• Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech

Timing and spark advance?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sanctus
  • Start date Start date May 20, 2006

Sanctus

Member
May 17, 2005
146
2
19
Trabuco Canyon
May 20, 2006
#1
  • May 20, 2006
  • #1
ok so i have been reading alot of stuff on the forums and i have heard alot about "detonation" and spark timing advance and retardation. So can someone explain in laymens terms what this all means. i understand that different fuel octanes reqire changing the "global spark" but im getting a tuner and i would really like to know what this all means if it is not too hard to explain to a newb like myself



-Sy
 

anthony05gt

Active Member
Mar 18, 2006
1,262
1
37
Maryland
May 20, 2006
#2
  • May 20, 2006
  • #2
Basically, when the engine is at low rpm's like out of the hole, you want the ignition timing to be advanced more. When the engine climbs to higher rpm's, you want the timing to retard. The pcm controls all of this. It can be adjusted through the use of a hand tuner, but should not be attempted by anyone but an experienced tech. If the timing is too far advanced for the fuel you are using or if you have too much air flow compared to the fuel flow, this will cause detonation or pinging. I'm sure you have heard an engine ping. The timing of the ignition spark in relation to where the piston and valves are in their cycle is very important. If it's off, you will either lose power or cause detonation which will burn the pistons. When you purchase a hand tuner, it should be set up with your current mods taken into consideration with the program it comes with. The dealer that sells you the tuner should be able to handle this. Your best bet is to have the car tuned on a dyno after you have completed mods that affect fuel/air flow. You can buy kits that have a variety of bolt on parts and a specific tune ready for the bolt on mods and a tuner that is set up for the kit. Like for example, the kit would come with a CAI, UD pullies, axle back exhaust, 4.10 gears or whatever. The tuner would be set up for all that's in the kit including correcting the speedo do to the gear change.
 
S

ski

Member
Dec 14, 2004
380
2
18
May 21, 2006
#3
  • May 21, 2006
  • #3
Here's an excellent article on detonation(pinging).
Also, timing is always advanced at higher rpm's, and not reduced, as anthony05GT stated.
http://www.streetrodstuff.com/Articles/Engine/Detonation/
 

anthony05gt

Active Member
Mar 18, 2006
1,262
1
37
Maryland
May 26, 2006
#4
  • May 26, 2006
  • #4
No sir, you are wrong. Higher rpm's require the timing to retard, not advance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Who the hell puts the wrong spark plugs in a 3.8L?
  • snowstang
  • Mar 25, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
450
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 3, 2026
LILCBRA
M
Electrical 93 5.0 No Injector Pulse
  • machinermac
  • Jul 26, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
15
Views
257
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Aug 1, 2026
Willybill32
B
No spark. 1990 foxbody 5.0 gt
  • Boogi
  • Nov 16, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
190
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 16, 2025
Boogi
B
C
1997 3.8l v6 timing cover mismatch *eBay guaranteed fit* haha please HELP
  • chasondragons
  • Apr 3, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
117
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Apr 3, 2026
chasondragons
C
L
Engine Why won't the motor start if I have spark and fuel
  • LeviAnderson
  • Nov 20, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
431
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 20, 2025
AeroCoupe
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
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?