headgasket

Good evening Gentlemen Yotahead Mechanics:

My buddy Terry bought an 88 SR5 5 speed pickup. V6. He had me help me adjust his timing to stock and the idle to 800 +/- 50rpm as per FSM.
Funny thing he was after better gas mileage; his conclusion was that his rig runs better with more power at 15 degrees btdc. and so this evening he moved his distributor back to where it was when he bought it.

Now for me I have just replaced the headgaskets on a 94 4Runner V6 5speed and we wnt with the stock timing.

Now I know from reading some of the thread/posts here at yotatech that many of you prefer to run your yotas at the 12 degrees btdc.

I am just wondering what the majority of daily drivers/Toyota techies think about the 15 degrees advance that my friend's truck was set at when he purchased it. By the way, the seller said it hasd just been tuned up.

Am I missing something here; why the stock timing recommendation from Toyota Motor Corporation?

Please advise & thank you for any and all ideas.

Headgasket

toytech76

Stock timing is the best overall setting and is generally set for emissions compliance. I wouldnt personally stray too far from the factory 10 deg. 12 is ok too. I don't think i would go as far as 15. Keep it 10-12 max

headgasket

Toy Tech:

Thanks for the confirmation on stock timing or 12 degrees btdc.
I for one too am looking for stock performance tuning ideas that improve "the Power feel" yet do not bite me in the butt at the gas pump.

Can you give me and explanation behind the theory of what the advantage of running a more retarded timing setting like 12 degrees vs. Toyota's FSM specs.

Some on the board think Toyota missed it on this one.

Thanks in advance anyone???

TNRabbit

If you're running 15 degrees advanced (not retarded) you must be using 93/94 octane fuel...stock advance is based upon 87 octane fuel (check your manual).

toytech76

X2. thats why I would not go above 12 deg

mt_goat

Does the 3VZE ECU adjust the timing? If so, what kind of adjustment range does it have?

Victor

Some people have gone past 15 degrees all reporting positive results. I am curious about plug life and emissions compliance at those settings. I don't have access to equipment to sniff the exhaust so of course we have only anecdotal proof to go on. With 5.0 Mustangs the standart is to go from 10 to 14 degrees - gets better power and mileage.

yotaman8819

i advanced mine to 12 and it has more pep but no better gas mileage and i notived that my exhaust manifolds were glowing red anyone have any clues on that?

Tim_Snapple76

blocked cat?

toytech76

Whats that got to do with anything???

yotaman8819

i dont have a cat or a muffler just straight pipes so does anyone have any other ideas

yotaman8819

it has to do with the timing being advanced so everyone else might want to check theres when they r driving at night cuz thats the only time u can see it and if u really get on it then they will get bright red and that cant be good

MonsterMaxx

IMHO and experience the 3.slow likes more advance even in stock trim. You might not get thru an emmissions inspection, but it'll run better and get better MPG.

My 3.shinyturd is way modified and the more timing I feed it the more it likes it. Currently at 25 deg. I have to pull the distrib and jump a tooth before I can give it more, but it'll like it when I do.


Personally I set my timing by ear and then check it with a light to make sure I haven't done something goofy. Keep advancing it until the idle starts to drop (the idle will increase as you increase timing), then back off a little. Timing just shy of highest idle will give the best power and MPG.

yotaman8819

but with my timing advance the manifolds glow red that cant be good im prob gonna melt a piston or blow a head gasket

Devodud

How do you adnance the timing on the 3.slow

mt_goat

I'm sure they are just turning the distributor adjustment while looking with a timing light. Buy my earlier question hasn't been answered. Doesn't the ECU for 3VZE also adjust the timing based on feedback from the knock sensor and if so, what kind of range does the ECU have in adjusting the timing?

toytech76

The ecu will retard the timing according to the knock sensor signal. Im not sure how far, but im sure enough to make the pinging stop. Manual advancing the timing is with the eng running, connector jumped and timing light on. You manually move the dist whichever way it needs

Devodud

ok ill try that when i get it all back together, I was under the impression that the ecu controlled the timing and the distributor was fixed. thanks

riptide

Is it clockwise or counter clockwise to advance the timing on the 3vze? I use to tune my Nissan 240sx timing by simply listening without a light, you guys absolutely need one here?

Whew, reviving 3 year old thread.

blake.nemitz

i run 15* on 87 and 17 on 91 in the summer no pings and it really wakes it up, however if you have carbon build up inside and run cheaper gas you can detonate your motor.