Timing change OK

[wepsbee]

Running at the Glen this weekend had a so so prac/qual. Tied last years fastest time 0f 2:34. Not very good for experienced drivers and only mildly dissappointing for new drivers.
Discussed issue with crew and an idea to change timing came up. I have a 1.8L Mazda engine in a Ford Escort. Changed to 18 deg from 16. Stock is 10. During the race I found some new power and was now shifting into 5th in the back straight. Never did that before. I dropped my fastest time to a 2:28!! Moved up 4 or 5 places. I did try to be more aggressive on the turns but I think the car probably deserves more credit than the driver. Will this change have any negative effects on the engine?

[Andy Bettencourt]

Running at the Glen this weekend had a so so prac/qual. Tied last years fastest time 0f 2:34. Not very good for experienced drivers and only mildly dissappointing for new drivers.
Discussed issue with crew and an idea to change timing came up. I have a 1.8L Mazda engine in a Ford Escort. Changed to 18 deg from 16. Stock is 10. During the race I found some new power and was now shifting into 5th in the back straight. Never did that before. I dropped my fastest time to a 2:28!! Moved up 4 or 5 places. I did try to be more aggressive on the turns but I think the car probably deserves more credit than the driver. Will this change have any negative effects on the engine?

If you want to tune it Dan, bring it to us. Dyno time is great. I have found that even less advance is the sweet spot for power in my car.

No adverse affects, actually, you have brought it into a 'safer' zone.

[wepsbee]

If you want to tune it Dan, bring it to us. Dyno time is great. I have found that even less advance is the sweet spot for power in my car.

No adverse affects, actually, you have brought it into a 'safer' zone.

OK, Tuning on a dyno is on the list for next year.

[joeg]

Dan--With a 2 point change, it is difficult to determine if that is the cause for your new found speed.

Was it a back-to-back comparison

[markw]

When working with engine timing you need to look at "total" advance. A timing light that allows you to dial the advance to bring TDC to zero is best. Most engines see "total" advance above 3000rpm. Too much timing and while the engine may seem more responsive puts you closer to detonation. A higher octane fuel will allow you to run more advance. As suggested a dyno is the only way to really measure the affect of timing on hp and torque. I read somewhere that you can do pretty well setting timing at the drag strip. The idea was, you'd do a run, and then advance the timing a little. Do another run and check your time. Keep advancing the timing until you 1/4 mile time drops off. Then retard the timing back to the previous setting. I have never tried this, but it sounded reasonable when I heard it.

[gran racing]

Dan,
When Matt advanced the timing of my car it also meant me running higher octane gas. I see either your car or your sisters at his shop from time to time. Have you ever had him tune them?

[tom_sprecher]

I have found that even less advance is the sweet spot for power in my car.

We usually keep taking out advance until the numbers start to drop, then dial a little more back in.