post by **Merlin** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 1:26 pm

BMCC wrote:Looking at the manual again, 4-16 (70 of 1376) there is a mark either side of the red mark. Could these be the +-2 degrees the manual is talking about?

Yes that is what I was on about.

Post by **Merlin** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 3:10 pm

@Bri after reading through old PUK threads it seems you are the man in the know. Care to comment? Pretty much all the posts on PUK said to put it to 15 BTDC.

Supercharged 無限MUGEN BB1 Profile · Post by **nucleustylzlude** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 4:52 pm

Merlin wrote:@Bri after reading through old PUK threads it seems you are the man in the know. Care to comment? Pretty much all the posts on PUK said to put it to 15 BTDC.

Is this for the track car with Dino's old engine in? If you've not touched it then it will be a case of checking the timing to 15 degrees yes. But to confuse you more Rich may have advanced, retarded or overlapped the cam gears while tuning. So maybe best to speak to him.

Post by **Merlin** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 5:04 pm

Yup it is one of the things in the back in my mind. It is one of the only things that may be different between Dino's and my build. I think I am going to get a performance garage to look at my ignition timing and dyno it. Although everything suggests the engine is running well, but I would like it spot on if it isnt already.

It is also a general question as I know Vanzep needs his looked at. We can get hold of a timing light and so I was wondering if we should just set it to 15 BTDC or if there were any indicators of why you should advance it further or retard it a little.