I getting an STS turbo running 5-7lbs of boost

what should I gap the plugs to?

How far back should I set the timing?

 

Probably between .035 - .040 .... start bigger and then work your way down.

For timing, are you using a boost retard box or just staright off the ECU?

 

I really haven't decided yet?

should I just retard the timing off the ECU

or would a retard box work better?

Probably for when I upgrade to a better wastegate and boost control right?

Thanks
Ed

 

Hereis a simplistic breakdown of how it works:

Option 1: If you have a timing retard box, you can have aggressive timing in your timing tables, and let the box pull the timing with boost.

Example: Your last column of cells in the timing table might read 28 degrees timing. Once you see 1psi of boost the box will pull 1 degree, so your at 27 degrees. When you see 2psi of boost the timing will get pulled 2 degees to 26 degrees, etc. By 6psi, you'll be at 22 degrees (you can control how much it retards).

Option 2: Without the timing box, you will hve to go into your program and look at the timing tables. The last available column of timin cells is for WOT N/A... so 0psi gauge pressure. What wil happen is the ecu will default to the timing # that is in that finl cell and lock it. Meaning, if you want to run 22 degrees of timing at 6psi of boost, you last cells will have 22 degrees in it. This means no mtter how much boost you see between 0-6psi, the itming will be the same - 22 degrees.

Obviously option 1 will make more power and be more responsive. What will be more responsive and produce better #'s (assuming no knock) ... 3 psi @ 25 degrees or 3psi @ 22 degrees. May not sem like much, but on a boosted vehicle timing is very important.

I just used some crude examples to show you how this stuff works. Option 1 is what i would go with out of the 2 choices.