Nitrous and timing q's
 

Ok I know that when running nitrous, the timing should be retarded about 2degree's for every 50hp increase, this is what NOS reccomends.

Now is this just to prevent detonation or is there a power increase associated with it? Does the nitrous change the mixture to where it burns faster and will make more power with less timing?

Reason I ask is I finally made it to the track to try the nitrous, and forgot to bring a timing light. So it was set at about 15-16degree's. I heard no pinging at all (verified this before track day) and the plugs look fine after running it with the 100shot.

So will I actually pick up any power by taking some timing out of it? Or is it more of a precautionary thing?

Oh yah, and I'm using autolite 24's gapped at 0.040"

thanks guys

Keep a good eye on your plugs even though you don't hear pinging doesn't mean that it isn't detonating. I would tighten up the gap a little (.032-.035) to be safe. If you any greenish tint on you plugs you motor is going through some abuse. Also check with a magnifying glass for little black or silver specs. This is aluminum off you pistons. They can be really hard to see but dont get scared if you do see some it is very common. Just back up the timing and a little fuel and your problems if you have any will dissapear. Good luck. I have dealt with nitrous many times and these are a few problems and solutions that i have.

I ran 14 degrees initial timing on my old combo with a NX 150 shot and Autolite 23's gapped at .035 (11.70's)

I run 26 total on the new setup (10 base+timing added or sub. through the PMS handheld) with NGK R5671A-9's @ .035 (time in sig)

What was your bottle pressure on the passes you made?

Pulling timing may or may not net you some ET... that's what tuning and finding what your combo likes is all about... test 'n tune and see what you come up with and let us know... ;)

...and do what 87gt recommended as far as reading your plugs... shut the motor off as soon as you cross the 1/4 and coast off to the return road and pull your plugs to see precisely what's going on while under power... is that how you've been reading your plugs?

I dont have a pressure gage yet for the bottle, but the guy that filled my bottle was actually at the track. He felt the temp of the bottle and said he'd be suprised if I had any more than 650-700psi because of the temp.

It was in the mid-low 50's all day

I guess theres a bottle heater and gage on my christmas list now:)

and yes I had been reading my plugs after a run. Well it wasnt at the track, but I simulated an 1/8th mile run on my road, shut it off, then coasted into my garage to check them. They've been fine so far, but I'm not gonna run it again with the timing this high.

Listen to all of the above suggestions, all good information up there.

It's been my experience with NOS & timing, that pulling some timing WILL NOT give you more power, it's a safety thing. The added fuel, and the super cool oxygen enriched atmosphere, burn much faster. Keep in mind we're talking LESS than nano-seconds! Thus the reason for the reduced timing. You don't want peak cylinder pressure before the piston is ready for it.

Good luck, & keep us posted!