so much misinformation flying around in this thread...so here's some facts:

1. Timing can be advanced to 17deg on the 00, 18 deg on 01 (IIRC), and 20 on the 02-03. It WILL "stick" and won't change back. That only happens in 4th gens.

2. It can only be done with the Consult 2 tool. It takes 2 minutes to do, and is not complicated.

3. When getting it done, make sure to get the idle reset.

4. Most dealers won't do it "on the books"....best bet is to bribe a tech with some cash to do it out back of the shop.

5. It has not been provent to increase actual horsepower. The main benefit that everyone notices is a smoother engine tone and quicker throttle response. Don't consider this a "power" mod, but more of a "quickness" mod.

6. It will not kill your knock sensor any faster than usual, especially if you use premium gas. I have had NO knocking since my advance, except for sometimes when I dump mid-grade in for long road trips to save a few cents.

7. It is more noticeable on the 00-01 than on the 02-03. Don't ask me why....me (00) and soonerfan (02) had ours done at the same time. Mine was VERY noticeable, his was just a little bit.

8. you may get more knocking if you are at higher elevations (up in the rockies, for instance) because of the thinner air. Your car may be set stock to 14 or 13 degrees stock, rather than 15 like most, to compensate. Advance it 2 degrees and see if you like it....don't go 13 to 17 IMO.

 

Excellent summary Josh!

IMO this should make it to stickies as many orgers often ask these questions about timing advance and this puts it all in one place nicely...

 

DONE!

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....336post4621336

post #132

 

sorry to add another question to this thread as you guys seem to be burnt outta the subject, but Josh's summary said an "OBDII" scanner, can this only be the Consult @ Nissan, or should my mechanics OBDII be able to do the job. It is not one of those crummy generic ones, its def a decent scanner. thx

 

sorry bro....mistype (how ironic that I put misinformation in my anti-misinformation post ). I meant CONSULT 2 tool.....I was looking at the OBD scanner I have sitting in my hallway when I wrote it, apparently....got OBD on the brain

now fixed in original post.

 

Doesn't matter, some idtiots are just born stupid and still wont look in there no matter how many times tehy're told.

 

so it is worthless to get a 4th gen timing advanced because it would go back to normal setting?

 

Worthless.

 

IIRC, that is correct...it won't "stick"

 

hahahaha......

 

sighs..sorry to beat a dead, horse...and from the looks of it, the horse is long dead and gone, and on the verge of being violated severly??? I don't know its late, I need sleep. Anyways, My car was originally boughten in denver. Is my timing 13 or 14?? Do they lower the timing if the car is shipped to be sold in a higher elevation place?

 

Only one way to find out ... Use Consult II

 

great summary, can anyone verify that the 01 can go up to 18 degrees and still stick? more importantly, will 91 octane still be good enough?

 

Based on Josh's post, it can and will stick... As far as octanes go, I really don't know... My guess is that depending on gas quality you might be ok although you might get an occasional ping...

 

I don't think there will be any problems because your knock sensor should retard your timing if your engine starts pinging.

The way I look at it, with stock 15 degree timing you have to use 91 for maximum performance and fuel economy but you can still use 89. With your timing set to 17 or 18 you should use 93 for maximum performance but 91 is still fine.

 

I'm not 100% sure, but I recall someone with an 01 telling me they went up to 18deg.....but don't quote me on it

again, the dealer with a CONSULT II will be able to find out.

 

IIRC, BlackBIRDVQ went to +20 degrees in his 01, but said it made no difference past 18.

Also, are you sure the high altitude statement? I always thought it was the other way around? (greater chance of knock at sea level/Death Valley)

 

I don't really know the science behind it, but yes, I'm sure that some high-altitude cars (or cars sold in areas with crappy gas quality) are setup with lower timing.

I mean....most of the east coast is near sea level, and I don't think they sell cars in death valley (or do they?)

 

The lowest octane around here, about 750 ft AMSL, is 87, but up in the Rockies you can get 85. I always thought it was because high octane was overkill at altitude, but I may be wrong (BTW, Death Valley is below sea level and you CAN drive there).

 

No ****, I'm sure irish was only making the point that cars aren't sold there...

 

he didnt say drive them there, hes saying he doesnt think that there are actual dealerships in death valley.

 

you may be right, also...I haven't lived in the rockies nor personally had a car with the timing retarded below 'standard spec' so I'm just speaking from what I've heard here on the org and on other car forums.

And I know you can drive there....we went down a few years back while in Vegas....I was just saying there are no car dealers there (in the park).

 

you can use any ODB2 scanner to find out.