noob question about timing

[deftsound]

ok i have a question about timing. I just bought a diablo tuner today and i was messing around with the live data log and i was watching the spark advance tab. It seemed like it bounced around a lot. When i was at idle it was anywhere from 14-19 and when i was reving on it it would go to close to 30. Is this normal?

Also i want to advance the timing, ive heard 14 degrees is optimal, what do you guys think?

 

[sgarlic]

Yes the timing you saw was normal.

You can adjust timing if you feel the need, but if you plan to advance and keep it there, be sure to fill the tank with premium FIRST. Let your 87 octane tank get down to almost empty, then fill with 93 if you can get it, or 91 if you're west coast enough to not be able to find 93.

Bump it up in increments, then take it for a spirited ride when it's at full operating temperature. Heat itself can cause pinging, so just because you don't ping at WOT when cold doesn't mean you won't when you're at full operating temp. Try 14, if you get no pinging with premium gas, try 16, go for a drive, etc, and keep bumping til you hear pinging. Once you hear pinging, BACK OFF the throttle immediately, then pull over somewhere and bump it back down.