It depends on the set up; for a high compression motor running pump gas, it could be aggressive. For a bunch of boost it could be aggressive. For a stock HO it would probably be a bit conservative. I'd guess most of the common h/c/i modded motors would like something around 32-34 degrees total for best power - just a guess though. My chip (like yours) we've got set for 16 initial, 32 total all in by about 2800 rpm. Stock compression (around 9:1) and aluminum heads. The car has never pinged/detonated. I've run it a bit at 18 initial/34 total - can't tell any difference so I put it back.