Octane Adjust (Shorting Plug)

[nagelandy55]

I was reading through my manual when i found this little jem. Apparently when connected (shorted) will advance your timing 3 degree's. I don't have any pics handy but its located right beside the PCM, looks like a connecter hanging there. Here's a pic of what you can do with it in the Advantage III software.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/nagelandy55/misc/OctaneAdjustPlug.jpg

The possibilities are endless! :rockwoot:

[nagelandy55]

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/nagelandy55/misc/OctaneAdjust003.jpg
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/nagelandy55/misc/OctaneAdjust004.jpg
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/nagelandy55/misc/OctaneAdjust005.jpg

[Jesshwarren]

My harness don't have that plug must be there up till 97. Check and see how it works :)

[nagelandy55]

Apparently on 98+ vehicles you can access it through the vehicle identification block. Don't ask me where that is.

[nagelandy55]

seems to be some kinda program inside the PCM

[gumby]

i was reading someplace about a guy who had his octane adjuster wired up to his clutch switch with the values changed on his tuning software.....built in two-step.

[fordnut71]

:popcorn: id like to hear more info on all this

[nagelandy55]

What about a switch on the dash? Premium switch!

[gumby]

found it:
Well the 2-step is actually a 1-step. I set the EEC up to pull 40* of timing out when the octane switch is on "regular", and set minimum timing to 5*. Incidentally, the octane switch is hooked to the clutch [Wink] SO, cluch in- 5* timing everywhere but idle, clutch out- full advance. EEC rev limit is set to 7k. I mat it, sit on the rev limiter, timing @ 5*, watch boost climb to 15-20psi (happens real quick, about 3 bounces) and drop the clutch. Bang. [thumbup]

FWIW, this guy is pullin 1.4 60fts, and runnin 11.0's in a 2.3T ranger :yesnod:

[nagelandy55]

sweet

[D94R]

That "pill" is included for the rare occasion you travel somewhere and can only find ****ty/low octane gas. Pull the pill, pull timing across the board, save your engine.
(Well, without talking to the Engineers themselves who designed the system, this is the best explanation I could ever come up with)

So, as it sits, you have it connected, which gives you the optimum timing. Pulling it would be working backwards.





On Gumby's info: You could do the same sort of mod without having to modify the EEC code. Wire up the SpOut wire to the clutch AND a switch/button in parallel. Pull up to the line, engage the clutch and switch/button for base timeing and a decent boost builder. Once you drop the clutch, timing shoots back to EEC controlled timing and off you go. You would need the parallel circuit to keep from dropping to base timing anytime you shift. It would work in theory,... but not sure how much boost and how fast you could build the boost by sitting on the rev limiter at base timing.

[snoranger]

The shorting bar was originally installed to qualify the 2.3 turbo for a California emissions requirement to be able to run on regular fuel. Removing the shorting bar retards the timing by about 3 degrees, allowing the engine to run on lower octane fuel without knocking.

[nagelandy55]

On Gumby's info: You could do the same sort of mod without having to modify the EEC code. Wire up the SpOut wire to the clutch AND a switch/button in parallel. Pull up to the line, engage the clutch and switch/button for base timeing and a decent boost builder. Once you drop the clutch, timing shoots back to EEC controlled timing and off you go. You would need the parallel circuit to keep from dropping to base timing anytime you shift. It would work in theory,... but not sure how much boost and how fast you could build the boost by sitting on the rev limiter at base timing.


This doesn't apply to OBDII engines.

[D94R]

You're right, EDIS Ranger's wont have the SpOut. I was just throwing it out there for anyone with pre OBDII.

[Cutlass327]

So what harness is that on? T-C, XR, or Ranger? If not on the Ranger harness, then what pins of the LA3 would be for that connector? Want to make sure I have it to it's full potential!

[nagelandy55]

Thats on the 96 ranger harness, pin 30 on the PCM

[D94R]

Cutlass, in stock form, its included from the factory for optimal factory timing. Unless your harness has been previously modded/hacked, its already there.

[Cutlass327]

K. Mine is the Ranger's harness with the sensors added and repinned... Just making sure I wasn't missing something!