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Timing is Everything

Over the years there have been several ideas of what makes power in the Buick Turbo V-6 engine. Some experts say..."low boost with high timing"... while other say... "low timing with high boost"... who is right? That doesn’t really matter! Why? The customer generally can not control ignition timing (unless he/she installs a Translator Plus with an extender chip) and so with a Boost Valve kit ($41.00) or an adjustable wastegate actuator ($75-$99)will adjust the boost up or down according to need. So, low timing with high boost wins.

Over the years, through the seasons, and in different areas of the country or state the gasoline octane rating will change and require adjustment in boost and timing level.

Boost is easy, with an adjustable wastegate all you need to do is SHORTEN the rod one turn (360° turn) to raise the boost one pound and lengthen the rod one turn to lower the boost one pound. Note: This method is not an exact science, so do not adjust too much at one time. The other method is a Boost Valve kit located in the car or under the hood. Obviously in the car is more user friendly. There are two methods of ding this, but not today.

Timing is a little more difficult. You can go the old fashion way and change chips or you could go the thumbwheel route. Both work on the same premise, changing/switching a pre-programmed chip. There is nothing wrong with this method. The thumbwheels advantage is that you can switch chips on the fly. The pre-programmed settings could adjust everything from chip to chip or just certain aspects depending on your custom application of chip(s).

The Translator and/or Translator Plus will allow a more detailed tuning standpoint. You can adjust Idle fuel and separately WOT fuel. With the Translator Plus you can also adjust base timing across the board and at WOT, once again separately. The Translator kits are mounted under the hood but could be modified, via wire extensions, to be mounted in the vehicle compartment. These units are reasonably priced as follows.

Single chip..........$75-$100

Thumbwheel.......$300.+/-

Translator..........$176.+/-

Extender chip..$135.+/-

3.5" MAF ........$175.+/-

Translator Plus..$279.+/-

Extender chip..$135.+/-

3.5" MAF ........$175.+/-


Tech Tips
	*Timing is Everything* Over the years there have been several ideas of what makes power in the Buick Turbo V-6 engine. Some experts say..."low boost with high timing"... while other say... "low timing with high boost"... who is right? That doesn’t really matter! Why? The customer generally can not control ignition timing (unless he/she installs a Translator Plus with an extender chip) and so with a Boost Valve kit ($41.00) or an adjustable wastegate actuator ($75-$99)will adjust the boost up or down according to need. So, low timing with high boost wins. Over the years, through the seasons, and in different areas of the country or state the gasoline octane rating will change and require adjustment in boost and timing level. Boost is easy, with an adjustable wastegate all you need to do is SHORTEN the rod one turn (360° turn) to raise the boost one pound and lengthen the rod one turn to lower the boost one pound. Note: This method is not an exact science, so do not adjust too much at one time. The other method is a Boost Valve kit located in the car or under the hood. Obviously in the car is more user friendly. There are two methods of ding this, but not today. Timing is a little more difficult. You can go the old fashion way and change chips or you could go the thumbwheel route. Both work on the same premise, changing/switching a pre-programmed chip. There is nothing wrong with this method. The thumbwheels advantage is that you can switch chips on the fly. The pre-programmed settings could adjust everything from chip to chip or just certain aspects depending on your custom application of chip(s). The Translator and/or Translator Plus will allow a more detailed tuning standpoint. You can adjust Idle fuel and separately WOT fuel. With the Translator Plus you can also adjust base timing across the board and at WOT, once again separately. The Translator kits are mounted under the hood but could be modified, via wire extensions, to be mounted in the vehicle compartment. These units are reasonably priced as follows. Single chip..........$75-$100 Thumbwheel.......$300.+/- Translator..........$176.+/- Extender chip..$135.+/- 3.5" MAF ........$175.+/- Translator Plus..$279.+/- Extender chip..$135.+/- 3.5" MAF ........$175.+/-