How to monitor and set CMP Retard (Newbie) on 5.7 Vortec

[Bondo Special]

Hi guys i just got my EFI Live V2 recently and the only things I have done with it so far are scan my stock 5.0 tune, load 5.7 parameters into it, and load that tune onto the ECM. That all worked great.

What I need to do is monitor the CMP retard to try to set it to zero. Do I use 7.5 or 8.0 to do this (I have both installed) and can anyone give me a quick dummy explanation of how to select that item to monitor and monitor it in real time? I didn't know if this question should have gone in the scanning section but I saw this was Vortec specific in here.

Thanks

Steve

[Bondo Special]

Figured it out. My rough setting of the distributor by lining up the marks had CMP retard reading slightly over 2 degrees. That is pretty damn close for a rough adjustment!

[Mikz86ta]

CMPRET is the PID you will select. I think 7.5 will work because it shows up for my 4.3L and I am using 7.5 V1 on a 2003 PCM. Tho my 4.3L dizzy isnt adjustable. Monitor it in ScanTool Dashboard graph. Just select it in there after you select the PID for it.

[Mikz86ta]

Yes, you are fine. The adjustment I heard is +/-2* and also +/-5* acceptable.
Then other reading say just stay under 10*. IDK who to trust but at your setting ur in excellent shape

[Bondo Special]

CMPRET is the PID you will select. I think 7.5 will work because it shows up for my 4.3L and I am using 7.5 V1 on a 2003 PCM. Tho my 4.3L dizzy isnt adjustable. Monitor it in ScanTool Dashboard graph. Just select it in there after you select the PID for it.

Thanks yeah it worked. New things scare me but this wasn't that scary.

[Mikz86ta]

Cool, glad u got it figured. I am happy I knew something to help someone else on here..yay. I alsways ask for help its nice to give back :)

[Chevy 97]

It is +/- 2, 0 preferably.

[Bondo Special]

yep I will adjust it to get it even closer, I have a ton of adjustment on this distributor, I am surprised I got it that close just aligning and dropping it in. Thanks!

[Mikz86ta]

I heard that you need to be at like 2000 RPM when adjusting it because the Cam Sensor is not accurate below that RPM.
On my 4.3L the new dizzy was a drop-in and bolt-in with no adj option. But its not correct in CMPRET. I guess hog out the hole and make it adjustable?

[Bondo Special]

Yeah I noticed that it only updates the CMP retard value off-idle, I tried varying rpms from 1000-3000 and the CMP retard value only changed a few tenths anywhere within that rpm range.