Now, I'm slowing trying to completely understand the dynamics of internal combustion engines.. So my questing about the "magic horsepower" is regarding the timing...

First, is it true that making an adjustment to the timing of the spark in regard to the position of the piston can give you a few extra horsepower?

I know I've heard and/or read about it some where, and my searches havn't been able to give me the answers I'm looking for.

So if this IS true than what adjustments would need to be made?

My guess is that you would want to ADVANCE the timing, so that the spark BEGINS just before the piston reaches it's Top Dead Center position, so that way it would have more time to burn at it's highest compression point.. Is that correct? I know that having predetonation (relative to TDC) can cause "knock".

But is my assumption correct? And if so, how do I make the adjustment of the timing to get those few HP (with out doing major damage, or throwing a Knock sensor code)???

I have an FSM and I'm not stupid, so be as presise as you can.

Thanks,
El Jon

 

I sincerely doubt you could get any noticeable gain from adjusting your timing. My recommendation is to set the timing to stock and make sure your ignition system is in good condition.

The FSM should tell you in good enough detail about how to set your timing.

 

As devnull said, its not going to be a noticable differnece in hp

 

Hmm.. Okay. I'll look some more.
Thanks.

 

If I remember correctly. Advancing the timing will give you a little better high end, but a little worse low end. The oposite for retarding the timing. It doesn't make that much difference unless you have adjustable cam gears and a dyno to find the sweet spot.

 

nobody on here can answer this???????LOL.........
ok..... yes you can get "free horsepower" from advancing your timing a few degrees, but it will only be a couple hp at MOST..........the reason for this? the stock timing is a bit conservative, so that the ecu can retard and advance timing on its own, and still be safe from morons putting 87 octane gas into a car requiring 91. so you can add a few degrees of timing and gain a few hp, and be carefull to always run 91 octane in your car. any more questions, email sageskl@hotmail.com.
-peace

 

and dont forget to tighten that throttle cable!