Will I need to advance the timing with my new cam, right now, its set at about 6* BTDC.

------------------
1987 Chevy Camaro IROC-Z
L98 TPI 350 (5.7L)
TH 700R-4 Transmission with 2.77:1 Rear End

Current Mods: Edelbrock TES 1 5/8" Headers, Hooker 3" Aerochamber Cat-Back System, Performance Resource Chip with 160* Thermostat, Accel Ignition Components, K&N Filters, All Free Mods, Falken ZIEX Z-Rated Tires.

Best ET : 14.32 @ 97.7mph
(corrected for elevation)

Soon to come: LT4 HOT Cam, Air Flow Research 190cc Heads, 2800 RPM Stall Converter and SLP 3.70 Rear End Gears.

 

Are you asking about cam timing or ignition timing?

If it's cam timing, I always start by degreeing in the cam according the cam card specs. Then if I'm not happy I move the cam by either advancing it or retarding it depending on what I feel it needs. I usually move a minumum of 4 degrees; moving it less than makes it hard to tell any difference.

If it's ignition timing you're asking about, that's going to be a trial and error thing. 6 degrees is a good starting point and was chosen by GM because it gave the best overall performance with the stock setup.

Once you begin to modify the engine, though, you'll have to tune it to get the absolute best performance and moving the ignition timing is part of that tuning process.

Best way to play with timing is to use MPH figures at a 1/4 mile track. Bump the timing two degrees at a time looking for the highest MPH. Once your MPH drops, move the timing back to where you got the highest MPH.

There are a lot of factors that go into optimum ignition timing: air temp, engine temp, air/fuel ratio, altitude, humidity, manifold air temp, gasoline quality, etc.

A setting that feels great in cool air will probably be too high on very hot days, etc.

You've just got to try different settings until you get the best overall performance.

I believe most guys run either 8 or 10 degrees of advance. I'm running 10.

Hope this helps.

Jake

------------------
1986 Corvette Coupe, 415 CID, Edelbrock 6073s, ZZ9

 

Thanks a lot man, I meant ignition timing, but I forgot about the cam timing, so thanks for that help to!

------------------
1987 Chevy Camaro IROC-Z
L98 TPI 350 (5.7L)
TH 700R-4 Transmission with 2.77:1 Rear End

Current Mods: Edelbrock TES 1 5/8" Headers, Hooker 3" Aerochamber Cat-Back System, Performance Resource Chip with 160* Thermostat, Accel Ignition Components, K&N Filters, All Free Mods, Falken ZIEX Z-Rated Tires.

Best ET : 14.32 @ 97.7mph
(corrected for elevation)

Soon to come: LT4 HOT Cam, Air Flow Research 190cc Heads, 2800 RPM Stall Converter and SLP 3.70 Rear End Gears.