Ignition Timing and ElanScan

[Houdini]

Can ElanScan give us the data on a stock car for ignition timing? I'm sure it can, but I was never able to get my ElanScan to work. Now that I have a Haltech I'd like to get data from a stock car as a starting point for timing. In particular I'd like to have the timing at different RPM levels at different manifold vacuum/pressures. Ideally it would be a spread sheet starting at 0 rpm, and going in intervals of 500 rpm up to redline. At each rpm interval it would be nice to know the timing at different manifold pressures starting at an idle vacuum and progressing up to the maximum boost.

Does anyone out there have some or all of this data? It might be useful to some people even if they are not playing with an ecu. It would also be nice to have injector information as well.

[Aurora40]

You can grab Ian's file here: http://lotuselancentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7485

He also included a link to TTS Datamaster, which you can use for free to read and review data. You can also use it for 20 courtesy scans before you need to register it (or only use it for reviewing after that).

You will find numerous 3rd gear pulls from about 1-2,000 rpm up to about redline. In this case there was no knock retard, but keep in mind that it will be subtracted from the overall timing, so you'd need to adjust for that if there is KR. Also, I assume the timing is relative, because you all have a mechanical distributor, correct?

I seem to recall there being some 6 degree adjustment factor on my car, but can't recall where or why. I think I saw it on the GM factory videos for working on my engine, where they mentioned the crank position sensor fires off 6 degree BTDC or something, so the datalogger has to adjust for that for the real timing. I dunno, I could be imagining things... but it's possible the timing TTS reports has been "adjusted" and is not the timing one would use in programming the ECU.

Anyway, here's one run with MAP, RPM, timing, and injector pulsewidth. It's from the data I just mentioned. You can also export sections into .csv files for use with Excel, etc.

[ailwyn]

Also, I assume the timing is relative, because you all have a mechanical distributor, correct?

The engine uses a twin coil to provide a wasted spark system, therefore (I think I'm right in saying) there is no distributor on the Elan, at least the Turbo version, not sure about the NA.

Ailwyn

[Aurora40]

Also, I assume the timing is relative, because you all have a mechanical distributor, correct?

The engine uses a twin coil to provide a wasted spark system, therefore (I think I'm right in saying) there is no distributor on the Elan, at least the Turbo version, not sure about the NA.

Ailwyn

Then why is there a write-up on how to set the timing? But if it's a distributorless ignition system, then all the better as the ECU can completely control the timing.

[ESM]

1) I have the full timing table from the ECU, I've sent it to other Haltech upgraders in the past.

2) You have to be able to set the base timing even on distributorless systems so the cam angle sensor position sends its signals at the appropriate point in the stroke.

3) I'm getting fed up of the Datamaster ads in the ElanScan section - get the admins to set up a Datamaster section where you can wax lyrical about it and I won't have to read it.

[Aurora40]

2) You have to be able to set the base timing even on distributorless systems so the cam angle sensor position sends its signals at the appropriate point in the stroke.

Even on some DIS systems, then. On some/many cars the sensors for cam and crank position are fixed, and the ECU will learn on it's own any small variation.

3) I'm getting fed up of the Datamaster ads in the ElanScan section - get the admins to set up a Datamaster section where you can wax lyrical about it and I won't have to read it.

This is where he posted the request. The data happens to be in Datamaster format, and he'd need it to read it. Hardly an ad, but I'll never mention it again.