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[xaaronx]

Physical (valve) timing involves your timing belt. That SHOULD remain accurate as long as the belt was installed properly, and doesn't skip a tooth. It keeps the rotation of the crank and camshafts synchronized, so the valves and pistons are where they need to be at all times. If this was off, you'd probably notice it in the way the car runs. The only other way to adjust this is with an adjustable cam gear.

Electrical (ignition) timing involves your distributor. This is MUCH easier to adjust, and it's the "timing" most people are referring to. To do so, you need a timing light (about $40 for a cheap one at most autoparts stores). The light is very easy to use. You need to jump your service connector (the one used to check the CEL codes) when adjusting the timing, so the ECU doesn't compensate.
Get the light, hook it up as the instructions say, remove the plug on the front of the transmission, and aim the light down there. The timing marks on the flywheel should be visible. Center is 15*, with 2* on either side shown by smaller marks. That is the "safe area". Beyond that, you could be damaging your engine (though most people have said that fully advanced and fully retarded have done no such thing... better to have it right, though!) Turn your distributor until the marker is in that safe range. Center it on the 15* mark.

If you're removed, replaced, or adjusted your distributor at all in the past, and haven't corrected your ignition timing, I can guarantee you that you're off.



What do you have in place of a cat? Straight pipe? hollowed out cat?

thanks for that information. helped a ton, seriously. and i haven't touched the distributor but next time my car happens to be in a shop i'll have them check my timing for me.

i have a test pipe in place of the cat because it fell off a little after i got the car LOL. i do want a catalytic converter though, just can't bring myself to spend the 100 dollars for some reason.

[92smokeaccord]

no catalytic converter.

my bad bro.didnt read the hole thing.srry

[93.4dr.22A1]

i do want a catalytic converter though, just can't bring myself to spend the 100 dollars for some reason.

Why would you "want" a cat? It restricts exhaust more than anything in the car, after years it will clog up and cause more problems. The only reason to run a cat, IMO, is too pass emissions, and if your a tree huger.

[wed3k]

because deev owns the air.

<-doesnt run a cat, mine "fell" off as well.