[wht88cpe]

Been wanting to ask, but was hesitant. Hopefully this won't be the dumbest question of the day/week ..

My Cobra is bone stock still, okay, maybe the radio isn't. From what I read the processor retards timing between up shifts (downshifts?) to preserve the transmission from back then warranty repairs on the 94/95 cars. Are other years programmed this way? Even though I'm easy on the car I just don't like that idea a whole lot that it wants to pull the timing back.

I remember taking a 9 month computer course many years ago. It was Cobol, Fortran, and some other language that I don't recall now. Never put it to use except to make a pong game on my Commodore Vic 20- maybe it was a 64. Anyway, the programs always included instructions like if, and, or, then, ... So what inputs is the processor interpreting to make a decision about the timing?

Now ... Could this retard be "tuned" out by simply cutting a circuit board trace or otherwise fooling the ECU to not know that I've changed gears?

I should add- no added chips or trips to the dyno shop.

 

[wht88cpe]

Thanks fellas. Yes, base timing, spout removed, is at 14 degrees. I've had no detonation issues even experimenting with 89, may have even tried 87 (?). Makes me now wonder if it truly is at 14, so maybe I'll re-time it by ear in the spring. The cost of fuel is immaterial (at the moment) as I only put less than 2500 miles/yr on the car- only in good weather. I don't care what fuel costs. Always drive with engine speed up, never lug it down. Alternate between 91 and 93 at 1/2 tank. At 9:1 worry that 93 isn't compressed enough. Is it?

Still wondering about that if, and, or, then instruction types- if such instructions are still current. No clue on that. Just curious. Definitely won't go the chip route or have someone tune the car, so many horror stories and thousands of $$ spent only to read about the inevitable driveability issues- for guys like me that aren't up on this and now lack the ability to do it themselves. If I could carb it and be legal it would already be done. I grew up with carbs and had no issues- summer or winter. Change the heads and cam, no problem. Dual point centrifugal advance distributor and dual quads? Done. A screwdriver and you were good to go. Wouldn't argue that EFI and processors and associated input sensors aren't better and more efficient, it's just about that co$t when you want to add a little more.

Yeah, the old conservative white guy got off track. Just wanting to cut to the "trace' and keep the shift a secret.

 

[wht88cpe]

What I'm asking to make happen is no doubt wishful thinking based on some computer logic I learned some 38 years ago, and then subsequently forgot. There has to be more than one "input" condition to be present for the processor to decide to retard the timing during (or immediately thereafter?) the shift into another gear. Since an electro-mechanical switch from the clutch isn't in play then what/where are the "if" conditions that cause the processor to "then" make this decision? I'm sure one would be engine vacuum, what might be the others?

Added- And the TPS if you can override the retard by power shifting as I read. Not something I would ever do though.

 

[wht88cpe]

Appreciate the replies fellas. Agreed, definitely don't want to reprogram the ECU, was just wondering what all goes into the timing decision process and whether or not it could be easily defeated. Certainly wouldn't throw more than a few dollars at it. Maybe there a flow chart available somewhere, I have a friend who works for IBM that I've built a few audio amplifiers for, he owes me ...

Gears are out, the 3:08's must stay because the 3;35 first gear ratio is obscene IMO. Should be in the 2:40 territory, makes for a much more pleasant experience. One recent built Fox body I had was with 4:10's, only good for frying the tires off. If you've ever driven a so called "muscle" car with a CR Muncie 2:20 low from back in the day you might agree.

 

[wht88cpe]

Thanks for that input. Yes, the balancer was replaced last year at 63K with a Powerbond. I even posted up a thread about that, with photos, as I was completely shocked at the HUGE difference it made in engine feel.

94 Cobra harmonic balancer R&R= BIG difference

Last week I finally had someone replace the original balancer with the PowerBond PB1084SS purchased a few months ago. All the difference in the world! SO MUCH smoother from 3K RPM and up, see photos for the condition. I was aware these are known to go south and I was noticing some runout in the...

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