To those of you with VE motors and advanced timing, how far ahead have you adjusted your ignition timing, and how many of you are using a pressure regulator to ensure you have sufficient fuel in the top end.

Also, i havent got a factory manual and will not buy a chilton's/ haynes manual. I have a Mitchel on Demand, but cant get it working with my pc w/ win2k. Anyhow, the underhood states for stock base ignition to be 15BTDC. On the crank pulley, are the timing marks increments of 1, 2, or 5degrees? I am assuming they are 5degrees, the first being 0, then 5, then the 10 etc. I have mine set to the marking between the second andthird marks. The car seems to drive best there. I need someone to maybe indicate what the marks exactly are, or i have to seriously setup my computer to run Mitchels.

 

I used the info on Craig's website how to section to advance my timing. You can use a timing gun to be exact, or just use those instructions. If there is knocking just back off some. And be sure to use 91+ octane gas.

 

I tried 5* adv for several months, it was ok no real difference
Bump it up to 20* now it made a difference
Recently after rebuilding my VTC I bump it to 25* WOW what a big difference. No pinging knocking, nada (with premium fuel of course) Throttle response increase 10x, to say the least I happy with 25*

 

Wow mike, that sounds like a lot. Are you using a JWT computer? I think the computer already advances the timming 9 degrees or something, So I guess as long as you arent doing both it should be okay.

When I go to the track, I'm gonna run my car with stock timming, then advance it 4 degrees, and now since you have gone up to 10 I'll try slighly higher than four, but since I didnt mark my CPS I'll be guessing. I did mark it for the 4 deg advance position.

 

The reason why I bump it up that high because a few VG guys has been running 25* for many years without any problem and I figured why not the VE

 

how can you guys just advance timing without a gun??? how do you know your timing is set properly to begin with?? How do you know some chooch mechanic set the timing improperly, and all you are doing is either bringing timing to factory recomendations, or bumping it way too far?

 

To begin with I did use a timing light to adv mine, I also used a extra spark plug wire and hook it up so I could plug the OEM coil pack boot onto one end of the wire and of course the other end is on the plug. Some have tried hooking the timing light inductive pick-up on the injector harness but that will give you a incorrect reading. If you're aware of the VE injector cycles you will see how this will give you a incorrect reading. Like most here I'm a DIY's, I'm fortunate enough I don't have to bring my car to a mechanic for anything (besides tranny) from bumper to bumper, mechanical or electrical, nada. But you are right, how does anyone know what a "chooch" mechanic will do. Mechanics are like barbers, once you find a good one you stick with them even if their prices go up.

 

well, the car is running weird again, i drove it tonight, it didnt ping, i guess it was too busy having a funny idle. It is acting the same as when the alternate quit the last two times. Maybe my stereo is killing the alternator, i dont feel like going with a separate battery and isolator setup.

I set the timing with a gun as well, but i cant figure out what the mark increments are. I assume they are 5deg increments.

i cant be bothered with the maxima and its electronic hiccups, i will just take it to the ex. nissan mech tech i usually take it to. It will have to wait a couple of weeks as the colt is getting a fuel pump ugprade. Its the only thing i truly am scared of doing is messing with fuel tanks.

I myself am a DIY, except for electronic troubleshooting in cars like the maxima, legend, any bmw. Kinda weird as i am an electrician, yet i hate doing car electrical(stereo excluded).

The way i see it too sometimes, my time is money, and if the mechanic i know can figure it out quicker than i can, plus he has the Nissan Consult, then i will pay for his time and save myself some time. Im lucky enough to have four cars to choose from to drive.

In time, i will figure this thing out. The main delay is that i rarely drive the maxima, so i can put the fix off for a while. Its been about a year now that ive let it slide, but i figure the rear motor mount is gone, so i may as well fix what ever else is wrong.

Sorry for the length, just came back from the pub for a couple pints and i am type happy.

 

I advanced my timing without the benefit of a timing gun! I marked the original location though, so if anything happen I can reset it. But it runs very well indeed with the advanced timing! I never had any pinging or anything. The only problem I have is that dreaded hesitation/stall thingy, but it has been happening before advancing timing. It does get rid of the 'heat soak' problem.

 

I just thought of a good posibility, it could be your crankshft positioning sensor going bad, Its expensive, so I think you should go to Nissan (nissan is the only place that can properly diagnose your engine, NO other mechanics have the Consult diagnostic tool).

 

hmm, the more i learn about my max, the more i find out that its not as fast as it should be. i still smoke everything i encounter (except those pesky ///Motorsport vehicles...) so it makes me wonder. now, do i sell my ghetto intake for a stillen at a $20 loss or do i get a new ghetto intake complete with apexi powerflow filter? is the velocity stack worth the $20? (plus with the stillen, i get a clean filter..haha)

how much should a CONSULT session cost at a nissan dealer?

 

i see all my work is still going to good use

right on

you don't need a timing light to set it
just listen to the motor.

i never used one on my old 92 se
never needed one

 

I didnt use a timing light on mine, just did the ole move it a few millimeters (I marked the stock location of course).

However, I'm not sure I've noticed any difference

 

move it more? thats what i plan to do...when i get the time and motivation.

 

The guy i take my car to used to work for Nissan five years ago, and he has the Consult. So not ONLY nissan has the consult.
Plus, the dealerships only recognize the newer model maximas. The guys there look at my maxima like its an old chevette.

The CAS is possible, but im not sure it would even come up in a scan. It might be a trial and error thing with sensors. I had a bad ecu, VTC output not functioning, and neither Nissan or my mechanics consult picked that up.

But now that i think of it, he just swapped in a new used motor into a 92 maxima, the old one had a timing chain blow apart. (350K kms on the motor) i have to talk to him about maybe taking some sensors off that motor. I cant believe i didnt think of that when i was there. oh yeah, i was more concerned with my colt at the time!!

Thanks for turning on the switch!!( i got an idea)

 

i just advanced my timing today on my ve without a timing light first marked it and moved it a small amount didnt realy notice any improment so i moved it about a .25 inch and noticed a big improvement ill see tommarow how it runs but so far so good and the engine didnt sound any different just alot more torq

 

Damn I remember those days, the days when you could R&R a head gasket from those all iron built detroit engines and put the heads back on without a torque wrench all on your lunch hour With todays "high tech" automobile I thought everything was about scanners, consult, lap tops, etc. heck I even choice to use the timing light. I guess I'm dating myself, but those were the days.

 

you'd be amazed at what you can fix just by listening to a motor.
who needs scanners???
i just need a datalogger