base timing and amp draw question

[FASTSPOOLINGST]

I know when you shoot the base you are suppposed to have all the accessories off on the car and apply the ground and shoot for 5* BTDC. When i do this, i can get a nice smooth shot on the timing mark and set it perfectly.

My question is, since my fans (2-12" slim fans) have so much amp draw and it retards the timing so much, should i shoot the timing with them on since that is how i drive it? The car almost dies when i turn on my fans at idle from the amp draw and it has a choppy idle due to the retard in the timing.

 

[BUCK]

IMO if you are "seeing" 5BTDC you are actually advanced beyond that due to the impossibly bad line of sight - If you "see" & set it at 4BTDC you are much closer to a real 5BTDC IMO & hence you'll idle better & stronger, which will help when the fans cut on - AFTER setting Base Timing correctly per the above you could then "bump up" Base Idle a little (50 - 100 rpm) to help with the Fan cut-on - If I understand you correctly you have BOTH Fans cutting on simultaneously so that is loading your Alt more than a stock setup. I doubt it's idling choppy due to the Retard in Timing - My guess is it's choppy due to the lower idle speed when the Fans cut on due to Alt load & then it retards of course. Typically you can retard one when setting base Idle & it idles smoother as long as Idle is close to spec. Setting it where you see 4 will make it more resistant to losing RPM when fans cut on.

PM me too - I need to get you / fax - whatever - the updated Insurance reciept on the "Stang"- I think the one you have says it expires 6/27.

 

[FASTSPOOLINGST]

No Buck, I did like you said and put it at around 4* that way due to the crappy angle of shooting it w/ the light. I can come by your work to pick up the paperwork for the stang and you can hear the car run. it does great at idle after warmed up, but sucks upon initial start, i've been researching it here and on fullthrottetech's website and it seems it is a common problem with the new 2.01v translator. I haven't had any reply's in their forum about it yet either, so still waiting. I now have a damn tranny leak i gotta fix now too btw.