schecterplayer

hi guys i am looking to advance my timing on my 5.0. i beleive it is set at factory setting because the car is bone stock. ive read that running 87 octane with the timing set as high as it can go makes more power than 93 octane with timing set higher. can someone go into detail on this topic please? which is the most beneficial?

thanks!

88 orangepeel notch

I've always thought that the most power can be obtained thru maximum advance with 93. The use of a higher octane gas helps to fight detonation when advancing timing. I think your splitting hairs between the two, as a couple ponies more wouldn't even be noticeable.

Stock timing is 10', advance it to 13-14 for starters on 93 octane. Then slowly advance it 1' until you hear pinging. Then back it off 2'. Done, but your stuck using 93 octane this way.

schecterplayer

thats what i thought. didnt make sense that having less timing meant more power?? i just wanted to make absolute sure i was on the right track. while were on the topic. how much do people generally gain from this? even if just throttle response is improved thats enough for me

reldla1996

It's enough to notice. You'll like it.

bluebeastsrt

Yep my understanding also. You'll probably gain a tenth or two at the track.

88 orangepeel notch

And it'll feel like you gained 40 lbs of torque just off idle. When actually only gaining 20 lbs. As reldla said, it's a noticeable gain.

65Raven65

I'm glad this topic came up, when I had my '89 years ago I advanced the timing and couldn't believe the difference. Of course it had GT40s, E cam, and GT40 intake when I bought it, so it maybe gained even more than a stock set up, I dont know.

I forgot about this quick trick, I need to do it to my '87. Thanks for the reminder!

barnett468

simply rotating the distributor to increase the timing will NOT give you the optimum timing for any engine .

you need to determine the amount of total timing you can use also . . every engine build is a little different . . this can easily be done by performing a few tests, however, in general, if you set it to reach a total timing of around 28 - 32 between 2700 - 3000 rpm, you are safe.

if you can run more total sooner it is better.
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mjr46

in the case of his "bone stock" 5.0 simply giving it 2-4 more degrees of base timing will but him in the ball park all across the board in the schaler tables of where he needs to be for optimal performance since it's a "bone stock" 5.0. If you had any idea of the eec iv timing tables per gfub doc. you'd know what people are recommending above is spot on. I'm very well versed on the schaler tables in the eec iv and if the op even wants to further help the eec iv out add a 180 stat and CAI to lower over all engine temps so as to lower Iat's which all factor into the proportionate timing retard function vs load vs rpm vs Iat temps.

barnett468

Well, since I do know at least a little about 5.0 timing tables, I know that what you are saying only applies to 86' and newer vehicles . . As you can clearly see by his quote above, he did not mention what year he had, plus he posted this in the 1979 - 1995 forum, so I did not want to assume what year he had and therefore possibly give him the wrong information, however, I thank you for your information.
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