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For those who have advanced their timing... - 6G Celicas Forums

Topic #62089 33 posts Started by GotToyota
I remember reading all over the place that if you advance the timing, you will get a bit more power/response, etc. How does one go about doing it? Does it at all affect the reliability of the car, or the efficiency? Will it harm my gas at all? I'd like to hear feedback from those that have done it.
well i dont really know the exact reason and result on does timing advancement, but my timing was already advanced when i got my car. i know you have to run higher octance fuel, yes it somewhat does give better performance. i think my timing is at +13??? gas mileage is around 24mpg city driving

I don't normally drive fast, but when I do its on a curvy section of this island
Wow, I didn't know that much power could be gained by advancing your timing. I think I might put mine up to about 19 now, since I already use 93 fuel anyways.
its not as linear as that and is different for every application.

a little more peppy, a little more power all over, and i've noticed slightly better low rpm acceleration (accelerating in high gear at highway speed). burning 89 octane fuel with what seem like normal knock counts and the plugs look just a little on the hot side of normal.


night and day difference? hell no.
small gain? yea...i suppose.

2000 Celica GTS 'slowest gts evar'1998 Mazda 626 FS-DE/CD4-E
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QUOTE (Project7afte @ Sep 18, 2008 - 1:43 PM) *
>Wow, I didn't know that much power could be gained by advancing your timing. I think I might put mine up to about 19 now, since I already use 93 fuel anyways.

not with your 96. Only the 95 and under have an adjustable distributor.

my st205 swapandour Beams swap


This post has been edited by Daftboy: Sep 18, 2008 - 10:34 PM

--------------------------------私は銀行に漂う,TRDInspired
how much do timing lights usaually run for? biggrin.gif
Dont know how much timing lights go for, I know that most auto places have the loan a tool program (pay deposit, get it back when done). Matt, you gonna do this? If you do let me know how it is.
I might, but I have a feeling if I don't have someone with me that knows that they're doing, that I will mess up my timing.
I hear you, Im waiting for my friend to do this with his integra, so I can see how hard it really is. Im not all that sure about having to pay for the extra octane though....has still to drop any here where Im at...like 4.89 for the premium, and thats been since a week ago.
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QUOTE (Batman722 @ Sep 18, 2008 - 10:32 PM) *
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QUOTE (Project7afte @ Sep 18, 2008 - 1:43 PM) *
>Wow, I didn't know that much power could be gained by advancing your timing. I think I might put mine up to about 19 now, since I already use 93 fuel anyways.

not with your 96. Only the 95 and under have an adjustable distributor.



Are you sure about that? I have a Haynes repair manual that says all of them are adjustable, plus I'm taking it to my local Toyota dealer tomorrow to have it done since I don't feel like buying a timing light. They told me it could be done on my car earlier, but I'll verify that tomorrow.
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QUOTE (Project7afte @ Sep 20, 2008 - 3:37 AM) *
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QUOTE (Batman722 @ Sep 18, 2008 - 10:32 PM) *
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QUOTE (Project7afte @ Sep 18, 2008 - 1:43 PM) *
>Wow, I didn't know that much power could be gained by advancing your timing. I think I might put mine up to about 19 now, since I already use 93 fuel anyways.

not with your 96. Only the 95 and under have an adjustable distributor.



Are you sure about that? I have a Haynes repair manual that says all of them are adjustable, plus I'm taking it to my local Toyota dealer tomorrow to have it done since I don't feel like buying a timing light. They told me it could be done on my car earlier, but I'll verify that tomorrow.


No, 96 and up you cannot adjust the timing. The main reason is that the distributor doesn't turn, it can only go in one way. Also, I believe IF you were able to get it to turn (like put a 95 distributor on a 96) the ECU would correct the difference. I know this because I tried to advance mine on a 96 and was not able to because I couldn't move the distributor. Also, I checked the timing on mine and factory settings appear to be at 10 degrees above TDC (someone correct me if i'm wrong).
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QUOTE (Project7afte @ Sep 19, 2008 - 10:37 PM) *
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QUOTE (Batman722 @ Sep 18, 2008 - 10:32 PM) *
>
not with your 96. Only the 95 and under have an adjustable distributor.

Are you sure about that? I have a Haynes repair manual that says all of them are adjustable, plus I'm taking it to my local Toyota dealer tomorrow to have it done since I don't feel like buying a timing light. They told me it could be done on my car earlier, but I'll verify that tomorrow.

yes I'm sure about that.
take it to a dealer so they can advance your timimg ?

my st205 swapandour Beams swap
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QUOTE (Batman722 @ Sep 20, 2008 - 8:20 AM) *
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QUOTE (Project7afte @ Sep 19, 2008 - 10:37 PM) *
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QUOTE (Batman722 @ Sep 18, 2008 - 10:32 PM) *
>
not with your 96. Only the 95 and under have an adjustable distributor.

Are you sure about that? I have a Haynes repair manual that says all of them are adjustable, plus I'm taking it to my local Toyota dealer tomorrow to have it done since I don't feel like buying a timing light. They told me it could be done on my car earlier, but I'll verify that tomorrow.

yes I'm sure about that.
take it to a dealer so they can advance your timimg ?

X2 You can turn it just like any other distributer on any year of these cars but the ecu is just gonna put the timing right back where it wants it on the 96+ [Experience with numerous GTs anyway - can't speak for the STs].
Furthermore, changing the timing is easily done by anyone with a light and a Haynes manual the problem is you can run into problems if you don't know what you're doing. You can't just run any old timing you want - there are things like knock to consider.
I agree with Batman on his other point too - what Toyota dealership is gonna advance your timing from what the BGB says?

This post has been edited by DEATH: Sep 20, 2008 - 1:05 PM

ENGINE: '93 RC 3S-GTE/WRC CT-20b [18-20PSI]PERF: TRD/HKS/ARP/NGK/MSD/ACT/Blitz/STRI/APEX'i/TwosRus/GReddy/Magnaflo/KOYOSUSP: Tein/Bilstein/SusTech/INT: SS-III SEATS/Toyota Hyper SportsEXT: WRC/TRD/404QUOTE (lagos @ Aug 25, 2010 - 10:13 AM)Its a safety feature so that people like you don't end up killing themselves or everyone around them.Slow down Paul Walker.6GC Chat - Go there: [url="http://www.griffgirl.com/forum/chat/index.php[/url]
btw, i welcome anyone in chicago-land to take a ride in the 7afe powered geo to see how some simple mods add up. i cant figure why anyone would want a 4age swap when you can get just about the same power (butt dyno) from the 7afe with a little tweeking. my 93 prizm lsi with 7afe feels as slow as someones 91 prizm gsi (small port 4age).

2000 Celica GTS 'slowest gts evar'1998 Mazda 626 FS-DE/CD4-E
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QUOTE (Spider77 @ Sep 19, 2008 - 9:26 PM) *
>I hear you, Im waiting for my friend to do this with his integra, so I can see how hard it really is. Im not all that sure about having to pay for the extra octane though....has still to drop any here where Im at...like 4.89 for the premium, and thats been since a week ago.

whoa Josh what part of Funky Town you in
Well my dads a master toyota tech bowdown.gif , and he said while laughing at me, laugh.gif "start the car, loosen the distributor and start turning it, when it starts to ping you can advance it anywhere before that without damaging your engine". thumbsup.gif

He also said that you need to test it at different points and mark it every time you advance it, to see what works best and feels best for your car. wink.gif

Sorry, no animated sigs allowed.
thats a pretty rough way of doing it, i'd use a timing light for sure.

2000 Celica GTS 'slowest gts evar'1998 Mazda 626 FS-DE/CD4-E
laugh.gif My dads been a mechanic for like 28 years, hes a pretty savvy guy. wink.gif

Sorry, no animated sigs allowed.
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QUOTE (Akirad1 @ Sep 20, 2008 - 4:50 PM) *
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QUOTE (Spider77 @ Sep 19, 2008 - 9:26 PM) *
>I hear you, Im waiting for my friend to do this with his integra, so I can see how hard it really is. Im not all that sure about having to pay for the extra octane though....has still to drop any here where Im at...like 4.89 for the premium, and thats been since a week ago.

whoa Josh what part of Funky Town you in

You know, I just noticed that....its like im in a different state...I ment 3.89 (almost 4 dollars)...man 4.89 would really suck.
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QUOTE (Spider77 @ Sep 21, 2008 - 11:29 AM) *
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QUOTE (Akirad1 @ Sep 20, 2008 - 4:50 PM) *
>>
QUOTE (Spider77 @ Sep 19, 2008 - 9:26 PM) *
>I hear you, Im waiting for my friend to do this with his integra, so I can see how hard it really is. Im not all that sure about having to pay for the extra octane though....has still to drop any here where Im at...like 4.89 for the premium, and thats been since a week ago.

whoa Josh what part of Funky Town you in

You know, I just noticed that....its like im in a different state...I ment 3.89 (almost 4 dollars)...man 4.89 would really suck.

yeah i was thinking that lol
just advanced my 7afe today. I never checked the timing since i got the car (only 4 months old). My autos teacher said it was around 8 degrees which was low. So i think we got it to like 11 or 12 as much as the dizzy cap would go.

2nd Gen 3s-gte.... It lives!97celiman"92-gt-quit making up random acronyms that dont mean anything. the only real acronym is JDM"
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QUOTE (Stambo @ Sep 26, 2008 - 1:52 PM) *
>just advanced my 7afe today. I never checked the timing since i got the car (only 4 months old). My autos teacher said it was around 8 degrees which was low. So i think we got it to like 11 or 12 as much as the dizzy cap would go.


if you put it as far as the dist. wuld go... well i got mine to about 25 and still had room to go...

QUOTE"And, as always, your friendship, help, and dedication to the advancement of Texas Celica dominance is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks bro." -DEATH1994 GT:V6 swap, 5speed E53 W/ LSD, All Power, now RED1995 ST:SOLD @273k miles, Auto, all power, CarPC, White1994 ST:Totaled, 5spd, all power, RedRIP 07/09/09 @ 241,8101994 Lexus LS400:This is my new DD
i tilted mine clockwise and i have no more room to go?i had a bunch of room to go the other way.

2nd Gen 3s-gte.... It lives!97celiman"92-gt-quit making up random acronyms that dont mean anything. the only real acronym is JDM"
>>>>USE A TIMING LIGHT, DO NOT JUST TWIST AND GUESS>>>>

2000 Celica GTS 'slowest gts evar'1998 Mazda 626 FS-DE/CD4-E
Yeah bitter is right, use a timing light. If you dont you hae no idea on how far you might of advanced your timing. IIRC the stock setting is 10, so if you have 8 your timing is retarded.
I DID USE A TIMING LIGHT!

2nd Gen 3s-gte.... It lives!97celiman"92-gt-quit making up random acronyms that dont mean anything. the only real acronym is JDM"
i wasn't specifically addressing you or anyone, just trying to make it clear.

2000 Celica GTS 'slowest gts evar'1998 Mazda 626 FS-DE/CD4-E
Stambo, how does it feel now? Would you recommend doing it?