How do I adjust Ignition Timing?

[Cool Mr Steve]

Ok, I've read the VFAQ's on ignition timing... I've done searches and everything tells me to simply turn the Crank Angle Sensor to advance or retard. Now, in the pictures it shows where the crank angle sensor is, but it doesnt seem to be there on my car. Is it in a different place on a 95 Gst? Please help...

 

[blackGSX2g]

The cam angle sensor on your car is behind the intake cam gear, but don't go digging for it as you cannot adjust your base timing anyways.

 

[dave99gst]

The only way to adjust base ignition timing on a 2g is to use a 1g Cam Angle Sensor -
( ya will prob end up with a CEL in the process )

 

[Cool Mr Steve]

Ok, then I'm not sure what to do... The vfaq says I can adjust the base ignition timing on a 2g, and my vacuum pressure test came back as a 14... Also, I have low power in my low-end only... All signs seem to be pointing to late ignition, so I need a way to advance it... Help me?

 

[blackGSX2g]

What is your vaccuum pressure test and what does 14 indicate?

Do you mean if you were looking at your boost gauge at idle and it reads 14 in-hg, or you pressure tested your intake and it only held 14psi?

 

[Cool Mr Steve]

I used a vacuum pressure gauge and hooked it up to my intake manifold... The readings should be around 18-21 in-hg or so, but mine is around 14 in-hg, indicating late ignition timing.

 

[out there]

might want to consider some form of datalogging so you can see what your timing actually is

 

[Cool Mr Steve]

Well, I'm probably going to get a timing light on it, but I don't know if it would be any help, as I am not sure if I can adjust the timing. If I have retarded timing, there has to be SOMETHING I can do about it.

 

[out there]

the most likely way that you retarded your timing probably came from bad gasoline... or something that caused a lot of pinging/predetonation
try this: unplug the battery for a while (4-5mins at least, then reconnect it, start the engine and let it idle for a few mins. to allow the ecu to reset the octane value and maybe that will bring your timing back to normal
but i'm standing beside my declaration of a datalogger

 

[blackGSX2g]

What if your idle is just too low? That would result in lower vaccum numbers at idle. Your motor shouldn't be pulling timing due to knock at idle.