Ignition timing??????

[Dima r33]

Hi,

I am getting my car serviced and dyno tuned next week and the mechanic there said something about the car feeling a whole lot stronger afterwards because he will adjust the ignition timing when it is on the dyno.

Can somebody out there please tell me what exactly ignition timing is? How it is adjusted and how adjusting it gives me better all round driveability (supposedly)?

Can I expect a major difference performance wise after this is done?

[SkylineUSA]

Yes,

Timing, the point when the spark plug fires, depeneding where the piston is in the power strok can make a big differnce between power and drivability.

Normally more timing = more power, but also there is a fine line where to much timing will make your engine detonate. Detonate and ceramic turbos are a very bad combo

[Dima r33]

thanx USA,

how can I ensure that the guy doesnt time it to much so that it doesnt detonate? Is there some specified level, or indicator or limit or something (for skyline 95 r33 gts25t -rb25det engine)?
If you dont know any ideas where could I find this out?

Do u think its safe just to assume that the guy (it is a pretty well known tuning place) knows what he is doing (considering the huge potential damage)?

Also how can you tell if your engine is detonating?

[RazorGTR]

If it is bad enough you can hear it pinking or knocking. On light detination you wont hear it very easy though it is happening and will eat away at your pistons.

I would suggest using the factory base of 15 degs. You can go as much as 18 though not reccomended unless someone that can tune the car and listen for it.

[Moppie]

Another indication of knocking is instant powerloss.

When the car was tuned on the dyno this would show up very clearly, which is part of what makes them so good for tuning a car on.

Unless the guy is a complete idiot (in which case I doubt he would have a dyno) then I would assume he has set it to the optimum point.

[RazorGTR]

Not always Moppie, as many don't know how to correctly set the timing believe it or not. It is shocking at some of the settings I've seen over the past year and a half working part time at Torque.