wgreenlee4

Hey guys, so I've been reading up on foxbody ignition timing. I read that you can use higher octane fuel and get better performance as long as you increase either your compression ratio, or your ignition timing. So I wanted to increase my timing and give 93 a shot BUT:

1. I don't know if changing your timing for 93 octane actually will make any realistic difference.

2. I can't find what you should change your timing to. How far past 10 degrees.

Oh and it's a totally stock 302.

Thanks!

dawson1112

Every engine is a little different on how it responds to timing increase, some can achieve 14 degrees btc , while others are only able to reach 12 before preignition knock or ping occurs.

The idea here is to advance it a degree at a time and run it at operating temp to see if you have any ping, if no ping is noticed advance it another degree, and so on until you start to get ping. Then drop it slightly till the ping is gone. It will increase performance slightly and fox body cars seem to respond better to increased timing than the sn95 cars do.

You just have to find that sweet spot that your particular engine likes.

reldla1996

You will notice the difference from advancing your timing, but it will force you to run higher octane all the time. It's certainly worth it to me. I'm with Dawson, I advanced mine a smidge at a time, until noted negative effects.

wgreenlee4

Okay got it. Exactly the answer I was looking for thank guys.

But what is a ping? I know what preignition is but I don't know how to listen to these things.

dawson1112

Ping is just a term used to describe the pre ignition knock.

It happens when the fuel is ignited to soon as the piston is still coming up and it causes a knock or pinging sound. Very bad for your internals lol.

yurizx6r

Most people time it to 10-14 degrees and call it a day. Just take it slow, and be sure to pull out the spout connector before you do it. I would honestly start with a conservative 12. You will not notice that much of a difference either way. Your best bet is to leave the timing at 12 or stock and put a cold air intake, throttle body, etc etc on. Simple bolt ons will do the trick, but IMO suspension is where it's at. Start there before you add any power. Ford really dropped the ball on the foxbody suspension and drive train.

wgreenlee4

Well I have a plan to do a CAI, underdrive pulleys, electric fan, and springs. I already have a gear and freshly replaced drivetrain. But I love the idea of just jumping up the timing a bit and paying a little extra to get a little more out of the engine. A lot of the other mods also do barely anything sometimes but added up...

I have an uneducated guess that my timing might have already been advanced by the previous owner because 1. The engine struggles to start at first (mechanic thought I had advanced timing) and 2. When the car revs down, it spits fuel into the exhaust and ignites it making a lovely popping noise but it does it A LOT.

I don't know if that is related.

Thanks for all the great responses.

dawson1112

The only way to know if the timing was bumped is a light. I doubt it is related to the popping, any exhaust leaks will cause the exhaust to pop and if the leak is before the 02 sensors it can cause it to run rich.
If the engine is struggling to turn over it is most likely an issue with the starter being old.