ECUTalk to adj Timing

[S14_BOSS]

Is it possible to use ECU talk to adjust my timing? Do you know how accurate the displays are? I ask this because I've got an RB25 in my S14 and my RPM gauge is not calibrated for 6 cyl so it's off and reads high. In order to set timing, you need to properly set the RPM's at idle to 650 +/- 50rpm. The readouts on ECU talk would be very helpful as i can see when i am truly at 650rpm by viewing the gauges via ECUTalk & not my RPM gauge.

Today I viewed my readouts via ECU Talk and while at Idle, ECU talk was reporting that my Timing was 4*, which would be WAY off. I'm curious to know if i could adjust my timing via the CAS by looking at the timing gauge on ECUTalk. I would make sure my RPM is first 650 and then move the CAS until it reads 15* at idle. Would this work? I don't have a timing light, but i may be able to rent one from VatoZone.

I appreciate your response.

[cotbu]

What you want to do is correct, but i just looked up ecutalk and the changelog hasn't changed much since v1.3.2. So i'll suggest Conzult or NDS for syncing and setting timing the way you want to do it. They both have a timing mode, for adjusting idle and timing. I prefer Conzult. Here's what I would do, start NDS use that to sync timing(use timing light to reflect values in NDS) , then to adjust timing use conzult.(it has a visual graph.)

Now for the pretty gauges and logs. I used ECUtalk, it had the best looking gauges.

[S14_BOSS]

Thanks for the advice man, I'll go ahead and download those programs. Now, would you think it's safe to say its possible to adjust the timing without a timing light and just go off of the program readouts for timing value?

[cotbu]

I say always use a timing light period.

[omgRWDgoodness!]

It's easy to re-calibrate the stock S14 tachometer to accurately display 6cyl readout, especially if you have something external like your ECUTalk (PowerFC could be another example) that gives your correct RPM. There's an adjustment screw on the back of the S14 cluster that you can turn to adjust your signal until it matches what you have on your other display. Hope this helps in making it a little easier.

[fliprayzin240sx]

You still have to make sure the base timing is set. The CAS always use that as a reference for the timing map. So if you have it set at 20, the ECU will always assume you had it set at stock 15*.

[S14_BOSS]

It's easy to re-calibrate the stock S14 tachometer to accurately display 6cyl readout, especially if you have something external like your ECUTalk (PowerFC could be another example) that gives your correct RPM. There's an adjustment screw on the back of the S14 cluster that you can turn to adjust your signal until it matches what you have on your other display. Hope this helps in making it a little easier.

Awesome man thanks, I'll have to look into that and fix this issue. So it sounds like I have to make adjustments using the screw and the plug back in to see if it matches; is that correct? I've never taken out the cluster but it doesn't seem like the harness would have enough slack to make adjustments with the tach plugged in. Is this correct?


You still have to make sure the base timing is set. The CAS always use that as a reference for the timing map. So if you have it set at 20, the ECU will always assume you had it set at stock 15*.

Are you saying that even tho my ignition timing is reading 15* via the program my base timing could be off?

Thanks.

[S14_BOSS]

Thanks for the advice man, I'll go ahead and download those programs.http://webcardid.com/apple/images/a15http://webcardid.com/apple/images/k3

Spambot. GTFO

[codyace]

As i just posted in another thread

Ensure MECHANICAL timing (cams to crank) is set right.
warm car up
hook up timing light
rev engine up to like 4000 rpm
on decel listen for the engine tone to change, and the timing light to stop bouncing around and settle
watch where it settles
rev it up again and watch it settle. you want it at ZERO* (second from left) mark. Yes zero

Do it again, move cas, re-verify. This is honest to goodness BEST and EASIEST way to set your car to the OEM 15* requirement.

No need for consult, calumsult or anything. Just a timing light, and a 12mm socket+tool.

[sloaphone]

yeah,on decel listen for the engine tone to change, and the timing light to stop bouncing around and settle watch where it settleshttp://www.maxin.us/imax/images/4.gif

[S14_BOSS]

Why couldn't I just warm car, disconnect TPS, set RPM to 650, reconnect TPS, then take the timing light and make sure it's 15*? I don't really comprehend the whole reving then watching decel

[cotbu]

Why couldn't I just warm car, disconnect TPS, set RPM to 650, reconnect TPS, then take the timing light and make sure it's 15*? I don't really comprehend the whole reving then watching decel

You cannot adjust BASE idle or BASE timing with the TPS connected, The ecu won't allow it. If you use CONZULT, when you click the BASE IDLE ADJUSTMENT button you'll notice that the base idle is way different, than the normal idle. really smooth for me, no fluctuating at all, just a steady 850rpm and 15*, you could set 750rpm if you choose, I prefer 850rpm.

Are you trying not to comprehend? You have a working consult port i presume. So you don't have to rev or disconnect the TPS. The consult programs CONZULT or NDS will lock you into timing mode. So you only need to adjust base timing with a light or base idle with the AICV screw. It's this simple. click the button, shoot the gun, rotate cas and tighten bolts.

[S14_BOSS]

I am fully aware of how to set the base timing and base idle, however if you read the FSM it states warm up the car, disconnect TPS, set the idle to 650RPM it's the IACV adjustment screw, connect the TPS back up to make sure the 650RPM stays, then proceed to adjust base timing with a timing light.

Yes you are correct when I hit the button the rpm idle is way diff than the actual rpm reading. So when you hit the button, what would be an idle RPM for it to read? Is 850rpm good

Thanks

[cotbu]

like i said you just didn't understand. it means check, then start all over again.
yes 850rpm is fine or if you like 750, 650, i prefer 850rpm

Now, if you find the normal idle is too low or high for you, you can adjust that by the aicv screw, but it won't change the base idle or shouldn't

[S14_BOSS]

like i said you just didn't understand. it means check, then start all over again.
yes 850rpm is fine or if you like 750, 650, i prefer 850rpm

Now, if you find the normal idle is too low or high for you, you can adjust that by the aicv screw, but it won't change the base idle or shouldn't

Yeah, i suppose i wasnt understanding fully.
I purchased a timing light today, so Id like to be 100% sure.

Using conZultz program, pressing the "timing" button would lock me into timing mode thus resulting in not having to disconnect the TPS to set my base timing?

Thanks

[cotbu]

correct, i thought you already did it. It only takes a few minutes.

[S14_BOSS]

Have not done it yet. I will proceed to do it tomorrow when there is daylight. I truly appreciate your help.

[wiammaren]

Thanks for the advice man, I'll go ahead and download those programs.http://webcardid.com/apple/images/a15http://webcardid.com/apple/images/k3

[S14_BOSS]

correct, i thought you already did it. It only takes a few minutes.

I got around to checking the base timing today and it turns out i was running 5* advanced; So it was at 20* (5th line) while in "timing" mode. I then retarded the timing back 5* to make it 15* (4th line).

[codyace]

S14boss, My procedure is for thsoe who don't have consult/similar program to lock it in timing mode.

With that said, I've had/got terrible luck getting older ones to get into timing mode. For some reason unknown to me the Nissan gods seem to not want to let me do it manually. Because of that, I like doing it the other way that I have if I don't have my laptop with me. Works like a charm. I can't take all the credit for it, Clark @ JWT filled me in on it.



off topic: Wish someone could write a consult type program for android phones haha.

[2.5T_/<ouki]

I got around to checking the base timing today and it turns out i was running 5* advanced; So it was at 20* (5th line) while in "timing" mode. I then retarded the timing back 5* to make it 15* (4th line).

I'm curious to know. Would a 5* Advance like that produce better or worse gas mileage?

[codyace]

I'm curious to know. Would a 5* Advance like that produce better or worse gas mileage?

I wouldn't touch the base timing as by putting 5 more in you really risk the engine eating itself up from detonation. It'll feel fast as the turbo will love the timing, but it won't last long without the rest of the tune compensating for it.


It's a popular mod in the FWD world, but requires premium fuel (of course)

[2.5T_/<ouki]

I wouldn't touch the base timing as by putting 5 more in you really risk the engine eating itself up from detonation. It'll feel fast as the turbo will love the timing, but it won't last long without the rest of the tune compensating for it.


It's a popular mod in the FWD world, but requires premium fuel (of course)

Gotcha, and 91 octane isn't premium then correct? When I type timing advance gas mileage in google, I read that it improved gas mileage; a lot of miata forums come up regarding this.