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3.3TT Timing correction only on ign3 and only when using Launch Control (JB4). Any advice?.

Mr. Tech

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Hi guys, I have a log I need some help with. I recently installed a Mishimoto intercooler and HKS plugs. Other mods are the ARK secondary DP, DIY intakes, and the JB4 on Map 1 with "Top Tier" 93 octane from Shell.

After installing the HKS plugs (gapped to .022), I had the best timing logs since I bought the car (zero corrections on any cylinder). Then I tried using launch control and just ign3 had a 5+ degree correction. A few minutes later, I tried a few more non-LC pulls starting at different speeds/gears and there were minimal corrections (0.8, 1.5, etc). On a different day, I tried another LC pull and got the same 5+ degree correction on ign3.

Also, there's a pretty sharp AFR spike between shifts, right before the ign3 correction. Not sure if this has to do with the ign3 issue, but I noticed that I generally only get that spike when using LC.

What are some common causes for just getting corrections on a single cylinder?

I double checked all the gaps on the spark plugs before installing them. The only thing I can think of is that the spark plug in cylinder 3 may not be torqued down enough since I torqued it with a U joint at an odd angle. I'm also wondering if the coil pack could be damaged since I have to nearly bend it in half to remove it without first removing the intake manifold. Side note, cylinder 3 is directly under the intake manifold for anyone unfamiliar with the cylinder positions.

Screenshot_20210609-141430_JB4 Mobile.webp
 

Attachments

Update: I just checked the gap on the plug in cylinder 3 and it was a tight .020, maybe even .0195.

To rule out the coil pack, I swapped the cylinder 3 pack with cylinder 4. If my issue moves to cylinder 4, then I'll just replace the coil pack and be on my way. I also re-torqued down all 6 plugs.

It'll be a few days before I can get some more logs. I'll update this post again with any findings. In the meantime, if anyone else has suggestions for things to check, let me know.
 
Update: Ran a few more logs today and the issues are still on cylinder 3, just not quite as bad. When looking further into this, I realized the gap is supposed to be at least .022 and I saw .02 when I looked at the plug (see previous post). Looks like I need to pull the plug again and regap up to .022 again, maybe even .023.

Anyone know for sure what the spark plug gap is supposed to be for the HKS plugs on a 3.3L Stinger on a JB4 Map 1? I can't find those details now that I'm searching again.
 
______________________________
Well ideally it is .022-.024
 
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
Update: I checked the gap on all 6 plugs and it was a surprisingly wide range of gaps. Everything from about .020 to .026. Either I'm really terrible at double checking gaps with feeler gauges or the HKS plugs have their gap move around in the first few hundred miles of being installed. Let's hope I'm just terrible at gapping ;)

Regardless, I regapped all of them to .023 with the exception of cylinder 4 which is .024, mainly because I'm curious if it will make a difference. And this time I was double checking the feeler gauge labels and testing the next feeler size up to make sure that one didn't fit.

I'll be going for a drive later today. We'll see what the logs show.

Side note, I accidentally pulled one of the coil packs apart when I was trying to remove it. Gave me a good scare until I realized it's supposed to come apart :laugh: Fortunately, the resistor and spring didn't drop into cylinder :thumbup:
 
Let’s see the new log!
 
Sorry guys, no new logs to post tonight. Change of plans led to me not being able to take the car out. I might have time tomorrow, but no guarantees.

If you were looking for the log that shows the issue, it's attached to the first post.
 
We want the new one haha.
 
______________________________
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
Here it is guys. A bunch of logs from different speeds/gears and about 10 degrees higher ambient temperature compared to the previous logs (88 vs 76)

No timing corrections yet. Seems like .023 is a good gap for my mods.

The last two logs are on Map 2. One of them has a 3 degree pullback in timing, but it's a short burst on the pedal. Nothing definitive, I was just having fun at that point ;)

I'll get some more Map 2 logs later, as well as a Map 1 launch control log and see where I'm at. Hopefully I can keep running Map 1 with no issues. Maybe even Map 2 after my Jonny Tig intake comes in.

Current mod list:
DIY intakes (AEM filters on stock tubing)
Mishimoto Intercooler
Ark secondary downpipe
HKS plugs at .023 gap
JB4 Map 1
93 octane

Screenshot_20210619-121918_JB4 Mobile.webp
Screenshot_20210619-121854_JB4 Mobile.webpScreenshot_20210619-121834_JB4 Mobile.webp
 

Attachments

Looks much better.
 
Hi guys, I have a log I need some help with. I recently installed a Mishimoto intercooler and HKS plugs. Other mods are the ARK secondary DP, DIY intakes, and the JB4 on Map 1 with "Top Tier" 93 octane from Shell.

After installing the HKS plugs (gapped to .022), I had the best timing logs since I bought the car (zero corrections on any cylinder). Then I tried using launch control and just ign3 had a 5+ degree correction. A few minutes later, I tried a few more non-LC pulls starting at different speeds/gears and there were minimal corrections (0.8, 1.5, etc). On a different day, I tried another LC pull and got the same 5+ degree correction on ign3.

Also, there's a pretty sharp AFR spike between shifts, right before the ign3 correction. Not sure if this has to do with the ign3 issue, but I noticed that I generally only get that spike when using LC.

What are some common causes for just getting corrections on a single cylinder?

I double checked all the gaps on the spark plugs before installing them. The only thing I can think of is that the spark plug in cylinder 3 may not be torqued down enough since I torqued it with a U joint at an odd angle. I'm also wondering if the coil pack could be damaged since I have to nearly bend it in half to remove it without first removing the intake manifold. Side note, cylinder 3 is directly under the intake manifold for anyone unfamiliar with the cylinder positions.

View attachment 59639
That happened to me. The coil pack was damaged. Cylinder 3 is a pita
 
Here it is guys. A bunch of logs from different speeds/gears and about 10 degrees higher ambient temperature compared to the previous logs (88 vs 76)

No timing corrections yet. Seems like .023 is a good gap for my mods.

The last two logs are on Map 2. One of them has a 3 degree pullback in timing, but it's a short burst on the pedal. Nothing definitive, I was just having fun at that point ;)

I'll get some more Map 2 logs later, as well as a Map 1 launch control log and see where I'm at. Hopefully I can keep running Map 1 with no issues. Maybe even Map 2 after my Jonny Tig intake comes in.

Current mod list:
DIY intakes (AEM filters on stock tubing)
Mishimoto Intercooler
Ark secondary downpipe
HKS plugs at .023 gap
JB4 Map 1
93 octane

View attachment 60028
View attachment 60029View attachment 60030
Did this continue to happen to you? No
Matter what I try ign3 (when launching) will
Always correct.
 
Kia Stinger
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