Should I bump my timing??

[86StangGT]

I've been running my stang with 12 degrees of timing and always use premium gas. I was wondering if it would be better to bump it a little highter, to like 14. Has anybody ran their mustangs at 14 degrees??

[5cu11y]

What have you gained with 12°?

[86StangGT]

Well I felt a little power increase but I haven't dyno'ed or track tested it yet. I might just bump it up and see how it runs. I doubt 2 degrees will make much of a difference though.

[Mr 5 0]

Try it. 2 degrees can make a difference and with premium gas it shouldn't cause detonation.

[Coupe5oh]

Yea try it anyway, put it to 14, now i have a question? mine too is at 12, but i have an ads chip, should i bump mine? i want more power on the strip, and will run premium, i guess i could try it, but will it work right with the chip?

[5cu11y]

Hey 86- Advancing your timing really isn't a good way to try and make your car faster as it is. Maybe try a ring and pinion set, or play with some new exhaust.

You will be much smarter, satisfied and surprised at what is to be had with improving the fundamentals.

Good luck either way bro.

[fiveohpatrol]

advancing the timing IS one of the fundamentals 5cu11y (as well as the other things you listed)
the key is to get the timing at the optimal point, it could be at 12, but it also may be at 14 or 16, you can't know until you try it

Coupe5oh, unless that chip is dyno-tuned, which im guessing its not, then I'd sell it to someone who thinks that it might actually help them, then advance your timing the old fashion way

[5cu11y]

Yea patrol, but what is the "optimal point"? You cannot quantify in a driveway with a pair of ramps and a timing light.

What is the proper unit for "Seat of the pants" difference? Hell, even I think my truck runs better after a wash and a full tank.

Of course timing is fundamental, but we are talking about driveway adjustment here. Spark/fuel maps are done on dynos, not driveways. This is almost like the cop on another board who seriously thought the police cars should get "flows" and "home made cold air kits" to round out their oversized swaybars.

[Mr 5 0]

5cully;

Let's try to stay grounded in reality.

Of course a dyno and sophisticated analysis equipment are the preferred method of tuning but we're not a group of sponsored race car builders.

Many of our members are learning mechanics on their first car or first performance car and things like simple timing adjustments in the family garage is all they have.

Our members - some of them professional mechanics and racers - attempt to provide advice and suggestions for getting the most out of a Mustang but we don't assume that every question is posed by some semi-pro racer with instant access to a dyno and $50,000. worth of tools and equipment.

Bumping the timing on a near-stock Mustang 5.0 will help get a slightly quicker response from the engine and make the car more fun to drive. Within limits, shadetree mechanic 'tricks' such as this have been performed for years and years.

For a young guy with little money and only basic mechanical knowledge, a 1/10 reduction in et or a few more HP from some simply modification is all he wants. Maybe some day a pro-built bored-out, blown and dyno'ed engine might be in his future...maybe not. Right now, he's doing the best he can with what he has, and we try to help.

Let's cut some slack here, O.K.?

[fiveohpatrol]

I think the unit for seat-of-the-pants is actually the derivative of "I Think it feels faster" with respect to time so that means its Thinks/second or (T/s)

[5000cc]

anybody thinking of " G-tech "

[fiveohpatrol]

Well the difference the timing change would make would be offset by the error in the G-tech, You'll never get consistent times with the G-tech because of road conditions and such (i know, i own one)

also, not to burst your bubble, but the 302 is not 5000cc's its actually real close to 4950cc's , using 301.59 cubinc inches which is the displacement of a 4" bore & 3"stroke motor its 4942cc's

hey, i was bored

[Mr 5 0]

Obviously.

[5cu11y]

Mr 5 0, I understand. I was aiming to encourage 86 to look into what the timing change is. It is a nice thing for people to have this board as a resource. I know everyone probably benefits.

Patrol, I apologize. From the standpoint of your response, I thought you were telling me about optimal timing. Mr 5 0 is right we must cut slack and keep this fun like it is supposed to be. I just have to figure out the difference between encouraging beginners, and misleading beginners.

[Mr 5 0]

5cully:

O.K. Glad we're all on the same page.