MSD 2910 Atomic EFI Master Kit Installation User Manual
Page 19

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
19
M S D
• W W W . A T O M I C E F I . C O M • ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 5 - 7 1 2 3 • F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
SETTING THE ATOMIC TIMING
Connect the Handheld Control and select Ignition Timing from the
Advanced Menu.
Idle Advance - This is the initial ignition timing from which timing
will advance as the engine climbs in rpm.
Total Advance - This is the total advance in ignition timing the engine
should receive based on rpm.
Note: Total timing must always be a higher number than the
idle timing setting.
Vacuum Advance - The Atomic can add ignition advance based
on manifold vacuum using the built in MAP sensor. Use the
joystick up or down to set amount of timing advance in single
degree increments.
Nitrous: When a nitrous system is activated (by supplying 12
volts on the Violet Power Module wire), the Atomic will retard
the timing up to 20°. Note that in order to alter the timing for
nitrous use, the Nitrous Selection in the Advanced menu MUST
be programmed to ENABLE.
Lock Timing - When this section is selected the ignition timing will
be locked at 15˚BTDC by the computer so that the engine’s
idle timing can be checked with a timing light. If this screen is
not active the idle timing is controlled by the Atomic ECU and
will be continually adjusted.
Boost: On boosted applications, you can set a timing retard based
on boost pressure. Adjustable in 0.1° per pound of boost.
Note: The Atomic has a feature that will retard the timing when coolant
temp and intake air temp reach a certain point. This is designed
to protect the engine from high heat detonation.
Note: Timing cannot be retarded past 5°.
INITIAL START UP AND SETTING THE TIMING
Before starting the engine, have a timing light handy as the first step
will be positioning the distributor.
1. Turn the key On to power the system and go to Advanced Setup
to Ignition Timing and select Lock Timing. This screen allows you
to set the distributor exactly where the Atomic ECU needs it to be
positioned to operate the timing.
2. Start the engine and using the timing light, move the distributor to
15° BTDC. Tighten the hold down clamp.
3. Leave the Lock Timing screen. This will take you back to the
Ignition Timing screen and the Atomic will now be controlling the
ignition timing. It is important to note that you will not see accurate
timing at idle speed when viewing with a timing light. This is due
to ECU calculations. If you rev the engine off idle, the timing will
appear correctly.
4. Once back to the Ignition Timing Screen, you can adjust the total
and idle timing as well as the rpm points that control the rate of
the advance.
5. There is also a vacuum advance option on the handheld. Vacuum
advance is generally a feature that assists in economy. The Atomic
allows you to select a total amount of vacuum advance. This will
take some time to tune to depending on your application. Note
that the vacuum advance reads off ported vacuum so it will not
come in until the throttle is open.
Figure 20 Timing Settings.