XF-How to advance timing on electronic dissy

[fordmuscle83]

Ive just been reading up on the EST system fitted to my car, xf falcon carby 85', and wonder if anyone has a thorough understanding of this system. From what i have read aircon, cold start etc advance the timing. Initial advance mode increases it by 4 degrees and can be duplicated by bridging pin number 4 of the system control with battery voltage.

COuld a switch be made to duplicate this and 'turned on' at anytime?

Also, would 4 degrees make much difference in hp and could you go higher and use 98ron fuel.

Pete

 

[Anonymous]

Pete,
Hullo there.
Your theory is good but the wrong way around.
Those EST systems run as much advance as possible all the time.
That is why the MAP sensor is fitted to give the computor an idea of throttle position and bring the timing back to below the point of uncontrolled combustion(pinging).
Yes the terminals are bridged at the right front shock tower to check the timing. but this brings back the timing to the base position.
Once the bridge is removed the timing increases to the computor set position, i.e. advanced.
Your best bet would be to remove the computor controlled system and back fit the XE distributor. Recurved to your requirements.
Noel.

 

[fordmuscle83]

I get ya. It all comes together now except for one aspect, no knock sensor. So running optimax wont make any difference compared to 92 RON?

 

[Anonymous]

Youre right,
without a knock sensor, running any optimax would be of no benefit.
If your engine is not pinging on 92RON.
Then leave it as is.
Noel.

 

[wagon]

Fit EFI! XF UNLEADED efi has a knock sensor and is (to my humble self anyway) bolt on balls after driving the old dog with that miserable little weber. I have an XE with auto + stock efi and the car will beat current V6 dunnydoors (even with the wife and kids and a full tank of juice). The biggest mods I have done is a good exhaust + head and I run premium unleaded (runs like crap otherwise) - it also handles 16 degrees of base advance without suffering from death rattles. If your motor is good (definitely NO vacuum leaks) a wrecker special efi setup should be able to be had for about $300 - there are plenty of dead fairlanes/efi falcons at wreckers near me (or buy a whole car cheap).

 

[George]

Are you sure EFI XF's had a knock sensor???
I have never seen one on the 4.1's - what does it look like?

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Only the auto XFs were fitted with the knock sensor..

 

[MADXF]

From my knowledge all XF EFI's after the ULP update had a knock sensor. Being auto or manual shouldnt matter whether or not it has a knock sensor, but I could be wrong.

 

[Anonymous]

I recall reading in the XF workshop book in the ULP addenum, that the auto EFI XFs were fitted with the knock sensor.. It could be me thats wrong too.. anyone got quick access to the book and can confirm/dispell? It was the gregory's manual I was reading..

 

[addo]

As the sensor is probably screwed into the block (requiring a casting pattern mod), it possibly was that the modded blocks came into the automatic line first, and the manuals thereafter.

 

[Anonymous]

As the sensor is probably screwed into the block (requiring a casting pattern mod), it possibly was that the modded blocks came into the automatic line first, and the manuals thereafter.

not qutie addo, all ulp efi motors have the knock sensor fitted, it is screwed onto the front r/h head bolt (on top of the engine earth). The block is exactly the same but pistons and head is different. Also, don't bother trying to fit the knock sensor to pre-86 efi because the loom and computer are wired differently- the knock sensor pin is used for something else, I can't remember exactly what. Having said that, the ulp system is the one to go for, as it actually puts out more power the the early system! Hope this clears it up a bit.

 

[fordmuscle83]

My car was once leaded and the compression is higher than the ULP XF and leaded RON was higher than 92 so i expected PULP to be a better power maker than regular in MY car.

Saying that, the many times ive used regular it hasnt pinged but ompimax 'feels' like it makes a difference and idels better too.

Pete