Crate engine timing
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On The Tree
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From: atco
Crate engine timing Hi I am building a 1994 Sonoma for 1/4 mile drag. Anyway I bought a gm 376 515 crate engine. It is an ls3 with gm carb intake and asa cam. I am using the gm ignition controller which is the same as a Holley 6ls2. I have timing set at 24 degrees through out the rpm range and 0 degrees at start up. It runs great but I am about to drive it down the road for the first time and am looking for some input on what these motors like timing wise. Thanks
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On The Tree
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From: atco
Ya it's definitely safe. And no paper work for timing just the breakin process they want you to use. I am used to old school small block that got 36-40 degrees timing. I was thinking of just doing 30 degrees to start out on the street with but was wondering if that too would be safe?
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2014
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If I was You I would listen to the advise Doug has already told you. Every combo is different so there is not a one setting that works for everyone. If all else fails. Call the place you got it from and see what they have to say.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
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From: atco
Thank for the input. I know there is no set number that will be the sweet spot. I am just looking for a starting point. I am a gm tech and bought it at the parts counter. There is no info from gm on where to start.
10 Second Club
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Harford Co. Maryland
I would have thought GM would have set parameters on where they want it since they put a warranty on them ?
The ASA cam is a step over stock and on a 110 LSA....I'm thinking it would be OK at 30-35, but better to start very conservative and go from there to see what YOURS likes
The ASA cam is a step over stock and on a 110 LSA....I'm thinking it would be OK at 30-35, but better to start very conservative and go from there to see what YOURS likes
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Teching In
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 49
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From: los altos hills
Here's what I found and posted (in the sticky above) from way back when I attempted to learn how GMPP measured performance on these motors. Wasn't much, but the item in italics stood out as accurate, best I could tell. Admittedly, it is hearsay but it works for me.
..............................
My main reason for posting is that I tried (and failed) to find out how GMPP dyno'd the engine performance reported in their literature. Best I could come up with is this from another site.
"I used to work at SPO headquarters and the GMPP engineer on the LS3 crate engine program ran ALL of them at 27*, that was the sweet spot."
................................
Here is that whole business
https://www.hptuners.com/forum/showt...6-2-LS3-timing
..............................
My main reason for posting is that I tried (and failed) to find out how GMPP dyno'd the engine performance reported in their literature. Best I could come up with is this from another site.
"I used to work at SPO headquarters and the GMPP engineer on the LS3 crate engine program ran ALL of them at 27*, that was the sweet spot."
................................
Here is that whole business
https://www.hptuners.com/forum/showt...6-2-LS3-timing
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 38
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From: New Orleans
NA ignition timing [QUOTE=ignatz;19683826]Here's what I found and posted (in the sticky above) from way back when I attempted to learn how GMPP measured performance on these motors. Wasn't much, but the item in italics stood out as accurate, best I could tell. Admittedly, it is hearsay but it works for me.
..............................
My main reason for posting is that I tried (and failed) to find out how GMPP dyno'd the engine performance reported in their literature. Best I could come up with is this from another site.
"I used to work at SPO headquarters and the GMPP engineer on the LS3 crate engine program ran ALL of them at 27*, that was the sweet spot."
I talked to a Tuner that I HIGHLY RESPECT, and has many LS swaps under his belt. He said at idle start at about 18*. Start ramping up to about 25* by 4000 rpm. Go a couple more degrees by 6500. Also that not many set-ups will see any gains above 30* . So that 27* that engineer spoke of is right on track with what my guy said. And remember this is strictly for a NA set-up. Any forced induction or nitrous will greatly lessen the amount of advance that is need to be safe.
GOOD LUCK
..............................
My main reason for posting is that I tried (and failed) to find out how GMPP dyno'd the engine performance reported in their literature. Best I could come up with is this from another site.
"I used to work at SPO headquarters and the GMPP engineer on the LS3 crate engine program ran ALL of them at 27*, that was the sweet spot."
I talked to a Tuner that I HIGHLY RESPECT, and has many LS swaps under his belt. He said at idle start at about 18*. Start ramping up to about 25* by 4000 rpm. Go a couple more degrees by 6500. Also that not many set-ups will see any gains above 30* . So that 27* that engineer spoke of is right on track with what my guy said. And remember this is strictly for a NA set-up. Any forced induction or nitrous will greatly lessen the amount of advance that is need to be safe.
GOOD LUCK
