**** Disclaimer: I am not claiming to be an expert and am only posting this to generate discussion.****
WRT diesel timing; wondered what it would look like if you took a pure RPM-adjusted approach as a starting point. Essentially keep the beginning of the pulse the same time before TDC through the RPM range. Example: 9 degrees at 1500 RPM is 1000us. Corrected for increased RPM, the lead time of the pulse increases; converted to degrees BTDC, and looks something like this:
RPM – Timing BTDC
1500 – 9.0
1600 – 9.6
1700 – 10.2
1800 – 10.8
1900 – 11.4
2000 – 12.0
2100 – 12.6
2400 – 14.4
2500 – 15.0
2750 – 16.5
2800 – 16.8
2900 – 17.4
3000 – 18.0
3200 – 19.2
3300 – 19.8
3400 – 20.4
4800 – 28.8
Using the simple spread sheet you could start with any number you want so, to be conservative, you could program the majority of the table for 6 degrees and just bump up the cruise area to what you know works. This is not designed to give you the entire table, only to provide a starting point for timing values that run diagonally from upper left to lower right in the timing tables. If you’ve done any logging at all you know this is by far the most-used area of the tables. The other areas of the tables (upper right, and lower left) I would leave stock if you don’t have a preference.
Is this corrected for heat, load, etc.? Nope. It simply starts the pulse the same number of microseconds before TDC throughout the RPM range. If I understand these diesels correctly, the pulse is likely burning as it is injected into the combustion chamber under normal circumstances so I can’t imagine increased heat or load requiring significantly altered timing. That still wouldn’t keep me from having a more conservative timing map ready to select on my DSP5 for those heavy uphill tows on a hot day.
Is this similar to the 50/50 method? No. This method addresses the beginning of the pulse and it doesn’t matter how long the pulse is. The 50/50 method and this may agreed at some point in the table but it would just be a coincidence.
Why is there such a large dip in stock timing in the middle of the table(s)? I’ve never heard an explanation that makes sense to me. My guess is that it is all about reducing emissions and noise, not performance or economy. I understand that retarded timing helps reduce NOx.
I am already running timing similar to this and haven’t found any negatives but I certainly don’t have the equipment or know how to prove its worth either.
Standing by for the spears…