Author Topic: Over Advance On Timing? (Read 3420 times)

James Buchan · « **on:** September 08, 2004, 09:15:57 PM »

Anyone heard of this - from the STF

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.ph...7465&highlight=

Cameron · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2004, 08:21:38 AM »

Old news! Racers have been running retarded timing in third and fourth gears for a long time. Look through an old Gene Berg catalog, for Stinger ignition. I think Bergs no longer sell Stinger.
Look at some MSD's products like MSD Digital 7 CLICK HERE. Lots of racers are looking for ignition systems that can retard spark timing at higher rpms.

James Buchan · « **Reply #2 on:** September 09, 2004, 09:45:24 AM »

So would it be a good idea to retard the timing a degree or two on a street car/sometimes strip car? I run a MSD dizzy with 6AL/blaster coil.

Cameron · « **Reply #3 on:** September 09, 2004, 10:52:30 AM »

Quote

So would it be a good idea to retard the timing a degree or two on a street car/sometimes strip car? I run a MSD dizzy with 6AL/blaster coil.

I have no idea. You need to be able to measure the results of any changes you make. That's where a few dollars spent on dyno time pays off. Or a test and tune day at Mission Raceway.
If I remember correctly, the Stinger distributor that Berg used to sell had two pickups, and two flyweights. I'll have to find my old catalog! The distributor would advance up to 5000rpm, and then retard 1 or 2 degrees, for every 1000rpm after that. One pickup was retarded a few degrees. The driver could change pickups with a switch on the shifter, some put the switch at the shift coupler, to use the retarded pickup in third and fourth gears.
Now, everything is done electronically. MSD sells several versions of the Digital 7, where you can program your advance curve, for whatever gear you are in. I'm sure there are other brands of programable ignition out there. Haltech and Motec come to mind. But racers spend lots of time at the track, and dyno, trying to figure out what timing works best for their motor combo.

James Buchan · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2004, 11:17:05 AM »

Cool, thanks for clearing that up Cameron

KOOL-AID MAN · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2004, 07:01:26 PM »

I've noticed on my previous vws that if i retard the timming a lil bit, they are a lil faster, you can barely tell tho. but hey every little bit counts. There might be some backfiring tho. ^_^

James Buchan · « **Reply #6 on:** September 09, 2004, 07:07:36 PM »

Are there ill effects to retarding the timing though? I mean is it going to foul plugs or anything?

KOOL-AID MAN · « **Reply #7 on:** September 09, 2004, 07:12:41 PM »

I dont think the engine runs hotter when the timming is retarded, i think you foul your plugs if the timming is to advanced, but dont quote me, im sure its best for your engine if you keep the timming where it is meant to be. maybe just play with it at the track to see if you can make a better time, on my 65 i just time the motor by ear, or i drive it and see where it runs the best and has the best response. it seems that no matter what my timming is set at it always has some popping at around 2.500-3000 RPMS i think my valve springs are weak, not sure yet :unsure:

jim martin · « **Reply #8 on:** September 12, 2004, 08:16:04 PM »

i don't think the person in the stf link knows what he is talking about.maybe ignition timing in general needs a look into ,so many people set the timing at 32