Correctly adjusting the ignition timing on your Nissan 300ZX twin turbo is one way to get the most out of your sports car. The ignition timing of your engine determines when a spark will occur to start the engine. The ignition timing for the 1995 Nissan 300ZX twin turbo is 15 degrees, but the ignition timing may be different for your Nissan 300ZX twin turbo depending on what model year you own. You can adjust the ignition timing with a few tools and mechanical skills.
Park your 300ZX on a flat surface. Keep the engine running, but shut off all accessories and equipment that may be on in your car, including the radio and air conditioning/heat.
Exit your car and place wooden or metal wheel chocks under the front and back of your two front tires. Enter your vehicle, put the transmission in neutral and engage the emergency brake. Step on the gas to bring the engine to an idle speed of 750 rpm. This will warm up the engine so that it can indicate the correct ignition timing when you check it in Step 5.
Exit your 300ZX, allowing the rpm level to go back to zero. Open the hood to work on your engine. Turn on the fast or warm idle speed option located on the engine control module to keep the engine warm. It should be located on the engine.
Connect the timing light to the battery by placing the red clip on the positive terminal first and the black clip on the negative terminal second. Attach the timing light clamps to the No. 1 spark plug wire. The No. 1 spark plug wire will be labeled as No. 1 on the end of it. Shine the timing light on the pulley connected to the engine's crankshaft.
Check where the timing mark on the pulley falls compared with the degree tab on the front of the engine and you will be able to see what the current ignition time is.
Find the distributor lock-down bolt at the base of the distributor housing and use a wrench to loosen it. Disconnect the distributor vacuum hose from the distributor housing and plug it into the engine's electronic spark computer. Use jumper cables to ground the carburetor switch by placing the red clamp of the jumper cable on the switch and the black clamp on the ground.
Use your hand to rotate the distributor until the timing mark on the pulley lines up with the degree tab on the front of the engine to create an ignition time of 15 degrees.
Unplug the distributor vacuum hose from the electronic spark computer and connect it into the distributor housing. Tighten the lock-down bolt with your wrench and remove the jumper cables from the carburetor switch. Remove the timing light components from the engine, close the hood of your car and remove the wheel chocks.
