sorry for the confusion. to clarify: our cars come with the base timing set at 10*. some people run the base timing up to 10- teens degrees (varies). then the puter advances the timing per tables and mapping. some folks run into pinging issues when they mod too much (ie blower). so rather than burn a chip, they will just set the base timing at ~25*, but leave the spout connector out. this means the puter will not ever change the timing.
16* seemed a little high to me, especially in the heat of summer. but your running 93 octane explains that. sounds good. back it off if you ever hear pinging (like you already know).
the octane is probably allowing you to run so much base timing. higher octane burns slower (it is less volatile), hence being able to advance the spark. if you were to run 87 octane, you could have pinging issues.
as for worrying about timing - here is my take. i dont care what the timing light says - it is just a point of reference when talking to others and for general knowledge. the stang is the first car i ever timed. i would always advance timing until i heard pinging at ANY time, and then back it off a smidge and drive it again. i wanted it to be close to pinging w/o ever pinging. so i do that and then once im happy, i put a light on it just so i know what im running - nice for future settings. but there is no magic number for any one motor - you just have to listen to it and do it by feel (some guys ping at 10*). deposits in the chambers, leanness, lower octane fuel, higher ambient and chamber temps, etc all can affect pinging.
so it sounds like you are on the right track. just keep an ear out for pinging and you should be alright.
good luck (i dont know the ins and outs of the regulators, so i wont address that). i myself, would go with a Kirban, based on the little i know.
16* seemed a little high to me, especially in the heat of summer. but your running 93 octane explains that. sounds good. back it off if you ever hear pinging (like you already know).
the octane is probably allowing you to run so much base timing. higher octane burns slower (it is less volatile), hence being able to advance the spark. if you were to run 87 octane, you could have pinging issues.
as for worrying about timing - here is my take. i dont care what the timing light says - it is just a point of reference when talking to others and for general knowledge. the stang is the first car i ever timed. i would always advance timing until i heard pinging at ANY time, and then back it off a smidge and drive it again. i wanted it to be close to pinging w/o ever pinging. so i do that and then once im happy, i put a light on it just so i know what im running - nice for future settings. but there is no magic number for any one motor - you just have to listen to it and do it by feel (some guys ping at 10*). deposits in the chambers, leanness, lower octane fuel, higher ambient and chamber temps, etc all can affect pinging.
so it sounds like you are on the right track. just keep an ear out for pinging and you should be alright.
good luck (i dont know the ins and outs of the regulators, so i wont address that). i myself, would go with a Kirban, based on the little i know.
