ignition timing question

[giovanniv]

Ok so when I 1st got my car running right after the motor swap I didn't have a timing light to set the base timing so I did something really stupid and I just played with it till the car ran amazing on a little 13g. Spool was super quick like around 3k rpms and then after that day I took it to go get timed and it turned out I was at -11*. The guy then proceded to fix it and put it at +5* I guess where it should be and now my turbo is laggy as hell. So now my question is, was there anything wrong with having the timing retarded that far? Should I think about retarding it back a bit or advancing it a little? Thanks

 

[audiomaster1990]

iv been screwin with my timing for 3 days straight, and if your cams are timed per the repair manual, theyre not timed right. idk how this works, but ok. so what my mechanic buddy told me is that depending on how your cams are timed sets what your ignitin timing should be.

basically, the repair manual & emissions sticker under the hood call for 5 degrees, but YOUR car may be way different.

take for example, if you want to run a 75hp shot of nitrous, you should retard your timing 2-3 degrees. does that mean its timed wrong? Yes, for stock, but no for the application.

the worst your gonna do is burn up your spark plugs a little faster. just make sure to LISTEN to your motor,and watch your datalogger, and as long as it aint makin no weird noises, ## good.

 

[giovanniv]

So are you saying that I should just retard it to maybe 7* and I shouldn't really worry about anything?

 

[steve]

Ok so when I 1st got my car running right after the motor swap I didn't have a timing light to set the base timing so I did something really stupid and I just played with it till the car ran amazing on a little 13g. Spool was super quick like around 3k rpms and then after that day I took it to go get timed and it turned out I was at -11*. The guy then proceded to fix it and put it at +5* I guess where it should be and now my turbo is laggy as hell. So now my question is, was there anything wrong with having the timing retarded that far? Should I think about retarding it back a bit or advancing it a little? Thanks

I'm interested in how you/he came up with those numbers.
There are no markings on the cover for any ATDC timing and I doubt you were running 11* ATDC before. 5* BTDC is advanced from TDC.

Given how often the harmonic dampener splits into two parts or slips you need to make sure that the timing mark on the pulley matches TDC before using it as a reference.

While your check it, check the rest of the mechanical timing and make sure that the intake cam also is at TDC when the piston is.

 

[giovanniv]

^^ I have a 6 bolt. I think that makes a difference doesn't it?

 

[steve]

^^ I have a 6 bolt. I think that makes a difference doesn't it?

I don't think you would be able to change the timing at all if you still had the 7 bolt since the sensors are fixed. So it was assumed you had a swap.