Base timing on built engine
 

Hey guys,

I'm a total noob on this subject. I have an 04 msm with a built 99 engine 8.25/1 compression ratio. I tried to set my base timing on tunerstudio but I can't get the timing mark on the pulley to match the 10 and the T even with trigger set to 20*.

I'm thinking since my engine internal has been modified that the factory timing marks are no longer accurate. Should I remove the spark plugs and find top dead center and make new timing marks on the pulley?

Any advice would be nice.

I have more questions than answers.

When you tried to set the timing, did you set your timing table to fixed advance? Tried negative *?

and no changing the internals should not affect your timing marks.

Unless you are running a aftermarket crank pulley that's marked incorrectly?

I followed the instructions and set it to fixed 10. I'll set the trigger to 20* and it moves closer to the timing mark but anything after 20* and it doesn't move at all.

What are you using for a crank trigger wheel? Is it at all possible you've installed the OEM trigger wheel flipped? From what I know, I think you can assemble it backwards and it's not 100% symmetrical. Stock ECU just won't start.

You could do the screwdriver trick to get close, but wouldn't really be the correct way to fix it.

I made sure to install the trigger wheel with the recess towards the engine. But as far as what trigger wheel and crank pulley. It's from a 99 miata. Is there a difference from a 99 miata trigger wheel and crank vs the mazdaspeed?

Even with a flipped trigger wheel, you should be able to set base timing. Although you wouldn't be able to get the engine running properly to actually time it.

You could try setting your base timing with your CAS. Then fine tune with MS.

No, but the NA "trigger wheel" is different.

You've got the right trigger pattern selected, I assume. Can you post a composite log?

[QUOTE=deezums;1596097]No, but the NA "trigger wheel" is different.

You've got the right trigger pattern selected, I assume. Can you post a composite log?[/QUOTE
]
I selected the miata 99-05 trigger pattern . I'm not sure what a composite log is. FYI the car runs perfectly fine and idles great.

It's just a log of what the megasquirt is seeing for trigger pattern. In tunerstudio it's under diagnostics and high speed loggers tab across the top of the dash display.

https://www.miataturbo.net/megasquir...g-10%2A-85962/

I assume you have the timing set right? What have you got for cam pulleys?

The plug wires are in the proper order?

Another possibility is a bad crank damper. It's made of 2 pieces of steel joined by rubber. If the rubber degrades enough the outer ring can shift in relation to the inner.

I would use the screwdriver test to verify the marks on the damper aren't totally wrong. If that checks out then keep looking for your problem. You can't get close enough with that method to just run it that way.

I will check with the screw driver method. There's two things I'm suspecting is that I have Toyota cop installed. Maybe I wired it to the wrong cylinder?

As for the crank pulley, it seems pretty solid. The rubber is alittle cracked but I'll double check.

What's your gap between your crank sensor and your trigger wheel? Very important. IIRC you want pretty much exactly a credit card's worth of gap.

Update
 

Okay guys here is an update. I've done the screw driver trick and the timing marks line up. I've also checked the gap between the cas and trigger wheel. It's about the width of a credit card. I also checked my cop wiring on tunerstudio and it was correct. At thi point I'm thinking u should just replace the crank pulley?(really don't want to pay the extra money if I don't have to)

What version of firmware are you running? I know a long, long time ago there were issues with changing trigger angle, but that software would be positively ancient these days...

I'm using the latest firmware. I'm gonna try with another timing light. Then I'll just fork up for a new crank pulley.

Found the issue and corrected
 

I did two things, got rid of the Amazon spark plug extender and used a regular spark plug wire for my cop. Then I borrowed a friend's snap on timing light and was able to set the trigger to 6* and the marks line up perfectly.

While you have the right equipment, consider checking latency.
DNM

How do I check latency?

thanks brother,