timing

[kbrock1]

I just have a question that has been bothering me. How does timing affect boost. The other day I finally had my ignition timing check and it was 3 degrees off. So when we adjusted it to 5 degrees and yes we had the ecu grounded out the car didn't produce as much boost. I have a manual boost controller. If I turn my boost controller up to get back the 3 or 4 psi of boost I lost this should make more power because I am putting more air in the cyclinders right? If I am completely wrong don't blast me to bad

 

[tpi_roc]

Retarded ignition timing produces more flame in the exhaust, when you advance it you get a more complete burn on the combustion stroke and less flame on the turbine, this is potentially where your loss of a psi or two of boost is coming from. Regain that psi, with the timing, and assuming it doesn't result in any knock or other unfavorable conditions it will result in more power than before. Instead of "putting in more air" you're recouping your boost, with an increase in timing, the timing will be the additional power.

 

[kbrock1]

I am confused I have read several threads that say more timing and less boost make more power and I have read some threads that say more boost and less timing makes the most power. Can anyone give me the correct answer or does one way work better for one car and a different for another.

 

[tpi_roc]

There is no difinitive answer on the subject but generally speaking (very generally) air flow does more for you than timing. Ultimately it all comes down to cylinder pressure, the more pressure the more power. More air is more fuel is more combustable, more timing just times the explosion in the period that that combustion is 'trapped' between the valves.