how do I advance the timing? Would it help at all if my engine is basicly stock? Does it hurt anything? How much should i advance it?

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88 iroc 305 tpi
flowmaster
K&N
160 thermostat
ram air

 

If you don't know how to do it, don't try until you learn properly, this simple task can quickly turn into your worst nightmare. Take it to a mechanic and tell him you want it at 10*, although I saw an article on Hot Rod or some other magazine and they recommended 12* optimal. I think I had mine at 14* and it ran strong; now I don't even know what the setting is and it runs like $hit!
Good luck, Rick

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'88 GTA 350
Headers, catback, free mods, Xtreme energy cam, and intake pieces
13.51@104.27, but can run better as it is.

I just put a new 2100-2300 RPM TQ Converter. I hope a 13.20 or better

RAPTOR, the baddest bird on the planet
AIM HIGH!

 

Although backfires sound pretty awesome when timing is too retarded.....it scares the crap out of people! hehe!

 

to change timing all you have to do is twist the distibutor cap. use a timing light , point it at the crank pulley,to check what your timing is.. stock timing is 6*,, i would not go above 8* on a stock engine.
wish i could explain it better

 

Don't you have to do something to disable the extra timing the ECM adds in? Isn't there an underhood sticker that tells what to do? Of course, if your sticker fell off..

 

will it help my throttle responce?

 

To set the timing, disconnect the brown/black wire over by the heater box. Loosen the distributor clamp, start the engine and move the distributor while using the timing light. Stock is 6 degrees. A manual transmission can usually get away with a little more advance than an auto because the auto has more load when it shifts. Some cars can be advanced a lot before detonation, and some can't have anything more than stock(as in my case). If you really want to do it, keep advancing it 2 degrees until you hear it detonate under heavy load, then back off about 2 degrees. Make sure you use premium fuel.

89 Transam GTA, a few bolt ons

 

Chris, i have the same engine, mods in sig,
with the 160 stat for some reason i couldnot acheve closed loop, the BIGGEST difrence in throttle response i got is when removed the egr walls in the plenum, and ported the plenum and runners (didnot pull the manifold so i couldnot do it) nexto that was the msd 6a and the accell coil.
id leave the timing @ 6 or 8 for now.
there is a lt brown wire with a black stripe on the passenger side against the firewall
sticking out of th ewiring harness, it has a weatherproof plug. disconnect it and the timing will drop to the base setting (computer nolonger ajust)
start the car and set it to your preferd setting by loosining th ebold on the cap's munt by the manifold. twist the cap slightly and see your results with a timing gun. if you went below 6 or way past turn it the otherway (while engine running)when you reach your point shut the engine. tighten that bolt and recheck if the timing moved when you were tighting the bolt, do it agian.

now a good throttle resp inprovement would be the accell supercoil or the msd coil made for our cars. aswell as a set of msd wires and good plugs. that will give you a nice improvement. check the tech articles on this site youl find sme good stuff

-Stell

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1988 IROC 305TPI MINT!!
Mods= Accell SuperCoil, MSD 6A, Ported Plenum, No MAF Screans , K & N, 160 Thermostat+ Temp Switch, Relocated MAT, Cold Air

 

More than 8d, can lead to a hot restart problem. Advance just a tad too much and the Knock Senosr will pull the extra timing out PLUS a few degrees.
To change the timing curve takes burning a new chip.

Running a 160 thermostat is well not the best ting to do.
It gives you a little extra fuel and timing, but generally too much for steady cruise (even though the O2 leans things to normal remember the 14.7 is an average, to the rich needs to be compensated with a leaner lean which is not good.
An EFI motor (and most in general) seem faster when too rich, and with too much timing for optimum performance