I had a 94 prelude where you could adjust the timing on the vehicle (right by the throttle body) you would simply loosen two bolts and turn. You just had to make sure there was no pinging in the engine. I then got a 98 Prelude where this little DIY mod was not able to be done. Was wondering if we can on the 04 TL?

 

No you cannot. well I guess thats the wrong answer the timing is all computer controlled so actually yes you could if you had a some type of scanner or computer to access your cars ecu then you possible could adjust your timing. Other than that the car does it for you.

 

The TL, like most CC'd cars today, has its static timing at idle set by the ECM: it is 10 deg BTDC +/- 2 deg.

Spark and fuel maps are integrated, and much more complex and problematic than the "good ol' days". Hacking around is risky unless you knwo what you are doing and have the test gear to see the results of that hacking. The GM small blocks have had dynamic tuning toys (like Hyoertech's) for many years, and now the Ford Mod engines have The Predator. But the small holes in large pistons are demonstrating the validity of the first sentence in this paragraph - many people make the mental leap that if a little timing advance in the mid-RPM range is good, a lot is better. My advice is to use settings that have been proven safe by others before using a dynamic tuning device, and int he case of a "dyno tune", make sure your tuner is solid and stands beside his/her work. In the SVT Cibras, the race for bragging rights has resultred in a lot of piston failures recently - eyes too big for their car's belly. Caveat emptor.

 

Thanks for the background. Thanks for the input!

 

The ECM is always looking for the optimum timing using the knock sensor. It is unlikely you could do better with a stock engine by tweeking the timing trigger or adding and aftermarket "fooler" box.