same results I did. The 'feels better on downshifts' is I think attibutable to the same things...better throttle response when u just blip the throttle.
You'll see slight improvement in mileage as well- but only if you still drive it like before, which can now be a challenge!

 

My car's at the dealership right now having the timing advanced. I should have something to report later today or tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get the same results you and Galo got.

 

hey guys... i know this is possible to do in 3rd gens (manually), but can the timing be changed on a 4th gen like on a 5th gen? i've asked a couple of 4th gen guys and i was told that the timing on a 4th gen just regresses back to stock if changed... but i was hoping to get a different answer from you guys. thnks.

 

The 4th gen and the 5th gen won't be the same, except I hear maybe the '99.

They are using a Consult-II to change it, but it only works with 99+ ECUs. However, maybe the 96-98 guys have something like a Consult-I. Did the 4th gens have a Consult-I? Maybe that will do the same thing.

 

i don't know the answer to that question, but i guess i need to find out. is a nissan dealership a good place to start... or possibly a private (nissan specific) shop? any idea?

 

im taking mine to a nissan specific shop because they are the only ones around with a consult2 besides the dealer. if you have a shop like that around, id start there since if they are going to work on them they have to have the diagnostic tools whether there is a consult 1 or not. i would let the dealer be the last course unless youve got a good relationship with your dealer. i have a good relationship with mine but if i run into in any trouble at all i can take it to the dealer and play dumb cause they will figure no one else has access to the consult.

 

Your mechanic has a Consult-II?

Mang that's like 4-thousand bucks...where in the hell did you spen it. - Wantabee Ludacris

 

thnx for the advice...

 

Alrighty, boys and girls. I'm happy to report that getting your timing advanced is a

MUST DO MOD!

Galo's description is dead on the money. The throttle response has improved noticeably and the car simply accelerates faster at low and mid rpms.

Cost = $40.00.
Satisfaction factor = 10 (on a scale of 1 to 10).

The timing advance (to 17 degrees BTDC) now has my vote as the best bang-for-the-buck mod available for 5th Gen Maximas. My recommendation? BEFORE you install an intake . . . BEFORE you modify your exhaust system . . . get your timing advanced.

Any questions?

 

Feels good doesn't it?

I glad you got good results and confirmed that this wasn't just in my head.

 

Somehow I don't think my gas mileage will improve

 

That may not be a bad idea, blubyu2k2. In my case, I have a good relationship with my dealer. Even so, the Service Manager insisted on writing the following on my repair order:

"Dealer not responsible for performance of vehicle"

Keep in mind that 17 degress BTDC is within factory spec. Under the circumstances, I doubt there's much my dealer can do to void my warranty. And if the vehicle begins to act up, I can always set it back down to 15 degrees BTDC.

 

blu just told me that i accidentially posted that under his name. im real cool with my service guy and the owner of the dealership is a family friend but i thought id try the nissan specific place just in case so you dont have to catch any crap. besides their labor rate for half an hour is cheaper.

 

I just LOVE satisfied customers!!

Now, if we could just find a simple way to get two more degrees, eh?

Glad u like it...I guess we're gonna have an avalanche of folks shopping for performance-minded dealers and one bunch of wide-eyed tech service managers looking at us cross-eyed when we say: "I've come to advance my timing to +17 TDC".

 

Yep. Those who are interested in having their timing advanced should take a copy of the Consult printout in IceY2K1's post to their dealership to show them it can be done. Here's the link to the printout:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....timing+advance

 

Would someone be willing to host my Consult readouts? I'll send them to you in an e-mail. Then we can discuss the data on mine. To alleviate suspense, the data shows that the technican changed the timing from 0 degrees/15 degrees BTDC to 5 degrees/17 degrees BTDC. Obviously, these numbers don't add up. And no, they are NOT misprints. So how is that possible?

 

Did you ever figure this out?

 

I actually had the same results when I was using the consult machine. I doubt mine stuck b/c they didn't have the card needed for my car but they let me play with it anyway. Mine started at -1 degree/14-15 btdc it was flucuating. When I started advancing it I got it to 17btdc and +3 degrees but decided to try and get to 18btdc...While trying this I got to +5 degrees and it held at 17btdc so I set it back to +3 degrees. When I shut the down totally and disconnected the neg battery and plugged the consult back it it read 17btdc and +2 degrees. I haven't been back to see if it stuck but I will let you know as soon as I have a chance to get back to the shop. BTW I got it done free

 

I'm still not sure I understand.

I thought that the +/- degrees represented the change from the default. So if it was -1 degree it would be 14 (assuming 15 is default) and if it was +3 it would be 18.

Isn't the number in front of btdc degrees? That's why I didn't understand y2kse.

 

you are correct but as y2kse said as well as mine I went all the way to +5 degrees and it stayed at 17BTDC for some reason. If I understood better myself I might could help out but I'm just referring my experience as being similar to his. Your theory should be correct but from my results and his it seems to be skewed a little.

Matt

 

Ok. thanks.

I wonder if the computer is in some way limiting it to 17 despite the setting at 20. Maybe it is seeing some knock and retarding the timing to 17.

 

I think it's the ghost in the machine, Max_Gator. And no, I never did figure it out.

The most important number on the printout is the one that indicates where the timing advance is set. As long as that number says 17 degrees BTDC, you're good to go.

 

Please reread my post/GUESS on Page 1.

 

Little cut and paste. Per ICE on page 1:

BTW, I believe it is possible to advance the timing further, but it will require performing an "Idle Air Volume Learning" procedure once it's set at +3*. I believe you can then go to +5*, which is still within spec. Just an idea.

Idle Air Volume Learning Procedure:
-----------------------------------
Pre-conditioning
1)Battery voltage > 12.9V(At idle)
2)Engine coolant temp: 70-99*C(158-210*F)
3)PNP switch = ON
4)Electric load switch = OFF(air conditioner, headlamp, rear window defogger)
5)Cooling fan motor = OFF
6)Steering wheel = Neutral(straight-ahead position)
7)Vehicle speed = stopped(no duuuuh!)
8)Transmission = warmed-up(A/T drive until "Fluid temp SE" in "Data Monitor" mode of "A/T" system indicates < 0.9V.(M/T drive for 10mins.)

Operation Procedure
1)Turn ignition switch "ON" and wait at least 1-second.
2)Turn ignition switch "OFF" and wait at least 10-seconds.
3)Start engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
4)Check that all the items under "Pre-Conditioning" are correct.
5)Turn ignition switch to "OFF" and wait 10-seconds.
6)Start the engine and let idle for at least 30-seconds.
7)Select "IDLE AIR VOL LEARN" in "WORK SUPPORT" mode.
8)Touch "START" and wait 20-seconds.
9)Make sure that "CMPLT" is displayed on CONSULT-II screen. If "INCMP" is displayed, "Idle Air Volume Learning" will NOT be successful.
10)Rev up the engine two or three times. Make sure that idle speed and ignition timing are within spec..

Spec:
Idle Speed - M/T: 625+/-50rpm, A/T: 700+/-50rpm(in Park or Neutral)
Ignition Timing - M/T: 15*+/-5* BTDC, A/T: 15*+/-5* BTDC(in Park or Neutral)