[Phantom5oh]

To check your total timing you need to pull the "pill" as if you were going to set it. Then start the car and have someone rev it up in 500 RPM increments, starting at idle up to say 4000. Continually check the timing as they rev the engine. You'll notice that the timing changes, thats good. As the helper revs the engine watch to find the point where the timing stops advancing. Note that timing and RPM. Thats your total timing without computer adjustment.

Just remember that as soon as you put the "pill" back in the timing will go back to where the computer wants it set at for that RPM and load. I have seen people with it set in the high 20's low 30's initial, because they think if a little helps the a lot must be great. Not so. Bumping the timing in a FI car only allows the computer a higher range of adjustment. The computer can only adjust so much. By adjusting the distributor you allow the timing to adjust more at a higher RPM. Which is good under load.

Maybe for fun you might want to try backing it down a few degrees on your next dyno run. Mine likes a lot of total timing, but only about 12 degrees of initial. Its worth a try for free HP.

Steve