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ChipWrecked Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2012 Posts: 89 Location: SE PA
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 2:34 pm Post subject: Question about 123Ignition Curve/Map settings |
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Hi Folks,
If anyone here is using the 123Ignition...
In my 71' Westy with a 1776, I installed a 123ignition system TUNE+-4-R-V-V with Bluetooth found here: https://123ignition.com/product/tuneplus-4-r-v-v/
Using the original curve diagram...
I created the following map:
It runs (haven't driven yet) pretty well with only hesitation at idle (900 RPM).
Please note that the 123Ignition uses crankshaft values as opposed to centrifugal values (hence doubled).
Since this is now a single vacuum advance (and compensating for a retard in the MAP curve). Do you think I should static time to 5deg ATDC (as the original 211-905-205Q) or more like a SVA (0deg or 7.5 BTDC)? _________________ "You're too retarded for a retard." Amskeptic |
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SGKent  Samba Member

Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 42423 Location: at the beach
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 2:58 pm Post subject: Re: Question about 123Ignition Curve/Map settings |
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From old volks. See bottom line. The retard was a smog thing. It relied on non-ported vacuum being overcome by ported vacuum off idle in 34-pict3 carb.
Bus & Pickup 1971 * 1600
Distributor: VW 211-905-205Q, Bosch 0231 167 055 or 211-905-205S, 0231 180 001 > 043-905-205D, 0231 176 033
Can Use: VW 043-905-205D, Bosch 0231 176 033, 113-905-205AH, 0231 167 053
Points: 01 011
Points Replacement Plate Assy: VW 311-905-227A, Bosch 1237 110 064
Condensor: 02 054
Rotor: 04 033
Note: 205S/001 Distributors originally equipped with 04 021 Speed Limiting Rotor (4500rpm)
Dust Cover: 039-905-241, Bosch 1230 500 139 > 1230 500 147
Cap: 03 010
Distributor Cap Clip: 034-905-265, Bosch 1231 251 033
Parts Kit (Shims, Washers & Hardware): 059-998-211, Bosch 1237 010 007
Coil: 00 015 (Blue Coil: 00 012)
Vacuum Can: 07 092
Ignition Wires: 09 001
Spark Plug: W8AC
Timing Set At:: 5deg ATDC @ 800-950rpm w/strobe, vacuum hose(s) connected
Advance/Retard Range: Vacuum: 2-5deg Adv, 11-13deg Ret; Centrifugal: 12-16deg @ 2200rpm, 22-25deg @ 3800rpm _________________ "Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin |
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nemobuscaptain Samba Member

Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 3874
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blue72beetle Samba Member

Joined: April 23, 2008 Posts: 893 Location: Fort Wayne, IN
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 6:05 pm Post subject: Re: Question about 123Ignition Curve/Map settings |
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Keep in mind on those original curve diagrams....
The degrees on the left are distributor degrees, double for crank degrees.
The rpms on the bottom are distributor rpms, double for engine rpm. _________________ -Andy-
-1970 Ghia-
-1971 Bus 1776 Microsquirt EFI- |
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heimlich  VWNOS.com

Joined: November 20, 2016 Posts: 7470 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 6:14 pm Post subject: Re: Question about 123Ignition Curve/Map settings |
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Isn't that the most expensive one that allows you to program the curve into your unit? If so that's what you need to do and you will get the exact curve you program.
The curve you posted has three parts. One part is the mechanical advance. The other two parts are the vacuum advance (one for retard and one for advance). _________________ www.vwnos.com [email protected]
Classic Brands. Classic Quality.
Not all parts are made the same. NOS OE/OEM parts made mainly in West Germany, Early Germany, and Early Brazil are where VW produced the best quality parts and best fitting products.
5% Off your order with coupon code: 5%OFF
Restored Distributors Available (<--Click here) |
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airschooled Air-Schooled

Joined: April 04, 2012 Posts: 13474 Location: West Coast, USA
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2022 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: Question about 123Ignition Curve/Map settings |
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If you are setting the max mechanical advance at 25*, the idle timing should be 5* BTDC to avoid going over 30* total mechanical. If you’re not subject to emissions testing, you can even keep the mechanical limit at 30* and bump the idle/baseline timing to 10* for better throttle response.
I personally set all the sub-1,000rpm values to 7-10* and max to 30*. That way you don’t have to do any mental math.
Vacuum curves are a different animal, and are often engine-dependent. Your vacuum curve looks too steep, though in the ballpark as far as raw numbers go.
Robbie _________________ One-on-one tech help for your vintage Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com
https://www.patreon.com/airschooled |
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SGKent  Samba Member

Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 42423 Location: at the beach
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2022 5:28 pm Post subject: Re: Question about 123Ignition Curve/Map settings |
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the factory distributor thinks like this.
I would like to be around 7 1/2 degrees BTDC at idle, maybe 8.
When I am at idle, because of this stupid retard can I am maybe 7 1/2 to 8 degrees minus 11 - 13 which makes me spark at about 5 ATDC. But as soon as someone steps on the gas that stupid retard can leaves me alone and my spark is around 7 1/2 to 8 BTDC degrees.
When someone does step on the gas to where my engine RPM gets up to about 1050 - 1100 RPM then my centrifugal timing advances an additional 22 - 25 degrees by 3800 RPM so 7 1/2 - 8 plus 22 - 25 is about 30 to 32.5 degrees or so.
My vacuum can does its own thing based on how much vacuum the engine is pulling. It usually only adds more advance when I am in lite cruise mode and not on the throttle very heavy.
To get the proper advance, ignore the 5 retard. Set the initial timing at idle to 7 1/2 to 8 BTDC and the advance to 22 - 22 1/2 max at 3800 RPM. That will give you about 30 degrees max advance. 2 less than VW designed but the heads will be cooler with the crappy fuels we have now. _________________ "Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin
Last edited by SGKent on Sat Aug 20, 2022 4:43 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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ChipWrecked Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2012 Posts: 89 Location: SE PA
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Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2022 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: Question about 123Ignition Curve/Map settings |
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Thank you all for the responses and the thoughtful comments.
I took the bus out for a 50 mile ride today. It was timed using the stock 5* ATDC. Throttle response at idle to go was "okay" but the rest of the RPMs were very smooth, no pinging, very responsive.
blue72beetle wrote: |
Keep in mind on those original curve diagrams....
The degrees on the left are distributor degrees, double for crank degrees.
The rpms on the bottom are distributor rpms, double for engine rpm. |
Yes, correct... you'll see that the centrifugal values on the curve settings were doubled to compensate for the needed crankshaft values.
airschooled wrote: |
If you are setting the max mechanical advance at 25*, the idle timing should be 5* BTDC to avoid going over 30* total mechanical. If you’re not subject to emissions testing, you can even keep the mechanical limit at 30* and bump the idle/baseline timing to 10* for better throttle response.
Robbie |
Thank you Robbie, That makes sense, I'll retime to 7.5*BTDC and compare to the previous timing.
SGKent wrote: |
To get the proper advance, ignore the 5 retard. Set the initial timing at idle to 7 1/2 to 8 BTDC and the advance to 22 - 22 1/2 max at 3800 RPM. That will give you about 30 degrees max advance. 2 less than VW designed but the heads will be cooler with the crappy fuels we have now. |
Thank you (and your distributor's thoughts) also, as this illustrates nicely how to approach this. _________________ "You're too retarded for a retard." Amskeptic |
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heimlich  VWNOS.com

Joined: November 20, 2016 Posts: 7470 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2022 3:35 pm Post subject: Re: Question about 123Ignition Curve/Map settings |
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The stock distributor, 211 905 205 Q works likes this:
With the engine at idle and the vacuum lines connected you will need to time the engine at 5ATDC. This is because the retard side of the vacuum retards the advance as shown in the advance curve.
You can also time it at 7.5 degrees with the vacuum hoses disconnected. When you connect the hose it should go to 5 ATDC.
You'll have to figure out how the 123 handles all of this to make sure you set the timing correctly. _________________ www.vwnos.com [email protected]
Classic Brands. Classic Quality.
Not all parts are made the same. NOS OE/OEM parts made mainly in West Germany, Early Germany, and Early Brazil are where VW produced the best quality parts and best fitting products.
5% Off your order with coupon code: 5%OFF
Restored Distributors Available (<--Click here) |
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