• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Base timing vs. Advance timing

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fishhawk
  • Start date Start date Jun 16, 2005

Fishhawk

New Member
Jun 10, 2004
281
0
0
Michigan City, Indiana
Jun 16, 2005
#1
  • Jun 16, 2005
  • #1
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

New Member
May 8, 2005
93
0
0
Chicago, Illinois
Jun 16, 2005
#2
  • Jun 16, 2005
  • #2
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

Banned
Apr 15, 2004
1,009
0
0
Fairfield, PA
Jun 16, 2005
#3
  • Jun 16, 2005
  • #3
Pardon me for sounding dumb... but what EXACTLY does this ping sound like? lol i never heard a motor detonate before...
 
M

Mark89coupe

Member
Apr 5, 2005
206
0
16
Jun 16, 2005
#4
  • Jun 16, 2005
  • #4
kinda sounds like a diesel engine
 

deadlast

New Member
Mar 30, 2005
495
0
0
Belmont, MA
Jun 16, 2005
#5
  • Jun 16, 2005
  • #5
what does advanced timing add?
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Jun 16, 2005
#6
  • Jun 16, 2005
  • #6
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

New Member
Jun 10, 2004
281
0
0
Michigan City, Indiana
Jun 16, 2005
#7
  • Jun 16, 2005
  • #7
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

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Jun 17, 2005
#8
  • Jun 17, 2005
  • #8
Try 18 and 36.....
 

Fishhawk

New Member
Jun 10, 2004
281
0
0
Michigan City, Indiana
Jun 17, 2005
#9
  • Jun 17, 2005
  • #9
Michael Yount said:
Try 18 and 36.....
Click to expand...
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.
 
S

Stangtamer

New Member
May 30, 2005
62
0
0
Jun 17, 2005
#10
  • Jun 17, 2005
  • #10
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

New Member
Jun 10, 2004
281
0
0
Michigan City, Indiana
Jun 17, 2005
#11
  • Jun 17, 2005
  • #11
Stangtamer said:
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
Click to expand...
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.
 
S

Stangtamer

New Member
May 30, 2005
62
0
0
Jun 17, 2005
#12
  • Jun 17, 2005
  • #12
sorry
 

Fishhawk

New Member
Jun 10, 2004
281
0
0
Michigan City, Indiana
Jun 18, 2005
#13
  • Jun 18, 2005
  • #13
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

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Jun 18, 2005
#14
  • Jun 18, 2005
  • #14
Fishhawk said:
Think I will see 12's?
Click to expand...
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

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.
Nov 8, 2003
2,120
2
59
windsor, Canada
Jun 18, 2005
#15
  • Jun 18, 2005
  • #15
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??
 
9

90Notch

Founding Member
Jan 31, 2002
1,046
0
0
Westwood, MA & yes it's killing me that I'm no
Jun 18, 2005
#16
  • Jun 18, 2005
  • #16
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

New Member
Jun 10, 2004
281
0
0
Michigan City, Indiana
Jun 18, 2005
#17
  • Jun 18, 2005
  • #17
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Forced Induction Total Timing under boost
  • Dontknowchit
  • Aug 27, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
334
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Aug 28, 2025
Dontknowchit
9
Engine Donor '00 Mountaineer meet '91 Fox
  • 91firecracker
  • May 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
41
Views
931
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 28, 2026
91firecracker
9
Weber Carburetor tuning help
  • SchwarzStock
  • Jul 6, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
96
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jul 19, 2026
SchwarzStock
2
Running very very rich
  • 2esoteric
  • Oct 31, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
356
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
Noobz347
G
Engine Pushrod Length Question
  • germain101
  • Sep 22, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
590
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Sep 25, 2025
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?