Advancing Ignition

Author
Discussion

MKH9130

Original Poster:

4,121 posts

215 months

Tuesday 18th March 2008
quotequote all
How easy is this to do on a '96 Mk1 1.8 and what is the best number of degrees? I've seen anything from 14 to 20 quoted on the web and a number of references made but no 'how to' guide?

Am happy to use higher RON fuel if needed (up to 99) or use additives?


MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

226 months

Tuesday 18th March 2008
quotequote all
Use 14 degrees. It's the best compromise and doesn't require super unleaded.
It's a simple matter of loosening the bolt on the CAS and rotating it - I think the CAS is on the back of the Inlet cam on a 1.8. I believe there is a single bolt which is extra long that you can get a ring spanner on, just loosen it at rotate the body of the CAS until the timing is at 14BTDC. You'll need a timing gun...

NiceCupOfTea

25,313 posts

258 months

Tuesday 18th March 2008
quotequote all
I heard that it wasn't worth doing on the 1.8?

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

226 months

Tuesday 18th March 2008
quotequote all
You heard wrong. It boosts mid-range torque with a slight drop in top end power but mid-range torque is more important in normal driving. Same effect as in 1.6 but a bit less so.

NiceCupOfTea

25,313 posts

258 months

Tuesday 18th March 2008
quotequote all
MX-5 Lazza said:
You heard wrong. It boosts mid-range torque with a slight drop in top end power but mid-range torque is more important in normal driving. Same effect as in 1.6 but a bit less so.
Seriously? I asked questions about this over on MX5oc last year when I bought my Eunos and the overriding opinion was it would actually lose you power on the 1.8...

Any less power and I'd have to get out and push! wink

GravelBen

15,914 posts

237 months

Tuesday 18th March 2008
quotequote all
Lose top-end power, gain mid range torque?

I was thinking about advancing it but not sure if I really want to, a revvy engine is usually more fun. Though I guess the power doesn't increase over 6000rpm anyway.

Does anyone have dyno sheets with power and torque curves before and after on an otherwise standard 1.6?

I also suspect mine may have been de-catted at some stage as the temp sensor that plugs into the cat has been disconnected - wire cut rather than just unplugging the connector, can't think why else they would have done that.

Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 18th March 23:20

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

226 months

Wednesday 19th March 2008
quotequote all
Yes, gain mid-range torque and lose top-end power. However the top end power loss is minimal and won't be noticed while the mid range torque boost IS noticeable and well worthwhile. It doesn't change the nature of the engine, it remains a revvy unit that you need to thrash to make quick progress but makes it a little easier to drive at normal road speeds. It's only a 4 degrees advance so isn't going to make a drastic change to anything.
There might well be a graph around somewhere but that won't show you what it's like to drive. Power/torque graphs are over-rated when it comes to proof of the effectiveness of engine mods.

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Wednesday 19th March 07:33