RB26DETT Ignition Timing Adjustment and TDC Check

Setting ignition timing is very important in making sure an engine runs correctly. A Nissan Skyline GT-R RB26 engine normal ignition timing is 20BTDC, or 20 degrees before top dead center.  The sensor on the exhaust camshaft is normally called a crank angle sensor(CAS) even though it is driven off the camshaft.  If the CAS is anywhere but in the middle of its range, you should be questioning why it is in that position.  Not every timing light reads timing on a coil on plug RB26DETT correctly, so if it seems 40 degrees off, try flipping the pickup wire over. Watch video at the end of this post.

If flipping it over doesn't work, you might want to put a spark plug wire on #1 coil, and get your reading there. 

Finding Top Dead Center or TDC

R34 CAS. Ignition timing is very advanced. This is not normal. 

CAS set correctly with anti tamper seal

R34 CAS on the left, R32/R33 on the right