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» Northern California Ford Owners     » Automotive   » Tech Talk   » How much is too much ignition timing?

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Author Topic: How much is too much ignition timing?
gercolla1
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If the car does'nt ping or detonate or make any other strange noise under load and at full throttle, can it stand to be advanced more, even if just a little? Right now I went from about 14deg. adv. to about 17deg. adv. with a b303 cam that was installed 4deg. ret. It seems to run with a little more oomph and the engine sounds a little "different" as it tachs up. I also noticed a bit of vibration in the shifter too. Am I describing something potentially harmful or is this normal. I would like to leave it alone if it's all good. Sorry for lengthy post. [patriot]

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Posts: 2171 | From: Sampan San Francisco | Registered: Jul 2003  |  :
hidnn.o.s.
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17 [Eek!]

DROP THAT DOWN TO 14 MAX!

i.m.o. atleast...........

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Posts: 15950 | Registered: Apr 2002  |  :
wilit
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When it starts pinging, that's too much.

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"If a man hasn't found something worth dying for, he isn't fit to live." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Posts: 4793 | From: 37.78514° North 122.40100° West | Registered: Oct 2003  |  :
Fostang
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I've ran 14* with 87 octane it pinged only once after I guess some bad/old gas during some hot weather.

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Posts: 3012 | From: Stockton/Danville | Registered: Nov 2003  |  :
Fostang
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forgot to mention that was with stock block and heads.

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Posts: 3012 | From: Stockton/Danville | Registered: Nov 2003  |  :
Blind
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my car pulls hardest with 16~ spout out, no pinging even on 87 octane [Confused] stock 302 top to bottom w/SD

I have it backed down to 10deg right now, and I can notice a significant difference in how it pulls up to my shift point.

[ July 25, 2004, 11:44 PM: Message edited by: blind ]

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Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003  |  :
166 Merlo
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4* initial retard means that it's only at 13* ... right?

... [Confused]

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Posts: 3954 | From: Thebay | Registered: Jul 2002  |  :
Jeff S
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quote:
Originally posted by 87 Saleen:
4* initial retard means that it's only at 13* ... right?

... [Confused]

No. The cam being retarded or advanced has nothing to do with the ignition timing.

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'90 Mustang LX: 8.53 @ 157.92 w/ 1.33 60' on DR's
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Posts: 2121 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Aug 2001  |  :
1fast281
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What is the most timing you can run on 91 gas without pinging? I was thinking 3 or 4 degrees advance at the most?

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Posts: 578 | From: north bay | Registered: Jul 2004  |  :
graylx
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quote:
Originally posted by 1fast281:
What is the most timing you can run on 91 gas without pinging? I was thinking 3 or 4 degrees advance at the most?

Some run 14 degrees with 87 octane and have no issues with pinging. I think 14 is the most that you would want to run anyway on a relatively stock 5.0.

[ July 26, 2004, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: graylx ]

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Posts: 891 | From: Fresno | Registered: Dec 2003  |  :
Jeff S
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quote:
Originally posted by 1fast281:
What is the most timing you can run on 91 gas without pinging? I was thinking 3 or 4 degrees advance at the most?

It really depends on the combo. I've run up to 18* initial on a 306 HCI on 91 octane with no problems.

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'90 Mustang LX: 8.53 @ 157.92 w/ 1.33 60' on DR's
'10 ZR1: FOR SALE
'14 E63 S: RENNtech ECU
'04 Gallardo: UGR TTG

Posts: 2121 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Aug 2001  |  :
Blownhatch
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I run 16 degrees on 91, didnt have any problems
Posts: 427 | From: Protected Witness | Registered: Feb 2001  |  :
9lbpony
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advance it until you either:
a - detonate under a load at WOT
b - stop going any faster as a result of timing

Running more timing then you need will just generate unnecessary heat. Also try not to focus on the actual number for the base timing. Odds are quite good that neither your timing marks or your timing pointer are 100% accurate.

Posts: 111 | Registered: Oct 2003  |  :


 
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