Spark retard getting better

wildphil

I Love My Ty's
I have had a bit of luck on my quest to rid my truck a spark retard problem. My latest attempt of a fix was to retard the initial timing by 2 deg. :tup: That helped a whole lot. On my data master run the first 3 times that I tested my truck(by giving it alot of throttle for a few seconds to build boost) data master showed 0 spark retard. The max boost I safely get it up to was about 12 lbs(it was covering alot of ground fast). The following 2 times that I got on it there was spark retard. The most spark retard reaching 5.6 at 12.8 of boost. I talked to Jimmy and we thought this may have been caused by the ia temps at this time reaching 160 degrees. I am posting this to see if you other guys agree or have other suggestions at this point.

Phil
 

wildphil

I Love My Ty's
Re: Spark retard getting better

I do need to see how much my ic pump is flowing. It is a new pump but when I take the cap off the upper intercooler it is hard to tell there is any fluid movement. The pump is also wired to run all of the time. On the fuel pressure I did just adjust it to 45 psi. That may have helped with the spark retard also. Since I have been working on correcting the spark retard problem for awhile I have done the walbro, vacuum lines, and fuel filter, also the fuel. At this time I am running 100 oct. racing fuel mixed with 93 oct. pump gas. The only things so far that have really made a difference was today be setting the timing 2 degrees btdc and bumping the fuel pressure to 45lbs. I am sorry for making it sound like my truck would only make 12 lbs of boost. I just let off the throttle when it reached about 12 lbs of boost. I have a custom chip and 3 bar map. I am not sure how much boost it will make but I know more than 16 lbs.
 

turbodig

Active member
Re: Spark retard getting better

wildphil said:
I have had a bit of luck on my quest to rid my truck a spark retard problem. My latest attempt of a fix was to retard the initial timing by 2 deg. :tup: That helped a whole lot. On my data master run the first 3 times that I tested my truck(by giving it alot of throttle for a few seconds to build boost) data master showed 0 spark retard. The max boost I safely get it up to was about 12 lbs(it was covering alot of ground fast). The following 2 times that I got on it there was spark retard. The most spark retard reaching 5.6 at 12.8 of boost. I talked to Jimmy and we thought this may have been caused by the ia temps at this time reaching 160 degrees. I am posting this to see if you other guys agree or have other suggestions at this point.

Phil

Sounds like you're on the right track... I'd attack the IC problem, first thing.
Get a decent pump (Shurflo) and make sure your lower is clean and the fins are all straight. Put a chunk of clear hose in the line that runs to the top IC fitting... it'll tell you how much is flowing. Buy the used ATR heat exchanger from MRKING (see classifieds)... it'll help.

The fact that fuel pressure and static timing reduction are helping tells me that your knock is very real, and related to the tune that you currently have running in the truck.

Also, I've had tanks of bad gas do this. Find a station completely different from the ones you normally use (location, brand, etc) and try a tank of it on your next fill. Some gas is regionally crappy... only way to get around it is xylene or tolulene in the tank.
 

Jimmy

Banned
Re: Spark retard getting better

turbodig said:
Sounds like you're on the right track... I'd attack the IC problem, first thing.
Get a decent pump (Shurflo) and make sure your lower is clean and the fins are all straight. Put a chunk of clear hose in the line that runs to the top IC fitting... it'll tell you how much is flowing. Buy the used ATR heat exchanger from MRKING (see classifieds)... it'll help.

The fact that fuel pressure and static timing reduction are helping tells me that your knock is very real, and related to the tune that you currently have running in the truck.

Also, I've had tanks of bad gas do this. Find a station completely different from the ones you normally use (location, brand, etc) and try a tank of it on your next fill. Some gas is regionally crappy... only way to get around it is xylene or tolulene in the tank.
He has an atr aux in his parts pile.I told him he needs to go ahead and install it. ;)
 

wildphil

I Love My Ty's
Re: Spark retard getting better

I will try to get the aux cooler installed tomarrow. I had to straighten the fins and repaint it. Thank you guys for helping me. I guess it is time for me to get this tuning equiptment out and learn how to use it. I hope you guys don't mind if I ask questions until I can get started. That is a great idea about using the clear hose. Does anyone know where I can buy some at?
 

turbodig

Active member
Re: Spark retard getting better

wildphil said:
I will try to get the aux cooler installed tomarrow. I had to straighten the fins and repaint it. Thank you guys for helping me. I guess it is time for me to get this tuning equiptment out and learn how to use it. I hope you guys don't mind if I ask questions until I can get started. That is a great idea about using the clear hose. Does anyone know where I can buy some at?


Menards/Home Depot/Lowes... they'll all have that clear vinyl stuff.
It's not intended as a long-term thing, though.
 
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