Thread: Trying to figure out how to raise the ignition timing with S4 cams

I need help figuring out a couple things here...

1) I need to Raise Idle speed so it doesn't Periodically die at idle or low speeds. (This happens often in parking lots when clutching a lot)
2) I need to figure out how to raise set my timing to 17 degrees and be SURE its at 17 degrees.


Before the cams, i had idle set at 750, TPS/IACV UNPLUGGED. (yes i have the car that requires the IACV to be unplugged to set base idle, took me forever to figure this out too) It idles around 850 with them plugged in. i need to raise the idle so that when the sensors ARE plugged in, it idles around 1000, How do i do this?

Then how to i set the base timing? what RPM can i set base timing in? too low= lopey as hell and i cant figure out where the timing is when the marks are jumping all over the place...

Ive searched for this.. people just do it, and report they have done it, but theres still no "HOW-TO: Adjust proper idle and timing with S4 cams" thread. BTW running stock ECU for now and i have no conzult or anything like that...

Base idle and Timing has to be done with the TPS unplugged . engine warmed up,.... You should not have the IACV unplugged ( although it doesnt matter since the IACV should not do anything with the TPS unplugged ... ) ... Timing is checked when Base Idle is at spec ... Somewhere around 850 or so ... ... Yea, the S4's will bounce around a little , but if everything is how it should be , you should be able to set timing at 850 easy ... I just rechecked my Timing with my S4's and had no issue ...

Once your timing is set , then plug in the TPS , run it for a while and then you can set the idle wherever you want it to be with the idle adjustment screw ...

In most cases... yes. ur are right. but not in this case..

My car is one of the weird ones where it needs the IACV unplugged as well or else it idles at 1500 with JUST the TPS unplugged



^^^^^^^^^^^ This was not important to my post tho.. it was just background story. i just need help setting idle higher so i can accurately set the freakin timing

i read in another post if the transmission neutral switch isnt plugged in, u cant get into timing mode. im running a p11 swap and i dont have the neutral switch... is this preventing me from getting into timing mode?

Dude, you should get something to get your AFR more rich, a fiend of mine had that problem, and he got a SAFC, he added more fuel in low RPMS and problem solved, idles normaly and you barely hear the cams...

How do u reset the ECU on these?? is there a specific way or do u just take the neg wire off the battery for a while? i wanna reset the self learning, does that happen when the ecu resets?

i bought an AEM series2 standalone, should help.

Had I known a multi-thousand dollar ECU upgrade was an option, I would have recommended it as a solution yesterday.

lol.. ;D

Surely if you just wind out the idle adjust screw with the IACV unplugged, you can bring the idle up?