Rb20de Ignition Timing

[BLSTIC]

I drove a mates RB20DE Cefiro a while ago and it was gutless. As in worse than it should be (sorry, I think n/a RB20's only a single step up from a carby 202 in terms of power). I noted the cam angle sensor was in the full retard position. I thought this was sus so after the 'ear tune' method (holding it at 2000rpm and testing for best response) it ended up at full advance. I didn't like this either so I set it to about 75% and told him to run it on 98. The car ran a lot better but I really want to do the job properly...

So what connectors do I have to jump and what is the base timing? The rest of the car is dodgy so I have no reason to believe the CAS hasn't been removed and re-installed incorrectly (meaning that setting it at 3/4 of the slot may not actually be right on this car).

Thanks

Ben

[BLSTIC]

Ok I went to edit my previous statement and it let me start, then decided that I idn't have permission...

I would like to clarify my statement...

Sorry, I think n/a RB20's directly comparable to injected 202's in regards to power. Smoothness, response, economy, and torque spread they are f-a-r better at though (The RB...)

It's entirely possible that the three n/a RB20's I have driven were dudds though, as two of them were in cars of dubious heritage (as in they have been set upon by clueless boy racers, and it showed in the quality of their 'build').

[mad082]

the rb20de is gutless, there is no way around it. they will be beaten by any car with a NA sr20 because they put out similar power but are much lighter.

now to the timing issue, you really need to check the timing with a timing light. without that you may as well have just loosened it off, given it a flick and tightened it up where ever it stopped. the stock timing should be 15 degrees at idle. it is also ideal to put the car into base idle mode before adjusting the timing as this locks the timing to 15 degrees as it can vary by about 2 degrees at idle due to different loads such as the aircon being on, etc. not sure on the procedure for a rb20, but if i remember correctly with a sr20 you start the car, turn it off, unplug the tps and start the car again.

also the easiest and most accurate way to hook up the timing light is to get an old ignition lead and remove the coil from number 1 cylinder and plug in the lead to the coil and the spark plug. often they won't read correctly when hooking them up to other places.

if the timing is serverely out even with the CAS turned to either sxtreme, or it has to be turned to either extreme to get the correct timing, then i would guess that the timing belt has jumped a tooth.

[BLSTIC]

Good to know it has a timing lock mode. I was hoping it did... On falcons there are two pins you jump on one of the diagnostic connectors to lock the timing.

I must google the timing lock procedure...

Thanks

Ben

[mad082]

yeah the rb25 and sr20 cars have that as well, but i'm not sure if the rb20 cars have it or not. but there is probably something you can do with the ecu to lock it.