Timing Advance

[4g63tFTW]

After searching around on here for a little while, I decided to make my own thread. I cannot find anything about safe how far you can advance timing without running into knock issues.

I drive a '89 5 speed Camry with a 3s-fe in it. I advanced the timing about 4 degrees on Sunday and although the power increase is small, I could notice that it was a little bit faster. The only other thing that has been done to my car is exhaust. The diameter has been increased slightly from the downpipe back.

Right now, I am running on 92 octane just to make sure that I am not running into issues with knock. I am looking to advance the timing around 3 degrees more. Anyone have experience with this?

[Smar969905]

you should probably change out your ignition system as well to have a better spark. the higher octane, the worse it tends to burn, so it takes more of a spark. you might also try mid-grade gas instead of going straight to the top. you could save yourself a little money, and also if it isn't burning all the fuel, you tend to get carbon buildup, which can gunk up the engine.

[TVISMR2]

Advance it till it pings, then back it off till it stops.

[aych]

I've also tried to advance the timing, but the distributor doesn't seem to want to move with the cap on. how did you do it 4g63tFTW? can you pm me with instructions?

thanks

[4g63tFTW]

Originally Posted by TVISMR2

Advance it till it pings, then back it off till it stops.

Most useful post EVAR!

[4g63tFTW]

Good point about the ignition system. I'll have to take a look into that. Anyone have actual degrees of advance that are 100% safe to run on 92 octane?

[TVISMR2]

Originally Posted by 4g63tFTW

Most useful post EVAR!

Advance it till your motor goes boom. That'll tell you how far is too far.

[4g63tFTW]

Seriously TVISMR2, your posts are so useful. Thanks for the great information. In case you need things repeated multiple times for you to understand anything, I'm looking for a setting that is safe to run.

Also, it there any way to monitor knock on my car? I've done some reading and have come to the conclusion that there is no knock sensor. Is that true?

[fredk]

bring it up till it pings then back it up a little

[4g63tFTW]

How far can I advance it til I should be expecting it to start pinging? I don't want to be moving it in small increments if I still have 5+ degrees to go before it is even close to the danger zone. I know that all cars are differnet and react differently to changes, but does nobody have experience with this?

[white90dx]

You probably have 2-6* left to go until is starts pinging... I'd drop down to 89 octane gas and see where its at. Maybe only run the higher octane in hotter weather.

My old '90 5-speed would ping on 87 octane with the stock timing, so every car is definitely different. I had to run 89 all the time.

-Charlie

[4g63tFTW]

Thanks. I'll advance the timing a few more degrees and see what happens. Any information about a knock sensor/hooking one up, logging fuel trims etc. would also be greatly appreciated.

I haven't researched it yet(going to right now), but I am thinking about connecting a small diameter hose from the clean side of the airbox to just after the afm to bypass some air. Any input on this would also be cool and appreciated.

[aych]

hm, when you mention rotating 5-6*, is it in real degrees? so if i rotate the distrubutor 5 degrees it should advance timing by 5 degrees?

[4g63tFTW]

I think it needs to move half as many degrees, I think. Don't quote me on that though. I used a timing light. I would suggest that you use one as well.

[aych]

lol. ok maybe i'll go re-purchase my timing light. last time i brought up this timing issue i got the same advice, advance until it pings then back off, but i never could advance anything.