14 deg timing advance, but only for the first ~4000rpm

[danielfarley]

Hi, i have a 1991 NA and have read i will bring my peak torque down by 400rpm if i advance my timing to 14 deg, but in doing so i will lose a little top end power.

I work with electronics a bit and am thinking of trying to program up a micro controller so i can plug it in between the cam angle sensor and the ECU and use this to advance the timing for the low revs and gain the extra torque, but go back to standard timing for the high revs to keep the HP.

Any thoughts on doing this? anyone know of a plug in module that already does this?

Thanks Daniel

[sprsta]

I have a plug in link ecu that does this
are you thinking of using a servo type thing to move the cas
or delay the pulses to the ecu?
it sounds to me like more hassel than it is worth

[Growler]

Standard is around 10 degrees. When I bumped mine up to 14 degrees I didn't notice any loss low down but a big difference around mid range.
I have run 98 octane fuel and 14 degrees for around 8 years with no dramas whatsoever.
I think it is a lot of work for little gain personally.

[Bonjing]

So, what would the return be with 12', not 14?

[zorruno]

Any thoughts on doing this? anyone know of a plug in module that already does this?

Hi Daniel, that's basically what most ECUs do, allow change to timing based on a configurable curve. My piggyback GReddy Blue does this and I paid $500 a few years back, and the Link or Megasquirt allows this and more as they are full ECU replacements.

If you are an electronics tinkerer (I am too), and with time on your hands, feel free to give it a go, but remember these cars have been around since 1989 - probably easier to grab something someone has already designed. Less fun though, so don't let me stop you!

[zorruno]

So, what would the return be with 12', not 14?

14 degrees isn't a magic number, that is just the advance that most people have said over the years that they get better midrange and high rev power, with no detonation. Some people have said they can advance to 16 degrees without issue.

The tradeoff could be anywhere in the torque curve for your car - that is why a programmable ECU is so useful - you can set any timing you like in a specific rev bracket. You just need to try it (and report back)

[siren676]

6 year thread bump