I did a search and I guess this has never really come up....Here is what I need an answer about.

Does your advanced timing effect your power gain if your plugs are gaped to much or to little?


With this said, should I make the gap bigger if I advance my timing, make it closer or just leave it at 40-45 degrees as stated in the FSM?

I have noticed when I advanced my timing, I noticed a jumpy throttle response. And was wondering if the spark could be the cause. Basically I need some input before I do something completely pointless.

I would also like to know this. :biggthump

I did a search and I guess this has never really come up....Here is what I need an answer about.

Does your advanced timing effect your power gain if your plugs are gaped to much or to little?


With this said, should I make the gap bigger if I advance my timing, make it closer or just leave it at 40-45 degrees as stated in the FSM?

I have noticed when I advanced my timing, I noticed a jumpy throttle response. And was wondering if the spark could be the cause. Basically I need some input before I do something completely pointless.

Advancing or retarding the timing will generally have no effect on what spark gap you should be running. The gap is measured in millimeters or inches. Typically it's around 0.043" for an N/A Nissan.

All you are doing with advancing the timing is fooling the ECU into firing the spark plug sooner. It doesn't increase / decrease spark energy so the gap should be the same.

I agree. My understanding is as what was stated. When you advance timing, it's only firing the plugs sooner or later, and has no bearing on the intensity of the spark.

The only reason why plugs should be gapped higher or lower, is really to prevent spark blow out, like on a DET. The obvious alternative would be to run with an external ignition source, that is more robust than stock ignition coil.

OK so what else would you guys think could be the reason for the jumpy throttle? To me it feels as if the car is mis-sparking.

Should I replace the plugs? I do plan on checking them this weekend to see what the gap is. And hopefully take some video of my issue.

I have been having issues with this for a very long time and haven't been able to figure this out. Also note this is happeneing if my timing is anything less than 20 degrees. YEA!... 20!

The lower the timing the worse it gets. And this is with 93 oct. gas.

you could try a colder plug when you replace them. like a 6 series plug. Hey wayne. At TDC is everything all lined up? Is a cam maybe like a tooth behind... does it run fine low end and then break up? partial throttle? or only WOT.

What's your TPS voltage?

Just throwin some things out there for my homie.

Cap, rotor, plugs, plug wires, mechanical timing.

Not in any particular order, but that's what I'd be looking at.

I agree. My understanding is as what was stated. When you advance timing, it's only firing the plugs sooner or later, and has no bearing on the intensity of the spark.

The only reason why plugs should be gapped higher or lower, is really to prevent spark blow out, like on a DET. The obvious alternative would be to run with an external ignition source, that is more robust than stock ignition coil.

:D LOL

:D LOL

:melonscratcher: :rolleyes:

What a reply. If I'm way off base, then tell me why I'm off base. I'm a noob, and am always open to learning new things. Your post is useless.

Welcome to the forum. :squint:

Bring your plug gap back down to about .32-.35 If you are in the 40's you are waaay to high. I work for Nissan and with the help of my most senior tech we tried a few things and got some amazing results.
I had mine gapped around 42 (which I had read on here to do) and I was running piss poor with awful gas mileage. Also reground your MAF if you have not yet, also check your airfilter. If it is dirty clean or replace it..
I know this sounds elementry but I did these things with I had the Consult plugged in the car and brought alfa readings up from 79% to nearly 100%, meaning from 11:1 to right at 14:1 a/f I gained a TON of power

Bring your plug gap back down to about .32-.35 If you are in the 40's you are waaay to high. I work for Nissan and with the help of my most senior tech we tried a few things and got some amazing results.
I had mine gapped around 42 (which I had read on here to do) and I was running piss poor with awful gas mileage. Also reground your MAF if you have not yet, also check your airfilter. If it is dirty clean or replace it..
I know this sounds elementry but I did these things with I had the Consult plugged in the car and brought alfa readings up from 79% to nearly 100%, meaning from 11:1 to right at 14:1 a/f I gained a TON of power

Thanks for the info man :biggthump

He has his MAF regrounded and he is running with a CAI, so he should be go there. He is also getting bad gas mileage.

I'm having similar symptoms too :(

As far as I know I am running stock timing, should I also regap my plugs? I just installed NGK 6's two days ago. :biggthump

Anytime !

As far as the CAI, I would check the condition of the filter, Mine was all kinds of F'ed up.

Plugs, Yes. I would at least check what the gap is. Off the shelf ones are supposed to be pregapped, but I have yet to see any that are spot on. Tighten the gap up and I bet you see some gains.

Also I would check fuel pressure. As these cars age the FPR's get lazy. Its the last thing to swap out on mine, and I think that it will just get even that much better.

SoloSol,

I will try that today or tomorrow. I will be taking a 120 mile trip, so will need to get good results you know :biggthump

What can I check the fuel pressure with? :)

You should be able to get one from your local parts store. Its just an in-line gauge.
You may even be able to rent it, but if you have to buy it;it will be money well spent as it will pay for itself in a tank or two.

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:zfGBr0UAWmFSPM:http://www.dougrippie.com/images/Fi4.jpg

You should be able to get one from your local parts store. Its just an in-line gauge.
You may even be able to rent it, but if you have to buy it;it will be money well spent as it will pay for itself in a tank or two.

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:zfGBr0UAWmFSPM:http://www.dougrippie.com/images/Fi4.jpg

So after I get the fuel pressure gauge, were would I go about hooking it up, and how would I go about making it actually make a difference?

Thanks a lot for this man, sorry for the newb questions, but gotta learn this stuff from somewhere :)

Yould hook it up between the fuel filter, and the fuel rail. The only thing you could do to actually make a difference, if the fuel pressure is out of spec, is replace the fuel pressure regulator. Now would be a good time to throw in an adjustable one, unless you plan on just keeping it stock.

its okay man, we all got to start somewhere. first you put it in-line before your FPR and after the fuel filter, see what the gauge reads. I cant remember what the pressure is supposed to be at from the factory. I think its 36psi w vac and 44psi w/o vac line attatched

tekkie beat me to it.

Yould hook it up between the fuel filter, and the fuel rail. The only thing you could do to actually make a difference, if the fuel pressure is out of spec, is replace the fuel pressure regulator. Now would be a good time to throw in an adjustable one, unless you plan on just keeping it stock.

Dang they seem to be $100+ :eek:

I will see if I will get around to replacing it.

I was thinking about switching out the fuel filter, because this one is probably the original one from factory. Will switching out the fuel filter do anything?

its okay man, we all got to start somewhere. first you put it in-line before your FPR and after the fuel filter, see what the gauge reads. I cant remember what the pressure is supposed to be at from the factory. I think its 36psi w vac and 44psi w/o vac line attatched

Thanks :biggthump

Good info... Looks like I'm going to just get new plugs and start over. As for the gauge Vad... Check with Serban at Gofastdepot.com.

He has a few on the site but I know you can get them a lot less than that.


Thanx guys.