Modes of timing retard ?

[ST240]

Brace yourself for the onslaught of questions:

My 20 is running strange. It seems to almost run better when cold which makes me think that it's running too hot (and the ecu is retarding timing?) , although my pos stock temp gauge doesnt say so (upgrade in the near future). Would a test be trying to run it with the temp sensor unplugged both warm and cold and see what the differences are?

At low rpm when warm it seems to almost sputter and lurch when i give it any sort of throttle, then when it comes on to boost she picks up just fine. Could that be knock? Or is it more a symptom of running too rich.

So back to the point of this post. What are all the modes whereby the ECU retards timing? I have: (correct me if im wrong)

1. High temp via coolant temp sensor2. Knock via knock sensors

Once i educate myself a little further i plan to go nistune which ive read doesn't have a method for monitoring knock unlike PFC. What else can be used?

[Sil240]

Have you tried checking for boost leaks?I had similar symptoms with some boost leaks.

Get a timing light and you can check your timing when the car is hot.

You can also check your Temp sensor, make sure that it is good.If you look in the FSM it should give you the specs.

[20DET]

have u run diagnostics on it???

i had a similar problem on myn...it turned out to be 2 melted pistons.a blowen headgasket and a broken valve hahaha...