For those who have advanced their timing... Options

[GotToyota]

I remember reading all over the place that if you advance the timing, you will get a bit more power/response, etc. How does one go about doing it? Does it at all affect the reliability of the car, or the efficiency? Will it harm my gas at all? I'd like to hear feedback from those that have done it.

[808celica]

well i dont really know the exact reason and result on does timing advancement, but my timing was already advanced when i got my car. i know you have to run higher octance fuel, yes it somewhat does give better performance. i think my timing is at +13??? gas mileage is around 24mpg city driving

[Akirad1]

hey Matt i looked it up for ya, heres one for the 5th gen 5Sfe but it prolly the same concept.
http://www.toyotacelicaonline.com/timing.htm

[Project7afte]

Wow, I didn't know that much power could be gained by advancing your timing. I think I might put mine up to about 19 now, since I already use 93 fuel anyways.

[Bitter]

its not as linear as that and is different for every application.

a little more peppy, a little more power all over, and i've noticed slightly better low rpm acceleration (accelerating in high gear at highway speed). burning 89 octane fuel with what seem like normal knock counts and the plugs look just a little on the hot side of normal.


night and day difference? hell no.
small gain? yea...i suppose.

[Batman722]

Wow, I didn't know that much power could be gained by advancing your timing. I think I might put mine up to about 19 now, since I already use 93 fuel anyways.

not with your 96. Only the 95 and under have an adjustable distributor.

[Daftboy]

This post has been edited by Daftboy: Sep 18, 2008 - 10:34 PM

[shortydragon]

how much do timing lights usaually run for?

[Spider77]

Dont know how much timing lights go for, I know that most auto places have the loan a tool program (pay deposit, get it back when done). Matt, you gonna do this? If you do let me know how it is.

[GotToyota]

I might, but I have a feeling if I don't have someone with me that knows that they're doing, that I will mess up my timing.

[Spider77]

I hear you, Im waiting for my friend to do this with his integra, so I can see how hard it really is. Im not all that sure about having to pay for the extra octane though....has still to drop any here where Im at...like 4.89 for the premium, and thats been since a week ago.

[Project7afte]

Wow, I didn't know that much power could be gained by advancing your timing. I think I might put mine up to about 19 now, since I already use 93 fuel anyways.

not with your 96. Only the 95 and under have an adjustable distributor.

Are you sure about that? I have a Haynes repair manual that says all of them are adjustable, plus I'm taking it to my local Toyota dealer tomorrow to have it done since I don't feel like buying a timing light. They told me it could be done on my car earlier, but I'll verify that tomorrow.

[k-weaver]

Wow, I didn't know that much power could be gained by advancing your timing. I think I might put mine up to about 19 now, since I already use 93 fuel anyways.

not with your 96. Only the 95 and under have an adjustable distributor.

Are you sure about that? I have a Haynes repair manual that says all of them are adjustable, plus I'm taking it to my local Toyota dealer tomorrow to have it done since I don't feel like buying a timing light. They told me it could be done on my car earlier, but I'll verify that tomorrow.

No, 96 and up you cannot adjust the timing. The main reason is that the distributor doesn't turn, it can only go in one way. Also, I believe IF you were able to get it to turn (like put a 95 distributor on a 96) the ECU would correct the difference. I know this because I tried to advance mine on a 96 and was not able to because I couldn't move the distributor. Also, I checked the timing on mine and factory settings appear to be at 10 degrees above TDC (someone correct me if i'm wrong).

[Batman722]

not with your 96. Only the 95 and under have an adjustable distributor.

Are you sure about that? I have a Haynes repair manual that says all of them are adjustable, plus I'm taking it to my local Toyota dealer tomorrow to have it done since I don't feel like buying a timing light. They told me it could be done on my car earlier, but I'll verify that tomorrow.

yes I'm sure about that.
take it to a dealer so they can advance your timimg ?

[DEATH]

not with your 96. Only the 95 and under have an adjustable distributor.

Are you sure about that? I have a Haynes repair manual that says all of them are adjustable, plus I'm taking it to my local Toyota dealer tomorrow to have it done since I don't feel like buying a timing light. They told me it could be done on my car earlier, but I'll verify that tomorrow.

yes I'm sure about that.
take it to a dealer so they can advance your timimg ?

X2 You can turn it just like any other distributer on any year of these cars but the ecu is just gonna put the timing right back where it wants it on the 96+ [Experience with numerous GTs anyway - can't speak for the STs].
Furthermore, changing the timing is easily done by anyone with a light and a Haynes manual the problem is you can run into problems if you don't know what you're doing. You can't just run any old timing you want - there are things like knock to consider.
I agree with Batman on his other point too - what Toyota dealership is gonna advance your timing from what the BGB says?

This post has been edited by DEATH: Sep 20, 2008 - 1:05 PM

[Bitter]

btw, i welcome anyone in chicago-land to take a ride in the 7afe powered geo to see how some simple mods add up. i cant figure why anyone would want a 4age swap when you can get just about the same power (butt dyno) from the 7afe with a little tweeking. my 93 prizm lsi with 7afe feels as slow as someones 91 prizm gsi (small port 4age).

[Akirad1]

I hear you, Im waiting for my friend to do this with his integra, so I can see how hard it really is. Im not all that sure about having to pay for the extra octane though....has still to drop any here where Im at...like 4.89 for the premium, and thats been since a week ago.

whoa Josh what part of Funky Town you in

[zero07]

Well my dads a master toyota tech , and he said while laughing at me, "start the car, loosen the distributor and start turning it, when it starts to ping you can advance it anywhere before that without damaging your engine".

He also said that you need to test it at different points and mark it every time you advance it, to see what works best and feels best for your car.

[Bitter]

thats a pretty rough way of doing it, i'd use a timing light for sure.

[zero07]

My dads been a mechanic for like 28 years, hes a pretty savvy guy.

[Spider77]

I hear you, Im waiting for my friend to do this with his integra, so I can see how hard it really is. Im not all that sure about having to pay for the extra octane though....has still to drop any here where Im at...like 4.89 for the premium, and thats been since a week ago.

whoa Josh what part of Funky Town you in

You know, I just noticed that....its like im in a different state...I ment 3.89 (almost 4 dollars)...man 4.89 would really suck.

[Akirad1]

I hear you, Im waiting for my friend to do this with his integra, so I can see how hard it really is. Im not all that sure about having to pay for the extra octane though....has still to drop any here where Im at...like 4.89 for the premium, and thats been since a week ago.

whoa Josh what part of Funky Town you in

You know, I just noticed that....its like im in a different state...I ment 3.89 (almost 4 dollars)...man 4.89 would really suck.

yeah i was thinking that lol

[Stambo]

just advanced my 7afe today. I never checked the timing since i got the car (only 4 months old). My autos teacher said it was around 8 degrees which was low. So i think we got it to like 11 or 12 as much as the dizzy cap would go.

[stephen_lee]

just advanced my 7afe today. I never checked the timing since i got the car (only 4 months old). My autos teacher said it was around 8 degrees which was low. So i think we got it to like 11 or 12 as much as the dizzy cap would go.

if you put it as far as the dist. wuld go... well i got mine to about 25 and still had room to go...

[Stambo]

i tilted mine clockwise and i have no more room to go?i had a bunch of room to go the other way.

[Bitter]

USE A TIMING LIGHT, DO NOT JUST TWIST AND GUESS

[Spider77]

Yeah bitter is right, use a timing light. If you dont you hae no idea on how far you might of advanced your timing. IIRC the stock setting is 10, so if you have 8 your timing is retarded.

[Stambo]

I DID USE A TIMING LIGHT!

[Bitter]

i wasn't specifically addressing you or anyone, just trying to make it clear.

[GotToyota]

Stambo, how does it feel now? Would you recommend doing it?

[Stambo]

sorry bitter i just hate how if i leave one thing out in a post everyone looks down on me, I apologize.

Well since my timing was slightly retarded i got it up a bit more than factory. I think its barely noticeable but its not a bad idea just to check. Since my distributor cap is all the way clock wise, my auto teacher said its about 11 degrees. Would i just have to set the timing light to like 14 or 15 or is that all i'm going to get out of my 7a?

[Bitter]

you did remember to jump the terminals in the diagnostic connector right?

[Stambo]

yup we did that.