Spark Adv not matching Spark table
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From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Spark Adv not matching Spark table
I datalogged today using Datamaster and during a WOT run I noticed that my spark advance only reads 32.7 deg at WOT at any rpm above 3000 but I have 35.86 deg in the main table. Why is it doing this? My base timing is set to 12deg. My PE spark table is zeroed out and I am using the main spark table for all timing. $8d 7730 saujpv4. Thanks in "advance"
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From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
Any takers? Could it be that knock is detected and no allowing it to go to 36deg?
Last edited by pwdbychevy; Mar 20, 2009 at 08:41 AM.
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From: Browns Town
Car: 86 Monte SS (730,$8D,G3,AP,4K,S_V4)
Engine: 406 Hyd Roller 236/242
Transmission: 700R4 HomeBrew, 2.4K stall
Axle/Gears: 3:73 Posi, 7.5 Soon to break
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
Check the table bias value and the temperature compensation.
Could be one of those or knock like you said.
Could be one of those or knock like you said.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
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From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
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From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
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From: Calif
Car: 75 Vette
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Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
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From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
I have an SD system and this is the only spark temp correction table I could find unless there's another one that I'm missing.
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
Check your log for any knock detection and spark retard for that knock. It could be false because at your air fuel and that spark advance with your compression/heads, i dont think you'll have any detonation/knock counts.
I use tunerpro rt and when i do a run, i'll have my spark retard function open and read that along with my main timing and see if it matches. Thing is, usually max timing will still be displayed correctly but the retard will show negative spark, which is how much its pulling. May be the same with your datamaster but i'm not sure.
Also, does your engine base timing match whats in the chip for base reference timing? If its not, it may be abit retarded.
I use tunerpro rt and when i do a run, i'll have my spark retard function open and read that along with my main timing and see if it matches. Thing is, usually max timing will still be displayed correctly but the retard will show negative spark, which is how much its pulling. May be the same with your datamaster but i'm not sure.
Also, does your engine base timing match whats in the chip for base reference timing? If its not, it may be abit retarded.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
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From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
Check your log for any knock detection and spark retard for that knock. It could be false because at your air fuel and that spark advance with your compression/heads, i dont think you'll have any detonation/knock counts.
I use tunerpro rt and when i do a run, i'll have my spark retard function open and read that along with my main timing and see if it matches. Thing is, usually max timing will still be displayed correctly but the retard will show negative spark, which is how much its pulling. May be the same with your datamaster but i'm not sure.
Also, does your engine base timing match whats in the chip for base reference timing? If its not, it may be abit retarded.
I use tunerpro rt and when i do a run, i'll have my spark retard function open and read that along with my main timing and see if it matches. Thing is, usually max timing will still be displayed correctly but the retard will show negative spark, which is how much its pulling. May be the same with your datamaster but i'm not sure.
Also, does your engine base timing match whats in the chip for base reference timing? If its not, it may be abit retarded.
) Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
Ahhh, probly false knock. There is a table you can limit how much timing is pulled when knock is detected. I turned mine down to like 2 degrees over the 10-15 it was. You could eliminate it if your comfortable doing so. Your tune should be ok. AFR's have good chambers, like i've said i've run lean and mean with alot of timing no problems detected. Your tune should be safe so you can desensitize the knock sensor
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Browns Town
Car: 86 Monte SS (730,$8D,G3,AP,4K,S_V4)
Engine: 406 Hyd Roller 236/242
Transmission: 700R4 HomeBrew, 2.4K stall
Axle/Gears: 3:73 Posi, 7.5 Soon to break
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
With a bias value of 20, and the temp table flattened at 20, you'll have what is in the main table (after warmup, not closed throttle) and without retard happening.
Sounds like it is some kind of retard happening.
I get some retard at odd times without seeing any knock counts too and when not even beating on it. I've always figured it was just getting to the KS frequency threshold or something, not sure how much effect there is before a knock count actually registers.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 26
From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
Ahhh, probly false knock. There is a table you can limit how much timing is pulled when knock is detected. I turned mine down to like 2 degrees over the 10-15 it was. You could eliminate it if your comfortable doing so. Your tune should be ok. AFR's have good chambers, like i've said i've run lean and mean with alot of timing no problems detected. Your tune should be safe so you can desensitize the knock sensor
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 26
From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
That's the one I was talking about.
With a bias value of 20, and the temp table flattened at 20, you'll have what is in the main table (after warmup, not closed throttle) and without retard happening.
Sounds like it is some kind of retard happening.
I get some retard at odd times without seeing any knock counts too and when not even beating on it. I've always figured it was just getting to the KS frequency threshold or something, not sure how much effect there is before a knock count actually registers.
With a bias value of 20, and the temp table flattened at 20, you'll have what is in the main table (after warmup, not closed throttle) and without retard happening.
Sounds like it is some kind of retard happening.
I get some retard at odd times without seeing any knock counts too and when not even beating on it. I've always figured it was just getting to the KS frequency threshold or something, not sure how much effect there is before a knock count actually registers.
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From: sweden
Car: GTA -89
Engine: Blown 415"
Transmission: 4L80E
Axle/Gears: Strange 12-bolt
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
sounds wierd...
If you like post/email *bin + log file and I can take a look.

If you like post/email *bin + log file and I can take a look.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
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From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
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From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 3
From: Browns Town
Car: 86 Monte SS (730,$8D,G3,AP,4K,S_V4)
Engine: 406 Hyd Roller 236/242
Transmission: 700R4 HomeBrew, 2.4K stall
Axle/Gears: 3:73 Posi, 7.5 Soon to break
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
Suggestions:
1.) You have the low octane routine enabled.
Put them back to 00 until you find the actual problem. This may be masking part or all of it.
2.) You have OL idle and CL idle thresholds both set to 00.
If you wish to disable this function just set them low (as they were) so CL idle happens at 500 RPM rising and it will drop into OL if RPM drops below 350 falling.
Those settings effectivly disable the OL idle routine. There is no on/off for it.
You had manual trans selected but I thought you had an auto.Maybe you have a stick??
1.) You have the low octane routine enabled.
Put them back to 00 until you find the actual problem. This may be masking part or all of it.
2.) You have OL idle and CL idle thresholds both set to 00.
If you wish to disable this function just set them low (as they were) so CL idle happens at 500 RPM rising and it will drop into OL if RPM drops below 350 falling.
Those settings effectivly disable the OL idle routine. There is no on/off for it.
You had manual trans selected but I thought you had an auto.Maybe you have a stick??
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 26
From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
Suggestions:
1.) You have the low octane routine enabled.
Put them back to 00 until you find the actual problem. This may be masking part or all of it.
2.) You have OL idle and CL idle thresholds both set to 00.
If you wish to disable this function just set them low (as they were) so CL idle happens at 500 RPM rising and it will drop into OL if RPM drops below 350 falling.
Those settings effectivly disable the OL idle routine. There is no on/off for it.
You had manual trans selected but I thought you had an auto.Maybe you have a stick??
1.) You have the low octane routine enabled.
Put them back to 00 until you find the actual problem. This may be masking part or all of it.
2.) You have OL idle and CL idle thresholds both set to 00.
If you wish to disable this function just set them low (as they were) so CL idle happens at 500 RPM rising and it will drop into OL if RPM drops below 350 falling.
Those settings effectivly disable the OL idle routine. There is no on/off for it.
You had manual trans selected but I thought you had an auto.Maybe you have a stick??
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 3
From: Browns Town
Car: 86 Monte SS (730,$8D,G3,AP,4K,S_V4)
Engine: 406 Hyd Roller 236/242
Transmission: 700R4 HomeBrew, 2.4K stall
Axle/Gears: 3:73 Posi, 7.5 Soon to break
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
The routine runs for idle only, with both at 00 I'm not sure what that will do beside keep conflicting with itself.
I'd say to put them to the 350 and 500 level and use the normal temp enable to keep you in OL all the time.
I'd say to put them to the 350 and 500 level and use the normal temp enable to keep you in OL all the time.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
What are the names of the tables you're referring to again? I want to make sure I'm changing the right tables.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 3
From: Browns Town
Car: 86 Monte SS (730,$8D,G3,AP,4K,S_V4)
Engine: 406 Hyd Roller 236/242
Transmission: 700R4 HomeBrew, 2.4K stall
Axle/Gears: 3:73 Posi, 7.5 Soon to break
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
Constants at address 992 & 993 IIRC.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 26
From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Supreme Member

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From: sweden
Car: GTA -89
Engine: Blown 415"
Transmission: 4L80E
Axle/Gears: Strange 12-bolt
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
sorry......... my computer cant open .zip files I download from thirdgen???? maybe a known MS vista problem?? (computer is new....)
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
same here, i cant download zips here either. Not using vista. SOmeone suggested its a Internet Explorer thing
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Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
Yes, IE issue. Try using FireFox for the downloads. I also prefer it for a browser over IE.
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RBob.
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Re: Spark Adv not matching Spark table
PM your emails so I can email them to yall.
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