advance or retard?

[1PhatCX]

just wondering what advantages if any there are when u advance or retard the timing? do you get better performance when you advance it? just wondering because when i got the dizzy for my ZC the guy said it was his "race" distributor so he could advance it as far as possible when he went racing. all he did was cut one side of the bolt hole off so it moves farther. just curious on how safe you can advance/ retard and benefits of it

[Kven]

when you advance itll you make more power to a certain degree. but if you go too far, itll detonate. im at around 26 on my d15b, runs fine but the engine shakes alot at idle. i cant move it back since i cant get a hold of a box wrench skinny enough. some race motorcycles run from 35-45 degrees advanced.

[1PhatCX]

how do i know how many degrees to run?

[BLU CIVIC]

i did it by trial and error...helps with throttle response too...turn the dizzy slow and pull ur throttle cable...really helps...

[quiXilver]

it can make a big difference. I remember when I was playing around with my adj. cam gear on my mini me, just a couple deg. makes a diff. you can feel.

First things first, if you're going to be messin with timing, go get a timing light if you don't have one already. Lot easier.

[travagliante]

well advancing timing sends the spark before compression or faster? Cant think right now----

Basically its almost speeding your engine up. Depending on how far you advance premium gas is required. Also if you go too far it is really bad on you engine. Race distributor? Hmm sounds like he pulled something over you?

[Kven]

it sparks before compression. if you're going to advance it just bring it up 5-10 degrees untill you can get a a/f meter or get it on the dyno.

yea youre going to need premium gas, or atleast its highly recommended. my car cant run straight on 91; i have to use 93.

[1PhatCX]

mine can run on 91 but it lacks preformance, when i put 94 in its a world of difference. yea he said it was a race distributor and he was just lending it to me, i tried pming him back quite a few times to see if he got a new one in that i could buy off him and he ignores me so.... i'll keep the free dizzy

well i think i might just start slowly advancing it, take it out for a drive, advance more and drive more lol

right now it runs very rich at idle but when cruising and i let off it sits at ideal get back into it and goes to rich again

[CBURKE]

lisen to the motor you will hear it. The sound goes up. If you go to high the it will start to studer. Oyeah and if your gonna do it with the car running (kinda have to) becarfull you will get a nice little shock :22yikes:

[1PhatCX]

Originally Posted by CBURKE

lisen to the motor you will hear it. The sound goes up. If you go to high the it will start to studer. Oyeah and if your gonna do it with the car running (kinda have to) becarfull you will get a nice little shock :22yikes:

lol alright, and a nice pair of insulated gloves will help with the shock thing but best bet might be to advance till it starts to studder then back it off a bit?

[CBURKE]

yep, just like old mustangs.

[1PhatCX]

oh, so after i advance it it'll break? lol
thanx for the help bud

[Kven]

hahaha

[CBURKE]

hahahaha, welcome