timing advancement question

[drag0nfan's04GT]

I've looked all over and come to the conclusion that 15 is the avg recommended setting with higher octane pump gas(92-94). I've heard so many varying stories, that I thought that I'd ask a question or two myself.
First, I know that every car is different and that you guys can only suggest things for me to do. Trust me, I appreciate it. I read a couple of posts where people set theirs to 14 and only ran 89 octane, but most go with 15-16 and run 92-94 octane. I started at 14 with 89 octane and didn't notice any pinging, bucking, or SES light. I even ran it on the interstate for about 100+ miles. Is there a RPM range where the pinging/problems occur the most? The few posts that I did read revealed that most see them at higher RPMs, but I didn't notice any. The Butt-meter 2000 did notice the gain in power though.
I'm thinking that I'll be safe at 15 or 16 with the 92-94 octane gas and wondered what you guys suggest. On a side note...I'm in southern Arizona at an elevation of about 4900ft. I know that elevation can have a minimal effect on performance, but I wasn't sure if it would in this case. Other mods include: Steeda UDP, Accufab TB/plenum, Magnaflow catback, and a K&N CAI. Thanks in advance for any recommendations/explanations that you have.

 

['13_ImpactBlue_GT]

Find a reputable tuner in your area and get it tuned professionally.

 

[jstreet0204]

When using a timing adjuster, you are only adjusting base timing, or really tricking the EEC to adjust the base timing which stock is 10 degrees. There are several things that determine total timing. You can run a lot of timing under light load, and when the egr valve is open, so even with your base timing set up so high you may not have a problem until you go WOT.

 

[sgarlic]

Well, most people just keep advancing then testing until they get pinging, then back it off a degree or two. The pinging you experience is usually, like you said, up in the higher RPM's, although I've played with my foxbody timing, and had it pinging just revving it up with the throttle cable while playing with the dizzy. All the vehicles I've ever messed with timing on, I advance 2 degrees, then take it for a WOT run, if no pinging, 2 more degrees, WOT, etc, keep repeating til I hear detonating.. if I'm going WOT and I hear it, I pull right off the side of the road and adjust it.

Since you live here in AZ, you probably also experience ridiulously hot temperatures.. and you have to be careful with that, because really high temeratures and advanced timing can also lead to detonation. If you have nice cool air (oct-feb) instead of that hair dryer effect we get, you may be able to get away with a bit higher.

 

[crazynorwegian]

I normally run 15? on 91 octane, and have only had a problem with knocking once when I went to the track after driving for 2 hours in 102? weather. my car sounded like a old truck going down the track, so I immediately let off. then i put a splash of 110 octane in and the knocking went away. as long as I'm not racing in 100+ degrees, the car runs great

 

[jasonh_86]

I've got mine set right between 15 and 16* and it runs perfectly fine with 93 octane. I'm sure I could even take it to 16 and be fine. So just keep upping it til it pings or detonates, but not too far