Anyone running locked timing?

[Diz]

I'm just getting my '90 AWD car set up for the track. I was wondering if anybody locks the ignition timing (as when adjusting the timing), then advances it mechanically to the desired setting. I ran a Turbo T-Bird like this with the timing set to 25-degrees. Advantages? You know exactly what the timing is doing. Obviously you have to be sure that the motor is not knocking or otherwise going to destroy itself. This would definitely not be the hot setup for a street-driven car.

Any comments or experiences? Suggestions for a timing setting?

 

[kpt4321]

Why do this?

The stock timing will advance to 20 degrees or so at WOT, if you want 5 more degrees than add 5 degrees to the base setting. In needs to be able to control the timing for the car to run properly at idle and cruising, and on boost onset.

 

[Diz]

The point is that you really don't know what the timing is doing. "Twenty degrees or so" is, in my very humble opinion, not enough advance under ideal conditions. The T-Bird always idled and ran fine with the timing locked. I'm certain that Mitsubishi set these things up very conservative.

I know that they put out more power with 30-degrees of advance. I also know that they don't last very long at that setting.

I'm not saying locked timing is a better way, I'm just asking if anyone has tried it. I was wondering if the motor knocked slightly every now and then under full boost would the ECU over-react with retarding the timing an excessive amount? The locked timing would hold the timing steady during epiodes of light non-harmful detonation...

Drag strip use only, of course. Just thinking out loud.

 

[kpt4321]

If you use a logger, which you need if you're going to tuen with or without the timing being locked, then you know exactly what the timing is. If you feel as though you need a few more degrees, then you can advance the base setting, which still gives the ECU control.

You won't want 30 degrees of advance, you're looking for more like 25.

I wouldn't worry about excessive retard during detonation.. if you're knocking, then something is wrong, and it needs to be fixed.

 

[3literpwr]

On my logger this weekend I was getting 27deg advance at wot
on 94oct fuel with 16psi on my evo big 16..............

Larry
#622 scca club rally

 

[Aaron91RS]

You gotta remember your t-bird unless it was a turbocoupe was N/A and was less prone to detonation.
On my camaro I run 25 degrees advance at idle and bring in 38 degrees by 3200RPM's and still spray it, but I don't think a dsm would be to happy with that.
So I guess you could do it but you can just reprogram the PROM to do whatever timing you want and still enjoy the benefits of a knock sensor.
I guess I jsut don't see the point to do it manually

 

[nine5raptor]

Originally posted by Aaron91RS
On my camaro I run 25 degrees advance at idle and bring in 38 degrees by 3200RPM's and still spray it, but I don't think a dsm would be to happy with that.

Hehe, likewise my buddy with a 95 Cobra starts his timing around 25 and is over 60 by redline. I think he's nuts, but he says he isn't knocking.

 

[Diz]

I was just curious. I do have a logger so I'll keep track of the advance. Thanks anyway!