Right now i have my car at 0* but i see guys advance there timing?? what will i gain if i do that and where should i put the timing mark at?

 

Usually a little improvement in throttle response, sometimes an improvement in power and fuel efficiency. However, it can have a negative effect on emissions (primarily NOx), so be sure to set it back before you go in to get it smogged.

Try 6 degrees BTC as a starting point.

 

but how much should i set it at.... thats crazy how you can advance it and get more power out of it. will i feel an improvement?? thanks for the reply

 

sorry i didnt see the bottom part... so 6 degrees is where i should start? is it marked on my timing braket?

 

6* is a good place to start, but I'd just set it to where the engine likes it (where it seems to idle smoothest)

 

The best timing is where you can run WOT and not encounter detonation. Six degrees is stock, on my 5.7 TPI cars, using 92 octane and 8-degrees works best -- no pinging, 20 mpg in town, 26 on the highway. and I noticed an improvement in acceleration.

 

had the timing light on my car and running 89 octane i have the base timing set at 12*, car loves and i love the mileage, 23 mpg mixed highway/city.

 

so you think i should just see where my engine likes it at. probaly at ill have to try 6 and 8... what do you mean by detonation.. like running really cheap gas kinda thing??

 

is your car have a cc hei if so you gonna have to put t in base timing mode so disonect the 4 pin conector and it'll go into base timeing. this is so your comp will not adnavce and retard the timing while the engine is at idle i would set it at about 10. if ping accures retard about 2 deg intervles till goes away

 

For a 305 TBI, 0* is stock. Just so you know, a lot of guys with TBI cars (including me) find that 4* advanced with 87 octane is the sweet spot for these motors with better throttle response and power, but without detonation. The timing tab should go up to at least 8*, but I can't fully remember right now. But, of course, every car is different, so set yours accordingly.

 

I have a question.With 4 degrees advance,can i see an improvement in gas milage as well?

 

Possibly. Stock tune on a tbi car has lots of room for improvement. Dont go overboard with the timing, of course. Try adding it in two degree increments and see what feels the best.

 

Pinging is near impossible to hear on an efi car. If its not real severe, the computer catches it before it becomes audable.

 

Sure it does. Two of my pistons would like to have a word with you over this theory, they fully dissagree. Infact, they feel, like many other racers, that the knock sensor is absoutely useless at WOT because it can't possibly bring the timing back quick enough.

The knock sensor is useful for crusing and say you go up hill and the car pings a little. At WOT, better learn to tune your car.

-- Joe

 

That was more in reference to stock engines, not super hot high CR big cam modified stuff. There I wouldnt trust it...

Ive had three stock engines (3800's, 4.3L) that had audable detonation problems. On one it was due to excessive mechanical noise overhwelming the sensor, and *** knows what else. That engine ran for 60,000 miles like that, constantly detonating. That thing sounded like a diesel in hot weather. Had really good power, though

On the other two it was a blocked egr and excessive carbon build up. Computer just couldnt pull enough timing to stop it. The engines ran like crap, obviously since the timing was constantly being pulled.

On the camaro Ive never heard it detonate unless its performing the forced engine knock test. With the base time set at 20 deg BTDC when I first put the motor in the total timing at high load during the test was around 45-50 degrees, which gave audable pinging.

Its not fool proof, but on a stock engine it can give the computer some measure of control and allow it to stop detonation before it gets out of hand.

 

Why does the car ping going up a hill? Mine does this.

 

another cheap way of knowing if the timing is too advanced is noticed at starting up,if the starter seems to hesitate(engine kickin'back the starter)then your timing is overadvanced.
to the guy that said his car pings while going uphill,that means you are either using cheap fuel or you have to much timing,try retarding the timing a little and check it out,or even better,use premium fuel