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Confused And Quite Upset

  • Thread starter Thread starter NCsProdigy 87GT
  • Start date Start date May 26, 2016

NCsProdigy 87GT

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May 26, 2016
#1
  • May 26, 2016
  • #1
Ok so here it is. I go to an automotive school and my instructor said that all msd ignition equipment is junk unless over 800hp. Also he says that everyone who has opinions on these threads are complete idiots. Also told me that advancing my timing in my 87 GT to 12 ta 14 is stoopid bc it will make my car run like and that we are not suppose to advance our vehicles. This statement made me wanna throat punch his ass.but to be fair, is there any validity to either of these statements? My gt is at 14* BTDC
 

mikestang63

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#2
  • May 26, 2016
  • #2
Answers to your questions grasshopper

I went to Lincoln Tech back in the day- probably before you were born. Most- if not all- instructors are by the book guys who have to tell the newbs and students not to deviate from factory specs. They are training you to be techs and repair cars,not hot rods. You may come across one that will be a gear head and not preach the Kool Aid.

Here's the deal- for most N/A cars- and Fox Bodies- the factory ignition system will support up to 500+ hp and there is no reason to change the distributor, coil, or add an aftermarket ingnition. If you are running a power adder- boost or nitrous, that is a different story and you should get some CD box to control spark and if no tune control timing retard

Timing- nearly every 5.0 in a fox will pick up low end by advancing the timing from 10 to anywhere from 12-16 BTDC. It's simple physics and math. The same as if you advanced the cam on install. Most cars were set from the factory with timing retarded on purpose for emissions- going back to the 50's You need to run premum fuel when advancing timing to offset any detonation.

As far us us being idiots- I can tell you that there are people on this site that know Mustangs as good or better than your instructor. I was an ASE certified wrench turner for Ford. There are many others that are/were ASE mechanics, parts specialists, engineers, fabricators, tuners,and car builders that your instructor couldn't compare to on his best day.

Remember, you are in school. When you get out into the real world, you will learn how the real world does things, not theory.
 
Reactions: skyline247, rstaylor25, A5literMan and 4 others

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
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May 26, 2016
#3
  • May 26, 2016
  • #3
Moved to Talk section
 

Boosted92LX

It's only an inch or two. What's the big deal?
15 Year Member
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May 26, 2016
#4
  • May 26, 2016
  • #4
mikestang63 said:
Answers to your questions grasshopper

I went to Lincoln Tech back in the day- probably before you were born. Most- if not all- instructors are by the book guys who have to tell the newbs and students not to deviate from factory specs. They are training you to be techs and repair cars,not hot rods. You may come across one that will be a gear head and not preach the Kool Aid.

Here's the deal- for most N/A cars- and Fox Bodies- the factory ignition system will support up to 500+ hp and there is no reason to change the distributor, coil, or add an aftermarket ingnition. If you are running a power adder- boost or nitrous, that is a different story and you should get some CD box to control spark and if no tune control timing retard

Timing- nearly every 5.0 in a fox will pick up low end by advancing the timing from 10 to anywhere from 12-16 BTDC. It's simple physics and math. The same as if you advanced the cam on install. Most cars were set from the factory with timing retarded on purpose for emissions- going back to the 50's You need to run premum fuel when advancing timing to offset any detonation.

As far us us being idiots- I can tell you that there are people on this site that know Mustangs as good or better than your instructor. I was an ASE certified wrench turner for Ford. There are many others that are/were ASE mechanics, parts specialists, engineers, fabricators, tuners,and car builders that your instructor couldn't compare to on his best day.

Remember, you are in school. When you get out into the real world, you will learn how the real world does things, not theory.
Click to expand...


Well said Mike.
 
Reactions: A5literMan

jrichker

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May 26, 2016
#5
  • May 26, 2016
  • #5
How much real world experience does you instructor have and where did he get it? How for back does his practical experience go?

Some of us have been fixing cars for a long time - it's been over 51 years for me and 25 years of that have been with 5.0 fox Mustangs. I fix computers for a living now , but my first real job out of high school was fixing cars, mostly foreign cars. That's a great way to learn something that is always useful.
 
Reactions: A5literMan and Davedacarpainter

Davedacarpainter

Chicks can make things hard if they’re inspired...
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#6
  • May 27, 2016
  • #6
Those that can't do.....teach....
 

Black1987

my wife Bedazzled my input shaft
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#7
  • May 27, 2016
  • #7
Sounds like the type to LS a lawnmower, and in my line of work we're encouraged not to tell people they're idiots. Rather go to the dyno or track take a few runs on both 12 and 14 degrees settings and prove them wrong. β€œIn God we trust. All others must bring data.” – W. Edwards Deming

He can say whatever he wants, its his opinion (however opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one), but if you he doesn't have anything to back it up.....well if it was me, I would hand him some X-lax/stool softeners next time and say he's full of crap.

You should tell him you have a B-cam as well

FYI- ASE Mechanic first, Mech/Aero Engineer second for DoD, and worked on the R&D for the GM gas direct injection pump for corvette, Camaro, etc; also Honda's fuel system F1 team......we're all pretty stupid here
 
Reactions: A5literMan, Davedacarpainter, mikestang63 and 1 other person

Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time
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#8
  • May 27, 2016
  • #8
If I did everything "by the book" it would be tough to make a living. The "book" leaves a lot to be desired.
 
Reactions: A5literMan

A5literMan

At least it is lumpy...
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Jul 30, 2011
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May 27, 2016
#9
  • May 27, 2016
  • #9
Mike stated it perfectly. I have no credentials but I do know my fox bodies ALL ran better with advancing the timing(and using proper octane fuel). I've owned a handful over the years going back to 1989. They idled better and just run better overall. Good luck in school!
 

RaggedGT

Been here over a DECADE and still no CT
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#10
  • May 27, 2016
  • #10
I read this on a Facebook group the other day- the advice/info in here is sure a lot better than the mouth breathers on Facebook lol

I have no actual input for the OP- everything already said fits the bill perfectly lol
 
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