ThunderMax Timing vs. TPS User Manual

Adjusting Timing for Ping

If you are experiencing “ping” at specific locations (TPS vs RPM), this document explains how

to make timing adjustments to remove that pinging.

The first section explains adjusting the Timing vs TPS @ rpm pages to correct for ping.
A simpler approach follows below that which is used in many cases satisfactorily.
It is up to you on what your needs (and skill) are to choose the timing modification method
which best works for you.

Legend Notes:

The YELLOW points above are where the ignition timing points were before being moved
(Historical last position).
These points are for reference only and have NO impact on timing.

The BLUE (Red if you link and read the map) points above are the ACTUAL map timing points
which will be applied.

HINT: If you make adjustments to timing, SAVE your map to your computer so that you can

later open it to view “what you have done” by examining the YELLOW vs BLUE points.

I save it to a name such as “TimingAdj-1” as an example.

Closed to Light Throttle Region (Gray Area): Creating Smooth Throttle

Transitions

This region will NEVER experience ping. This is the area which is only experienced during
closed or very light throttle conditions, such as revving the engine or applying light throttle
during transition from close throttle perhaps while coasting downhill or around a corner. The

timing in this region should have a “smooth” transition from lower to higher rpms. For
example, if idle (768,1024,128) rpms are all at 18 degrees of timing then a “smooth gradient”

transition should occur as the rpms increase.

An example would be the following values: (Your values may be different, it’s the “pattern of

transition” we like to see)

It is preferred to have all idle rpm timing at the same setting. This helps eliminate “idle hunt”

due to timing changes.

768 @ 18 degrees

1024 @ 18 degrees
1280 @ 18 degrees

Next, it is preferred that the increasing rpm pages have gradually increasing “timing”. This
provides smooth rpm transitions at “Light to NO load”, such as revving the engine on the kick

stand.

1536 @ 22 degrees

1792 @ 25 degrees

2048 @ 30 degrees

2340 @ 32 degrees

2560 @ 34 degrees

and so on…….

You can “test” these values by the following method.

While on the “kick stand” VERY CAREFULLY try to advance the engine RPM 100 rpm at a time
and hold at that rpm. For example 1200,1300,1400 etc… up to 2500 rpm.
If while doing this, you experience the RPM seeming to “hang or stop increasing” even though

you continue to increase the throttle position, then the timing at that rpm, in this REGION
perhaps needs to be advanced.
When properly set, you will be able to “fully control” the RPM as you “slowly and steadily”
advance the throttle.

Tuning this RPM will produce “smooth throttle/rpm transitions” from close throttle to higher
rpms. Such as is experienced when applying slight throttle increases to “coast around a
corner”.

Normal Steady Riding Region (Green Area): Steady Cruise, Level Road.

It would be VERY RARE to experience ping in this region. The engine is under such LIGHT load

that advanced timing simply causes “irregular/jerky” engine operation, maybe even
accompanied by exhaust “popping”.