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Lower compression - do we now need to run advance ign?

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 8:29 pm
by Rob Furniss
Question here for Rob V, Bennoz, anyone who knows this stuff.

Just stabbing in the dark here, wondering if we need to advance the ignition timing a little now that Rowan is running lower compression (due to forged pistons).
Or what to mess with on the vernier cam gears.
It sounds like a tank, not very nice, and doesn't seem reliable at the moment (i've only been in it once) as it keeps stalling and just seems all over the place.

I've checked cam timing and they line up, haven't checked if the crank is lined up though so that's next.
No error codes.

Re: Lower compression - do we now need to run advance ign?

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 10:13 pm
by Vectose
Sounds like a typical RPW build. lol

Cam timing depends on the cams. Should've come with a sheet with what values you should use. And best way to dial em in is to use a degree wheel and a dial gauge.

Lowering compression shouldn't cause the car to run like crap instantly.

Also, there's only so much a Greddy emanage blue can do. I would recommend at least going to an ultimate or preferably full standalone.

Re: Lower compression - do we now need to run advance ign?

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 10:36 pm
by FTODreams
If you need to check your cam positions for verniers. Go to YouTube and search for a guy named Jafromobile video you want is called Cylinder Head 205. Was an excellent video for me to learn how to check all that stuff.

I'd be double checking everything from verniers to camshaft. You shouldn't need to advance timing at all to get it to run half decent.

Video of it would be helpful.

Re: Lower compression - do we now need to run advance ign?

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 11:05 am
by Rob Furniss
Vectose wrote: Wed Feb 07, 2018 10:13 pm Sounds like a typical RPW build. lol

Cam timing depends on the cams. Should've come with a sheet with what values you should use. And best way to dial em in is to use a degree wheel and a dial gauge.

Lowering compression shouldn't cause the car to run like crap instantly.

Also, there's only so much a Greddy emanage blue can do. I would recommend at least going to an ultimate or preferably full standalone.
Thanks Rob, i've asked for the cam sheet - they can't supply one.

It sounds like it did a couple of years ago when we did the cambelt and was 2 teeth out, like a tractor, but i've checked the cams and the marks on the gears all line up with the timing marks.
Can I check that the crank is lined up without taking the crank pulley off?

He just wants to get it running half decent for now while he saves up for a Haltech and then up the boost at that stage but it's running like a pig at the moment, he's spent a lot of money and got no result.

Re: Lower compression - do we now need to run advance ign?

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 2:02 pm
by FTODreams
To check the crank you need to get yourself a TDC gauge for that. Take out the spark plug and chuck the gauge in to see when piston number 1 gets to the very top.

Why can't they supply a cam sheet? It's pretty essential to know what your duration and lift is for timing purposes.

Re: Lower compression - do we now need to run advance ign?

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 2:10 pm
by Rob Furniss
Yeah I know, he said they can't get them from the supplier, but it's their cams so not sure what's going on.

Anyway here's a video, maybe wasn't as bad as I made out?
https://youtu.be/sFmLUZ7rBAo

I think we need to fix the AFR first (exhaust leak I think/hope) and then go from there I think, but i'm surprised that it sounds tappety on a brand new engine.

Engine isn't really running backwards it just looks like it is!

Re: Lower compression - do we now need to run advance ign?

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 2:55 pm
by FTODreams
It definitely sounds really tappety. That's about almost as bad as my engine is for tapping. They're definitely all new tappets right? And they've been adjusted properly? The tappet noise sounds like its ramping up and down strangely.

After 5-10 minutes of installing all new tappets on Shiggz old engine they quieted right down. I'm assuming that engine has run for longer than that now.

Definitely fixing the exhaust leak and tappets (if there is something wrong with them, seems like there is) would help it not be so sluggish.

Re: Lower compression - do we now need to run advance ign?

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 3:06 pm
by Rob Furniss
Not new tappets, but they've all been out and put back when the engine was rebuilt, and supposed to have been adjusted.
New valve springs too.

Re: Lower compression - do we now need to run advance ign?

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 3:07 pm
by Vectose
I really don't know how RPW is still in business. lol

Re: Lower compression - do we now need to run advance ign?

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 3:11 pm
by FTODreams
I'd take a wild guess and say the tappets weren't adjusted or one or two have broken.

Re: Lower compression - do we now need to run advance ign?

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 12:34 pm
by Rob Furniss
Spoke to them - tappets will need adjusting, fair enough.

Re: Lower compression - do we now need to run advance ign?

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 4:10 pm
by mezje
Vectose wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2018 3:07 pm I really don't know how RPW is still in business. lol
:lol: :lol:

Seems like a complete sh*t show based on this thread and others...