Okay sorry i'm a noob at timing and stuff but when i advance my timing in my 88 crx si engine should i have my car off or on? or doesn't it matter, would it hurt my car if i have it running while advancing my timing? thanks!

 

im no expert but i think you'd have to have the engine running in order to get a spark so the timing light can have something to go off on. :thinking:

 

I always do it with the engine running.

 

ok thanks, also how far do you guys think i should advance my timing? i have an 88 crx si engine... d16a6.

 

not too much as my guess is you'll just endup 'confusing' the ECU.
Then, my 2nd guess will be that the ECU will compensate to make it what it should be.
Finally, I think that there is more to do on a Electronic controled engine than just move forward the timing.
Isn't that why kids get them 'chips' put in (to control timing AND fuel/air intake etc..)?
You ain't dealing with a simple early 80's GM engine anymore!

 

On my car (98 Civic) to adjust the timing and not have the computer recompensate you have to jumper the plug by the ECU used to download the codes.