How Do I Adjust Ignition Timing?

[simpletool]

OK, the situation is my car is pinging lightly in the cold weather. I know it has been on a dyno with the previous owner and had the timing advanced, it has the standard computer and running ~9psi with a turbosmart bleed valve. I know how to adjust ignition timing with a distributor but not entirely sure how with a crank angle sensor.

So what do I need to do to retard the timing a touch?

1. Do I need to disconnect anything or follow a certain order for it to be effective?

2. Do I need to turn it clockwise (I'm assuming it's clockwise)

3. Is there anything special I should know?

A little advice would be much appreciated as if I could just take it back a few degrees that would give me great piece of mind.

Also, why I'm here, does adjusting the CAS even make much of a difference? I assume it's the only way I can ajust the timing with the standard computer.

Thanks.

[simpletool]

oohhh c'mon somebody must know how to do this? It must be fairly simple yeah?

[Craved]

have the base timing moved back to 15 degree BTDC by adjusting the Crank angle sensor

[chrissso]

Well, you need a timing light.

Then put a mark on the cas and the plate that it sits on so you know where your start point is.

clamp the timing light onto cylinder one lead. I saw it dont by resting the sensor ontop of coilpack ocvers once - it worked.

Then you undo 3 bolts holding the cas on and twist it while looking at the marks on the main drive pulley.. There should be some marks that line up with it.

Then bolt it up when you have achieved you desired timing.

I don't know which way toturn it to retard it.

It's not real hard to figure that out when your doing it though.

[proengines]

Theres a black wire loop behind the drivers side tappet cover that you can clip your timing light pickup on to.

[Chi3f]

Be sure to have the engine at normal running temp (take it for a 10 min drive before doing it.), i'm not sure on the exact reason why but iv heard numerous bad stories from people who havnt.

[mad082]

Be sure to have the engine at normal running temp (take it for a 10 min drive before doing it.), i'm not sure on the exact reason why but iv heard numerous bad stories from people who havnt.

one reason is that when the engine is cold it runs different to when its warm (cold start, etc)

[HRthirtyone]

doesnt it spark on exhaust and intake stroke making it harder for n00bs?

[Craved]

dont think that skylines run a wasted spark system

[WazR32GTSt]

if you don't know how to change it then i would say its best not to...

go to your local tuner and spend an hour on the dyno.. they will adjust the timing for you and show you any power rise and it'll be done properly and safely..

[RANDY]

dont think that skylines run a wasted spark system

Jah, one coil per cylinder, no wasted spark.

So as Craved indicates, checking the timing should be no issue. Ignition timing is partially done by the ECU, and partially set by the base timing (CAS).

With your stock ECU, everyone is on the money with checking the timing. Might be easier to set the CAS back to factory, then reset the ECU and let it do its job... it's probably retarding the timing as much as it can, but with the base so far advanced, it can only bring it back roughly to zero. (15BTDC anyway)