Woolich ignition timing

Proper part throttle ign timing tuning procedure requires a dyno that reads out steady state hp in realtime and the ability to make timing changes in realtime. Make a timing change and the hp changes. Magic. Now move to another throttle position and repeat.

If you aren't doing part throttle ign timing tuning on the above described dyno, you have to make educated guesses, using experience and intuition as to what ign timing you think the engine might like and test ride.

For full throttle ign timing, you should make your full throttle ign timing changes and test for power under a steady state load. Doing steady state loading pretty much prevents you from over advancing the ign timing as power will decrease under full load if overadvanced.

If just playing around, try a blanket +2 and +4 degrees. It's rare that much wants +6.

A 2 degree change is a normal increment of change. A 1 degree change is pretty small.

FYI - a power commander's ign timing isn't in degrees. A power commander "10" is really 3-4 real degrees.

Br,

Marc Salvisberg

Yes, higher octane fuel can handle more timing but still how hot the cylinder gets and what type of flow the engine have. higher RPM there is more gasses to exit off the exhaust so more heat, requires less timing. timing is added where the engine requires it to run smooth and with power, too much timing can cause the top of the cylinder to heat up and cause NOX .that's where the metal dioxide. the damage will be to the pistons and valves. you can add timing tell there is what they call knocks and back off few degree from there. you can use a knock sensor or temp sensor and in my case a Nox measurement in ppm. if you don't have any of those as I said before, timing can be added up to 5-6000 RPM as manufacturers retard those areas to pass emission regulation. adding Timing at the top end of RPM without any tools is something you shouldn't do. if you really want the power at the top end you do need a dyno and an experienced tuner. in your case with a cat, you should pay attention what air-fuel ratio you get after the cat . most cats require 14.7:1 ratio in order to work correctly and last long, too rich of a mixture can plug up the cat. If you have a high flow Cat then the richer mixture is ok with it but you need to check with the manufacturer to find out how much and what flow you getting from the exhaust before you start adding timing and running the mixture richer than manufacture.