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

highest base timing?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 86turbo
  • Start date Start date Sep 11, 2009

86turbo

Member
Apr 8, 2006
183
0
17
Sep 11, 2009
#1
  • Sep 11, 2009
  • #1
Hey guys just wondering who all is running fairly high base timing with h/c/i and pump gas? I have my timing set at 17 degrees (spout out) and dont hear any pinging with midgrade gas. I did notice my cold start is better with more timing also, i;m thinking about bumping it up to 20...

Drew
 

NIKwoaC

中國製造
15 Year Member
Oct 31, 2006
5,525
943
214
Chengdu Province
Sep 11, 2009
#2
  • Sep 11, 2009
  • #2
When you really start to push ignition timing up high, you can actually start to lose power before you start to notice detonation. From what I've seen, 16-18 seems to be the highest most people go; my car is only at 14 IIRC. You can never really know without a dyno session what the best timing for your car is.
 

faststang90

10 Year Member
Nov 5, 2007
522
16
49
baytown texas
Sep 11, 2009
#3
  • Sep 11, 2009
  • #3
18 is high my old car ran the best at 16 et wise.
 

86turbo

Member
Apr 8, 2006
183
0
17
Sep 11, 2009
#4
  • Sep 11, 2009
  • #4
There are a lot if variables that will affect how much timing you can run. I know, for a fact that my balancer is reading correctly and hasnt slipped.

How about the timing pointer, how do you guys know how accurate those are? Hell, it wouldn't take much to be off a few degrees

Something I noticed between my two cars is one of them seems to advance the timing more when the spout is reconnected. My coupe only advances it about 5 degrees which @ 14 base is still under 20 degrees at 800rpm.

Off the top of your heads how much does your spot advance it at idle?

thanks,

Drew
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,269
17,957
224
Massachusetts
Sep 11, 2009
#5
  • Sep 11, 2009
  • #5
altitude also plays a role...as well as amount of carbon deposits on cylinder heads and valves.

No two cars will be the same when it comes to timing
 

Darkwriter77

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
5 Year Member
Jul 1, 2005
314
281
134
Apache Junction, AZ
Sep 11, 2009
#6
  • Sep 11, 2009
  • #6
Both of my 5.0's hate anything over 12* for some reason. I'm guessing it's the triple-digit heat out here.
 

25thmustang

Mustang Master
Sep 5, 2003
2,021
85
99
Montgomery, NY
Sep 11, 2009
#7
  • Sep 11, 2009
  • #7
I have tried anything from 10-20... Run 16 now I think?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Fox '87 GT can't get to stay running
  • spilly
  • Mar 29, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
27
Views
852
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
spilly
S
Timing not advancing/retarding
  • PonyGTrider
  • Aug 16, 2024
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
860
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Aug 23, 2024
Noobz347
8
Engine Rough idle and aggressive sputtering when accelerating
  • 88vertible
  • Aug 13, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 13, 2025
Jarhead67
J
B
'03 GT Fuel Pump/Pressure/Delivery Issue
  • Brodach
  • Oct 21, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
938
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
gkomo
Electrical Ecc overiding base timing?
  • Dontknowchit
  • Mar 18, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 24, 2024
TwoRockTwo
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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?