The power (Literally) of ignition timing
Also, I think the point of this thread was to show data demonstrating what a few degrees of timing is worth in real world terms when it comes to mild amounts of boost. We all know that more timing is more power up to a certain point, then it becomes detrimental to engine longevity.
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That is my approach for this springs tuning session. Although with e85 making a bigger boom, the gains may be more impressive per degree. Guess I will find out and record it for a thread later on.
NGK recommends 8's for us per there own tech support. 7's will work too but were not what was recommended to me by them.
My street car is a NA/Nitrous setup so a non-projected tip plug is desired over projected. It is a simple heads cam stock bottom LS1 and it runs perfectly fine on non-projected 8's. Actually made its fastest NA pass at the track with them because being a full accessory fbody isn't the funnest job to change all 8 plugs at the track.
The one problem I can see with alot of boost and retarded timing is exhaust gas temps and burning valves. With that much air and fuel there is going to be heat and if it's fired late to prevent too much in the chamber it'll be in the exhaust. So sometimes too little is also a bad thing.
My advice is to put a methanol kit on it and don't use that sissy 50/50 mix... then throw some timing at it and it'll make a ton more power. Picked a cam/header/maggy 2300 LS2 up 100rwhp with methanol. Could only manage 13* on 93 octane. Added a Snow st2 kit with the largest single nozzle they had and pure methanol and was able to get 21* in it with 100rwhp more. Cooler charge temps and proper heat mark on plugs still. Meth.... its addicting LOL
Also IMO, timing is harder to hook than boost, we run REALLY low timing down low on the street tires to make it hook, sad how much boost we can shove down it if the timing is low and still stay hooked on a pure street tire lol.
If we remove timing you can imagine the power loss. We are talking a 150-200 hp loss at the 600 hp level, thats equivalent of 8-10 psi of boost, but you can ramp it back in in a split second

Great thread
My street car is a NA/Nitrous setup so a non-projected tip plug is desired over projected. It is a simple heads cam stock bottom LS1 and it runs perfectly fine on non-projected 8's. Actually made its fastest NA pass at the track with them because being a full accessory fbody isn't the funnest job to change all 8 plugs at the track.
The one problem I can see with alot of boost and retarded timing is exhaust gas temps and burning valves. With that much air and fuel there is going to be heat and if it's fired late to prevent too much in the chamber it'll be in the exhaust. So sometimes too little is also a bad thing.








