Base timing vs. Advance timing

[Fishhawk]

I need some advice on setting my timing for more mid range to top end power. I am running a MSD distrbutor with a 6AL box and Blaster coil. The rest of the need to know mods are in my sig. I think the stock timing is set at 10 but I am not sure where I should advance it for my base timing. I have been told I should think about the advance timing being set at 36* to 38*. Does this sound right? Where do you guys have yours set? Any tips and pointers would be welcome.

 

[NakedRaygun]

Uhm, usually pings after 14. Run 93 octane (no ethanol) and see how high you can actually get. Bring a stethoscope because sometimes it isn't very audible.

 

[cjman15]

Pardon me for sounding dumb... but what EXACTLY does this ping sound like? lol i never heard a motor detonate before...

 

[Mark89coupe]

kinda sounds like a diesel engine

 

[deadlast]

what does advanced timing add?

 

[Michael Yount]

Detonation is often described as a kind of rattle - like marbles rattling around in a tin can.

My car with aluminum heads and stock static compression ratio runs 16-18 degrees initial timing on 87 octane with no detonation.

A good place to start with your carbed combo is around 14-16 initial, with around 34-36 degrees total (so your mechanical/MSD should add about 20 degrees) all in by no higher than 3000 rpm.

You really need to play with timing on the dyno to see how it's helping things. We picked up 6-8 HP at peak moving from about 30 degrees total to 34 degrees total on mine.

 

[Fishhawk]

Update: Just got back from a test run. I set the initial/base timing at 15 with the advanced at 33. No detonation. Going to take it to the track tomorrow night and make a couple passes and pull the plugs. Maybe jet it up a little and bump the timing up to 16. I'll update again after I get back from the track.

 

[Michael Yount]

Try 18 and 36.....

 

[Fishhawk]

Try 18 and 36.....

Eventually I probably will. Baby steps first. I had been thinking all along that I would end up with it at 36 advanced. I really think I will also need to bump my jets up a couple. I'll see how ambitious I am at the track tonight, maybe I'll try it right there..... Nothing like rejetting a carb in the dark.

 

[Stangtamer]

keep in mind when you time you mustang you gotta take out the shunt that is in the wire going to your distributor...that way you won't have to worry about the computer compensating for it...you could probably run 14 degrees base timing but i would stick to 12 degrees then i would go to a performance tuning shop and have them add timing in your computer...i had this done and gained 20 HP for every 4 degrees of timing...since your car is computer controlled, your computer controls the timing all the time...if you get someone to tune it, you could sit at a safe base timing and get some fatty sick timing at higher rpms and really run well...thats my advice...let me know how it goes...

-jeremy

 

[Fishhawk]

keep in mind when you time you mustang you gotta take out the shunt that is in the wire going to your distributor...that way you won't have to worry about the computer compensating for it...you could probably run 14 degrees base timing but i would stick to 12 degrees then i would go to a performance tuning shop and have them add timing in your computer...i had this done and gained 20 HP for every 4 degrees of timing...since your car is computer controlled, your computer controls the timing all the time...if you get someone to tune it, you could sit at a safe base timing and get some fatty sick timing at higher rpms and really run well...thats my advice...let me know how it goes...

-jeremy

Computer? Vats Dis computer you speak of? .... Check out my sig. 650 CFM. No computer on this 85 GT antique. Old school all the way. After I pull the Cats and smog pump I have a date with the dyno. At that point I should really have it dialed in. I just needed a quick answer about timing for an organized street race at the local drag strip tonight.

 

[Stangtamer]

sorry

 

[Fishhawk]

Update #2: Five passes and nothing better then 13.6. The only thing I improved on was MPH. (13.8 @ 101) Bumping the timing up seems to have given me traction problems in first and second. In first gear the motor either bogged off the line or spun the tires, and spun tires in second on every pass. I was running 235/60 BFG DR's starting with tire pressure at 20 psi letting out air down to 15 by the time I ran my last pass. Ultimitely I feel this car should be in the 12's and was kind of expecting to see at least a 13.4 last night, so I'm a little dissapointed. Next up, advanced timing to 36 with more jetting and 275/50 DR's on 15X8 Weld's. Think I will see 12's?

 

[04sleeper]

Think I will see 12's?

It all depends on your driving style. Your MPH of 101 does not indicate 12 second times yet but your combo should get you there. Your MPH should be around 106-108 range depending on weight.
Sounds like you need more time tuning your carb.

Good Luck.

 

[DMAN302]

Your combo is good for near 300HP at the wheels..I think aside from traction issue, you may well be running a little too rich. What was you 60ft time??

 

[90Notch]

Improving MPH means your making more power but you don't see it in your ETs because either your driving or traction is off. Post all info from both runs.

 

[Fishhawk]

I do believe I need to rejet the carb. I don't think I'm running rich. The plugs looked tan.
Here's a couple time slips:
Best et run:
60' - 1.952 ..... Last years best was a couple 1.8's also ran 13.6's in 1/4
330' - 5.645
594' - 8.171
1/8 et - 8.734
1/8 mph - 79.80
1000' - 11.389
1/4 et - 13.633
1/4 mph - 100.66
Highest MPH run: Motor bogged off the line
60' - 2.143
330' - 5.875
594' - 8.402
1/8 et - 8.964
1/8 mph - 79.96
1000' - 11.606
1/4 et - 18.842
1/4 et 101.14
Once again, I spun in second on every pass.