Timing Issues - Help
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- Pinkfluffybunnys
- Over Boosting
- Posts: 1693
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 1:21 pm
- Car: Other
- Engine: SR
- Real Name: Ashley
- Location: Pretoria
Timing Issues - Help
Welcome to my ignition timing nightmare.
Ever since I have installed the PONcams I have been unable to get my CAS to 15 Degrees Ignition timing. The Item is fully retarded to one side and the lowest number I can reach is 20 degrees.
I have had my front timing covers off so many times I can do it in my sleep. Everything lines up the crank is at TDC,I even checked this with a marked rod in piston number 1 and slowly cycling the motor to make sure the marks line up.
The cam pulleys are Identical for exhaust and inlet so they can’t cause any misalignment, all the marks line up on the motor so I have no idea what’s wrong,I have dropped a E-mail to Tomei to see what they say but it does look like the “half-moon’ “Cas spline is advanced when compared to a stock Exhaust cam using the Pin as a reference point.
Guys any Ideas are welcome, I don’t know what to check anymore
Ever since I have installed the PONcams I have been unable to get my CAS to 15 Degrees Ignition timing. The Item is fully retarded to one side and the lowest number I can reach is 20 degrees.
I have had my front timing covers off so many times I can do it in my sleep. Everything lines up the crank is at TDC,I even checked this with a marked rod in piston number 1 and slowly cycling the motor to make sure the marks line up.
The cam pulleys are Identical for exhaust and inlet so they can’t cause any misalignment, all the marks line up on the motor so I have no idea what’s wrong,I have dropped a E-mail to Tomei to see what they say but it does look like the “half-moon’ “Cas spline is advanced when compared to a stock Exhaust cam using the Pin as a reference point.
Guys any Ideas are welcome, I don’t know what to check anymore
2008 Mazda 6 MPS - Daily Drive
1\4 Mile:
1993 Nissan Sentra 200STI SR20VE – Mild VE
1\4 mile: 14.815 @153km\h @ ODI --- 1KM:195Km\h
Because Race Car
1\4 Mile:
1993 Nissan Sentra 200STI SR20VE – Mild VE
1\4 mile: 14.815 @153km\h @ ODI --- 1KM:195Km\h
Because Race Car
Are you reading the 20degrees on the laptop or on the crank pulley?? I have a good few sx's come in and the keyway in the pulley is worn and this give false readings. Rather check on the ECU than on the pulley to be safe.
The Tomie cams could look advanced in comparison to stock cams because they may have changed the cam timing in factory so you dont have to use vernier pulleys.
The Tomie cams could look advanced in comparison to stock cams because they may have changed the cam timing in factory so you dont have to use vernier pulleys.
DriftZ: "I swear if a CA18 beats my SR im getting a RB!"
- Pinkfluffybunnys
- Over Boosting
- Posts: 1693
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 1:21 pm
- Car: Other
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- Real Name: Ashley
- Location: Pretoria
Both, I get the same readingAre you reading the 20degrees on the laptop or on the crank pulley?? I have a good few sx's come in and the keyway in the pulley is worn and this give false readings. Rather check on the ECU than on the pulley to be safe.
The Tomie cams could look advanced in comparison to stock cams because they may have changed the cam timing in factory so you dont have to use vernier pulleys.
Pon cams are degreed but the Spline and half moon for the Cas should be cut correctly so the CAS sits in the middle and not at 20 Degrees at full retard. I can’t see tomei making a F-up like that
2008 Mazda 6 MPS - Daily Drive
1\4 Mile:
1993 Nissan Sentra 200STI SR20VE – Mild VE
1\4 mile: 14.815 @153km\h @ ODI --- 1KM:195Km\h
Because Race Car
1\4 Mile:
1993 Nissan Sentra 200STI SR20VE – Mild VE
1\4 mile: 14.815 @153km\h @ ODI --- 1KM:195Km\h
Because Race Car
- Pinkfluffybunnys
- Over Boosting
- Posts: 1693
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 1:21 pm
- Car: Other
- Engine: SR
- Real Name: Ashley
- Location: Pretoria
Shit Dude, I have double, triple checked it but let me post pics maybe you can see something I am missingAre you 110% sure the cam timing is correct??
But I dont think its out becuase the car starts smoother and pulls damn hard
2008 Mazda 6 MPS - Daily Drive
1\4 Mile:
1993 Nissan Sentra 200STI SR20VE – Mild VE
1\4 mile: 14.815 @153km\h @ ODI --- 1KM:195Km\h
Because Race Car
1\4 Mile:
1993 Nissan Sentra 200STI SR20VE – Mild VE
1\4 mile: 14.815 @153km\h @ ODI --- 1KM:195Km\h
Because Race Car
Yeah but maybe because they are degreed you dont notice it as much as if it were stock cams...But I dont think its out becuase the car starts smoother and pulls damn hard
I found that if you mark the back of the tooth it really makes it easier to get the timing spot on...
DriftZ: "I swear if a CA18 beats my SR im getting a RB!"
- Pinkfluffybunnys
- Over Boosting
- Posts: 1693
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 1:21 pm
- Car: Other
- Engine: SR
- Real Name: Ashley
- Location: Pretoria
Yeah but maybe because they are degreed you dont notice it as much as if it were stock cams...
I found that if you mark the back of the tooth it really makes it easier to get the timing spot on...
You’re seeing things the same way I did, I have checked the timing so many times it’s scary but let me post the pics and you can check as well.
I mean I even checked my Crank TDC
2008 Mazda 6 MPS - Daily Drive
1\4 Mile:
1993 Nissan Sentra 200STI SR20VE – Mild VE
1\4 mile: 14.815 @153km\h @ ODI --- 1KM:195Km\h
Because Race Car
1\4 Mile:
1993 Nissan Sentra 200STI SR20VE – Mild VE
1\4 mile: 14.815 @153km\h @ ODI --- 1KM:195Km\h
Because Race Car
something similar happened to me when changing to DE cams, and it turned out to be a PEBCAC error!
there was a scratch on the cover that goes against the head. the one you use to reference TDC on teh top of the motor. this scratch was on the exhaust side, where the cas goes in.
the scratch was one tooth ahead of the normal timing mark, and it screwed me around numerous times!
so... are you absolutely positive "POSITIVE" that you have set the crank and cams at TDC???
there was a scratch on the cover that goes against the head. the one you use to reference TDC on teh top of the motor. this scratch was on the exhaust side, where the cas goes in.
the scratch was one tooth ahead of the normal timing mark, and it screwed me around numerous times!
so... are you absolutely positive "POSITIVE" that you have set the crank and cams at TDC???
ReeceZ wrote:I'm sorry... I couldn't help it. Please no one wish any hateful shit on me, I own an SX already
yup - its actually so easy to cock up the timing on the cams with the ca18.
check the FSM - you'll get the tooth count, that really helps, usually only if you have the at least one of the reference points correct. but im sure you already knew this!
check the FSM - you'll get the tooth count, that really helps, usually only if you have the at least one of the reference points correct. but im sure you already knew this!

ReeceZ wrote:I'm sorry... I couldn't help it. Please no one wish any hateful shit on me, I own an SX already
- Pinkfluffybunnys
- Over Boosting
- Posts: 1693
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 1:21 pm
- Car: Other
- Engine: SR
- Real Name: Ashley
- Location: Pretoria
- Pinkfluffybunnys
- Over Boosting
- Posts: 1693
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 1:21 pm
- Car: Other
- Engine: SR
- Real Name: Ashley
- Location: Pretoria
? Thats TDC HonestlyYour not on tdc buddy. Take the crank pully of and coun't from the mark on the timing belt pully itself

Counted teeth like I said and the crank sprocket matches up, But I did kind of resolve the issue, I am now on 15 degrees and it must just stay there.Those timing marks look spot on, either it is out on the crank or that is how the cams are made...
Like I said the spline and half moon for the CAS on the tomie cams is not in thte same location as the stock exhaust cam it slightly advanced and I don’t know why. I have picture of that as well that I will post
2008 Mazda 6 MPS - Daily Drive
1\4 Mile:
1993 Nissan Sentra 200STI SR20VE – Mild VE
1\4 mile: 14.815 @153km\h @ ODI --- 1KM:195Km\h
Because Race Car
1\4 Mile:
1993 Nissan Sentra 200STI SR20VE – Mild VE
1\4 mile: 14.815 @153km\h @ ODI --- 1KM:195Km\h
Because Race Car