Timing Advance

[motoman358]

Hopefully I will be able to finally check my ignition timing this weekend, and I have a question. I know there is power to be had by advancing the timing, and I know that the ammount of advance has many variables such as gas quality, weather, ammount of boost, etc... But as a general rule of thumb what should I be shooting for? I know stock timing is 5*BTDC, how many guys go with a more agressive advance and how agressive do you get? I have a logger so I will be watching it very carefully. The car is basically all stock with a MBC that I hope to dial in (havent put it on yet, another small weekend project) for approx 14-15lbs of boost. Thanks guys.

 

[andymoraitis]

While advancing will make more power, this must be done in the absence of high knock counts which would end up pulling timing. I would try more boost rather than more timing on pump gas since pump is less resistant to detonation than a high octane fuel. Try it at 14-15psi and see how it reacts. If you still see no knock and the IDC's aren't crazy on the logger (above 90%), then you can consider going to 16-17psi. Adding 2psi will certainly make more power than 2 degrees of timing.

Let us know what you find,

Andy