95 Mustang GT...How Much Timing?!

[Three50won]

Hey guys, I'm just asking how much timing/spark you all are adding. I have my base timing set at 10 degrees (at the crank) and I went in and added 6 degrees global through the ECU. The car feels really good and I'm not getting any ping running 93 octane. I'm gonna tinker around with it a little at a time to see how much more I can add. Still I'd like to know how much you're all using just for comparisons. This is my 95 gt (see sig for mods). I've heard and read of people having as much as 30 to 35 degrees total timing...don't know how much of that I actually believe. Anyway thanks for any info...!!

 

[Three50won]

Anybody out there? Nobody in this tuning section has added spark through the ECU?

 

[2002BLGT]

I wouldnt add spark globally like that , usually you can adjust spark borderline table and redo the timing ramp , I normally get peak power around 31 degrees on aluminum headed cars depending on compression and what heads they are , trickflow heads sometimes will peak out at 29-30 degrees , cast iron heads sometimes will take 32-33

 

[Three50won]

Thanks for the reply. I looked in BE and I don't see any of that in the adjustable parameters. Where would it be and how would I adjust it?

 

[2002BLGT]

depends on what version of BE you are on , look for tables , or a T in a box and click on it to bring up tables , then look for spark borderline

 

[blksn955.o]

another vote on not doing it global. Our EEC has a good bit of timing while in mid load cruise (EGR still on). Adding global can cause a ping/knock at this mid load situation. IIRC timing at mid load with the EGR kicking in is around 40*. This is also why if the EGR is removed and not turned off in the tune ping will be noticed more...the eec is expecting the extra fuel vapor from the EGR and running a little lean due to not having it.

Also we have a tuning device that allows precise control...global is nothing more than turning the dizzy. We can add the timing were we want it and leave it stock every place else.

I am a tweecer guy so what I have will probably not translate exactly to the QH group. But for the tweecer users we disable some of the tables by loading 55's in all values and use the main spark table to run timing. Generally, start at around +4 or degrees at areas above 60-70% load. This should keep you out of any mid load pinging. Verify the timing via datalogging.

 

[VibrantRedGT]

I'm going to move this to tech so you can get more replies.

 

[Three50won]

another vote on not doing it global. Our EEC has a good bit of timing while in mid load cruise (EGR still on). Adding global can cause a ping/knock at this mid load situation. IIRC timing at mid load with the EGR kicking in is around 40*. This is also why if the EGR is removed and not turned off in the tune ping will be noticed more...the eec is expecting the extra fuel vapor from the EGR and running a little lean due to not having it.

Also we have a tuning device that allows precise control...global is nothing more than turning the dizzy. We can add the timing were we want it and leave it stock every place else.

I am a tweecer guy so what I have will probably not translate exactly to the QH group. But for the tweecer users we disable some of the tables by loading 55's in all values and use the main spark table to run timing. Generally, start at around +4 or degrees at areas above 60-70% load. This should keep you out of any mid load pinging. Verify the timing via datalogging.

Thanks for the info. I am still trying to get used to tuning. For now I will take your advice and leave the global at o. I'll just use a timing light to adjust it. As it is I probably have to take some timing out (with the timing light) because the trans is bucking under 45 MPH in overdrive...

 

[blksn955.o]

Global is the exact same thing as doing it with a timing light. Are you on any of the tuning forums? Its been years since I was on them but I would search for our strategy and look at timing changes. Then you will be able to follow what others have done to setup your tables so that under WOT you will have the added timing but while not at WOT you will be rocking the factory timing. This will give you the best of both worlds.

 

[Three50won]

Global is the exact same thing as doing it with a timing light. Are you on any of the tuning forums? Its been years since I was on them but I would search for our strategy and look at timing changes. Then you will be able to follow what others have done to setup your tables so that under WOT you will have the added timing but while not at WOT you will be rocking the factory timing. This will give you the best of both worlds.

I was on one tuning site but I haven't been there in a couple months. I have the strategy...any suggestions on a safe way to adjust the timing ramps?

 

[Don 95Vert]

Spark adjustment is made in the borderline table. You determine where you want the spark curve to be and then make sure you are not running up against the max table. The only reason to use the global spark table is to PULL timing while you are dialing in the MAF curve for safety, then it goes back to zero once that is done. It's been my experience that on 93 octane most HP gains stop at around 29-30* of spark regardless of heads used - just because it doesn't detonate (or you think it doesn't) does not mean adding more is good - you can overspark a motor without detonation and it's not good. Keep in mind global spark additions will override all other spark safeguards in the PCM and part throttle detonation, which is a problem for SN95-5.0's anyway, is bad for the motor.