I have what would be considered a moderetly modified N/A. (I.E) Intake, Exhaust and Ignition Box.

I am told by advancing my timing by 8-10 degrees I should be seeing more HP output generated.

Is their any truth to this? Also wouldn't you advance your timing If the motor was ported rather than non-ported?

 

I've heard advancing/retarding your timing should be used when a modded engine ONLY if you're noticing pinging even though your air/fuel mixture is good.

On the 1st gens advancing did yield more HP but I've heard that puts more stress on the engine. Isn't the 2nd gens timing controlled by a computer anyway? (unless there's a distributer I missed )

 

I'm not sure, but going one way (advance/retard I forget) would cook rotors on my friend's 1st gen race car if gone too far. Put an EGT in your exhaust, one for each rotor, and watch the temps. Around 1600 is ok supposedly, if it goes over 1700 shut it down.

 

bump

 

Advancing timing on a moderately modded na, or even a near stock NA is a good cheap way to get power. IT must be done within reason though. I would say no more than 20* ever, and more reasonably 10-15*. The timing is controlled by the crank angle sensor, which *acts* just like a distributor as far as adjusting it is concerned.

Clockwise is advancing, CCW is retarding...you'll have to have a good timing light to do this. The car also has to bhe able to hold a good 800 idle, and the timing needs to be verified before starting.

Advancing timing can give more power, but can also make an engine run a bit warmer both in EGT and in coolant temperatures, but usually does not. IF you go off the deep end and go past 20*, or run it on a really hot day, you can detonate an NA, but its pretty hard to do really. Advancing timing can sometimes raise the idle just a bit, but it can be adjusted back down. IT can also cause mileage to go down, but yeilds better throttle response and rev-ability. I have seen once a car with way advanced timing(too far) even be hard to start...during slow cranking the rotor was actually being pushed backwards because the timing was so far advanced.

Use caution, use common sense, and have a little fun. I dont think you'll kill your engine over it, but I wont say it isnt possible to do so either.

 

1850f egts is the normal zone for a ported engine. CJ

 

Are you saying to advance the timing 20* OVER the factory settingt (timing pin)???
I personally think thats SUICIDE! (especially in a high-comp S5 on 89 octane)

I wouldn't go more than 10*.. if you want an easy way to do it- 10* equals almost EXACTLY 1cm of distance on the main pully wheel...
I definatly notice it runs smoother, and stronger with my timing up by 10*...

pp13bnos played with his timing on a dyno, and has said he actually lost top end when timing was overadvanced...

 

WIth car running, idleing right, timing set and lined up properly, I generally go with 15*. This is the distance between the L adn T timing mark ont eh pulley, which is the difference between 5* and 20*, or 15*.

 

hypntyz7/// How long have you left It their since advancing your timing? Since then, have you had to readjust It? Has It given you any problems?

 

I have a turbo II, so I dont have advanced timing to say the least. ON a turbo II, expecially modded, it can cause many peoblems and lead to engine failure like a heartbeat. Advanced timing is an NA thing ONLY.

That said, I dont have any *long* term experience with it, say more than 6 months. I have several friends with 15* advanced timing and no further problems, no further adjustments, etc.