So ive been reading quite a bit about adjusting or setting the timing on my 4 cyl 99 accord vtec. ive read some post that say it can be adjusted and others say the cars comp. takes care of it. so im confused about what is correct.

 

You have a timing belt, and it needs to be calibrated.

From the sounds of it, I don't think you should attempt this yourself.

 

well, you have a 99 which is OBD-2. In simple terms, the timing can be set at baseline time, but not adjusted unless it is tuned.

You would set the timing, with the belt as Muffinman expressed, by aligning the timing marks between the cam gear to cylinder head, and the crank pulley and block (this might be exact for your car, but is usually a good indication to follow). This wills et the engine to TDC. Now, from there the timing is set and you are good to go. Now to adjusting it. In 1996, all cars were made OBD-2 mandatory by the government to cut down on emissions. In doing this, ignition systems were changed from DI (distributor ignition) to EI(electronic ignition). This does not really alter emissions, unless it is a waste spark system, but it allows complete control of the ignition timing, which affects emissions, by the computer of the car. Now on your 99, there should be what looks a distributor, but it is not a true distributor. It cannot be rotated to adjust the timing unlike the OBD-1 cars (most 1995 and before-some car manufacturers did switch to OBD-2 prior to 96). In OBD-1, you would loosen a certain amount of bolts on the distributor and rotate it to advance or retard the timing. Now for performance, you obviously would want to advance it as far as possible, which is usually around 2 degrees before engine knocking occurs. OBD-2 electronically advances the engine for you depending on engine speed, engine load, and engine temperature. If you tune the car though, with some sort of ECU chip or program or what have you, you can change the timing to your liking. But make sure the timing is initially at baseline first.