Calibrating Ignition Timing

Calibrating Ignition Timing

Now is the time to triple-check your ignition settings in the software. If the settings are correct, turn off power to your ignition system and connect your ignition system to the ECU. It is a good idea to check your ignition coil temperatures periodically on a newly wired system. If you find that a coil is getting hot, then turn off the ignition power immediately and double check your wiring and ignition settings.

Setup the ignition lock timing to a value that corresponds to an easy to read timing mark on your crank pulley. Select a value that will allow you to easily start the engine too. Typically, engines will be clearly marked at 10 degrees BTDC, which will also allow for easy starting. Your injectors should still be disabled at this point.

Crank your engine while someone is watching the timing with a timing light. Check for consistent ignition pulses while watching what engine position the spark occurs. Adjust the TDC Offset Angle to adjust the timing to correspond to the Lock Timing value that you have set. Typically the Angle will be 50 - 100 degrees, however a value from 0 - 720 is acceptable. Once this is set, your ECU is now calibrated for ignition timing. Using the timing light, attach to each spark lead and check that every spark plug is firing a spark. Don't forget to disable the Ignition Timing Lock when you are done.

    • Related Articles

    • TDC Offset Angle Table

      The TDC Offset Angle Table allows for fine adjustment where the locked ignition timing advances or retards over RPM, and allows the ignition timing to match between ECU and Crank at all RPM. This may be required due to sensor delays. The table output ...
    • Tech Tip: How to set your TDC Offset Angle

      Synchronizing your trigger system with your ECU is a vital stop in the tuning process. In this video we explain the important yet often misunderstood subject of TDC Offset Angle, also known as Trigger Angle. We break down the process and explain it ...
    • Base Ignition Angle

      Axis selection and changing values This table is intended to be used with Ignition Load based on MAP or TPS set as the first/x (left to right) axis, and RPM as the second/y (bottom to top) axis. Changing the axis values can be accomplished by ...
    • Base Trailing Split Angle

      Axis selection and changing values This table is intended to be used with Ignition Load based on MAP or TPS set as the first/X (left to right) axis, and RPM as the second/Y (bottom to top) axis. Changing the axis values can be accomplished by ...
    • Ignition Tuning

      Ignition Tuning Ignition Angle Lock Mode Allows the ignition advance to be fixed at a determined value to allow calibration of the TDC Offset. All ignition tables and corrections are ignored when this is active, and the ignition advance will not ...