Adjusting timing/tuning
03-01-2002, 11:39 AM
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Adjusting timing/tuning
Tonight I will be tearing into the 78' again. Ive had her on the road for 3 days- running OK. She has a tough time during the warmups, and I notice that she misses a bit when I give her the pedal (sometimes, but not always).
I will change the fuel filter and oil tonight, as well as attempt to adjust the timing. Any tips here? On my Scirocco- a subtle twist to the dist cap makes a world of difference, so i'll start with that.
Side note: I wonder if any sport tunning has been done to the car by it's PO's. Last eve. I was stuck behind a fastlane speed regulator that thought it was fun to pace themselves with cars in the slow lane so that noone could pass. I was given a brake as one car in the slow lane decreased speed enough to allow a nimble and quick
right lane pass with an immediate merge back into the left. I saw the gap and shot for it (4th gear). I guarantee that the people blocking the fast lane have NEVER been passed so quickly, the acceleration surprised me based on my knowledge of the stock HP and Torque. Anyone in traffic with me that day- went home with a full appreciation for the power and nimble handling of a Porsche.
Actually- it reminded me of my 100HP Honda Magna motorcycle. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
I will change the fuel filter and oil tonight, as well as attempt to adjust the timing. Any tips here? On my Scirocco- a subtle twist to the dist cap makes a world of difference, so i'll start with that.
Side note: I wonder if any sport tunning has been done to the car by it's PO's. Last eve. I was stuck behind a fastlane speed regulator that thought it was fun to pace themselves with cars in the slow lane so that noone could pass. I was given a brake as one car in the slow lane decreased speed enough to allow a nimble and quick
right lane pass with an immediate merge back into the left. I saw the gap and shot for it (4th gear). I guarantee that the people blocking the fast lane have NEVER been passed so quickly, the acceleration surprised me based on my knowledge of the stock HP and Torque. Anyone in traffic with me that day- went home with a full appreciation for the power and nimble handling of a Porsche.
Actually- it reminded me of my 100HP Honda Magna motorcycle. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
03-01-2002, 08:33 PM
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I have little technical knowledge of this, but I had my timing set exactly by a reputable Porsche Mech after a t-belt change. It came home running very sluggish. I turned the dist. cap (advanced), and voila--it ran better than ever before. Now to tell you exactly to what specification/degree isn't possible, but I tuned it to sound clean--w/o misfire.
This, for me, has proven to work. I am interested to see if anyone has a better opinion of why this is necessary to achieve better performance. Maybe my 84' 928 has a problem that this is compensating.
This, for me, has proven to work. I am interested to see if anyone has a better opinion of why this is necessary to achieve better performance. Maybe my 84' 928 has a problem that this is compensating.
03-01-2002, 08:56 PM
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Mike, Whenever i have set timing in all the previous cars that I have owned (non Porsche) I first set it to factory spec. Then drive it to see how it feels then I always would advance the distributor in small increments until I would get a slight spark knock (pinging in the motor) Then I would just slightly turn the distributor back until the pinging went away. Then check timing to see how for advance you have. Most cases will not be more than a few degrees different than spec. Try and make timing changes while the weather is not too hot or cold. The motor will perform differently at extreme temps. You may have to adjust timing for winter driving and for summer driving.
I have not tried to change timing on my 79 yet. I will be doing a t-belt change and a few other things first. But I do plan on setting mine to factory specs first and then advancing from that point. Also, you should periodically pull spark plugs to check for color to see how rich or lean your motor is running. Remember you do not want to run it too lean. and too rich will rob horsepower.
Have fun...
I have not tried to change timing on my 79 yet. I will be doing a t-belt change and a few other things first. But I do plan on setting mine to factory specs first and then advancing from that point. Also, you should periodically pull spark plugs to check for color to see how rich or lean your motor is running. Remember you do not want to run it too lean. and too rich will rob horsepower.
Have fun...
03-02-2002, 01:34 AM
#5
Awwww.... 
Don't get me started about my
V-Max!
However, your GT would put a severe, as we say in Texas, Butt Whoopin' on my '81 5-sp 928
Tit for tat...
By the way, thanks for the timing tips... When we get to normal weather in Dallas, I'll advance her a few degrees and see how it goes.
Have a good weekend!
Scott
Don't get me started about my V-Max!
However, your GT would put a severe, as we say in Texas, Butt Whoopin' on my '81 5-sp 928
Tit for tat...
By the way, thanks for the timing tips... When we get to normal weather in Dallas, I'll advance her a few degrees and see how it goes.
Have a good weekend!
Scott
03-02-2002, 09:55 AM
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120 hp?
Great, sounds fun....but I'm taking my mint, unrestored, living room-kept [ahh...batchelor life!] '76 CB-750-4 to Daytona today....all 67 horsepower worth. Nya nya!
<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
Normy
Great, sounds fun....but I'm taking my mint, unrestored, living room-kept [ahh...batchelor life!] '76 CB-750-4 to Daytona today....all 67 horsepower worth. Nya nya!
<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
Normy
03-02-2002, 11:59 AM
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A stock Magna ONLY came with 98 HP since their rerelease in 96(?). Funny thing is my other Magna, an 87 shaft drive 700CC, is by far a superior machine in all ways to the new ones. Ive been very disapointed with my 00 model- plan to sell her (w/only 1000 miles on it) this summer and maybe get an RC1200 BMW.
Thanks for the timimg tips all! This afternoon is supposed to be nice, I'll dink with it when she warms up. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
Thanks for the timimg tips all! This afternoon is supposed to be nice, I'll dink with it when she warms up. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
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03-03-2002, 11:17 PM
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Please let me know how it went. I am curious to see if advancing it worked for you too & if so how much etc. more details as well. Mine needs to be at mid-operating temp before she performs well--which here in Sa, Tx took awhile today!
