Hey guys, i'm wondering what you guys have done with the ignition timing on your EU cars. I see on mine that there is timing retard dialed in and i'm pretty sure it is because the knock sensor is replaced with a resistor. I'm gonna get around to the pain in the *** install of the knock sensor soon(cali car) and i'm wondering if i shouldn't return it to stock timing and let the knock sensor do it's thing. i'm guessing it would adapt to different quality fuels on it's own this way. I'm planning on going from a 3.6 pulley to a 3.25 real soon(planning on t trim upgrade during next winter). any input is appreciated.

 

no, you shouldn't. that's not how the knock sensor works - if the knock sensor was an automatic timing retard device then no one would ever need to tune a car, would they? if you aren't going to use your EU to retard timing then there's really no point in having it and you should also prepare to replace your engine. think how much of a PIA that will be...

with a 3.6 pulley you most likely are fine with stock timing as long as you always run high quality gas (which you should always do anyways in any FI car). with a 3.25 you will want to retard some timing and definitely the same with a T-trim. if you don't know what you're doing with tuning and arent comfortable cutting your teeth on your car it's best to either have an experienced person do the tuning for you, or perhaps sell the emanage and get something that is pre-tuned like a JWT ECU.