Help with S14 SR20DET Timing...

[Aaron_Moiz]

Hi Guys,

Newbie here...We just did a complete rebuild of our S14 SR20DET with stage 2 BC CAMS.

The engine starts up perfect but we are having problems with timing...

When trying to set the ignition timing the marks on the pulley are way off. Is it because we are running aftermarket CAMS or is there something wrong? When we fully retard the CAS then the timing mark is at 20 Degree.

Any idea why we cant get the timing right or set it to factory specs...

Thanks...

[Tom N]

Are you sure your not off a tooth?

[PeaceOnesxWai]

Are you sure you put the Cam Angle Sensor in correctly? There are timing marks on the CAS and it has to be put in a certain way or else you will get the wrong timing.

Follow this.
How To Set Crank Angle Sensor (CAS) Timing on the SR20DET Engine

Also double check your chains, make sure you are TDC and the timing marks are correct to the cam gears. If you happen to drop the chain when you installed the cams you could have misaligned the chain to the crank. You will have to take off your front cover and redo the timing chain again...

[steve shadows]

What sort of condition is the CAS itself in?

Remember some of these parts are 20+ years old

[steve shadows]

Also what timing light are you using?

Make sure to cross check. Get an old spark plug wire put it on no.1 then connect the conductive end and jam it into no.1 coil pack. Then hook up your ZEROED out timing light to the spark plug wire portion. Then pull this reading.

The black loop is not always accurate.

[Aaron_Moiz]

Originally Posted by PeaceOnesxWai

Are you sure you put the Cam Angle Sensor in correctly? There are timing marks on the CAS and it has to be put in a certain way or else you will get the wrong timing.

Follow this.
How To Set Crank Angle Sensor (CAS) Timing on the SR20DET Engine

Also double check your chains, make sure you are TDC and the timing marks are correct to the cam gears. If you happen to drop the chain when you installed the cams you could have misaligned the chain to the crank. You will have to take off your front cover and redo the timing chain again...

Thanks for the quick response guys will definitely check the chain alignment to the crank. We used the same website when installing the CAS and am petty sure that its in correctly. Can the stage 2 BC Cams cause some kind of misalignment of the markings in the pulley?

At TDC both the cam lobes are pointing outwards in opposite direction and the gear notches are on the dark grey chain links with the crank pulley on the 2nd pulley mark, does this mean that the chain is fitted correctly?

[Aaron_Moiz]

thanks, the thing is before the complete engine rebuild the timing was at factory spec using the method you have advised to check the timing but after the rebuild we can't get back to factory timing which is getting the needle on the 2nd pulley mark. My idle is a bit high around 1000-1100 RPM could this cause incorrect reading as well...

Using standard timing light without any dial...

[inopsey]

Originally Posted by steve shadows

Also what timing light are you using?

Make sure to cross check. Get an old spark plug wire put it on no.1 then connect the conductive end and jam it into no.1 coil pack. Then hook up your ZEROED out timing light to the spark plug wire portion. Then pull this reading.

The black loop is not always accurate.

why do people keep recommending such a ghetto way of reading the timing on these engines as if its voodoo. there will be no difference in reading the timing using a ghetto wire between the coilpack and plug or putting the timing light on the harness coming off coil 1. i know because i have done both methods then tried the back loop (which was off)