Quicky on Ignition Timing

Ignition timing? What is it?

Well in short, its setting the point that the spark actually fires.
When the piston is at its highest compression point, it seems like that would be the ideal spark point, right?

Well thats not always true.

There are many factors that can influence the point of ignition. Goals, such as fuel economy, engine longevity, or most important, power, can play a huge factor.

Advancing timing, refers to how many degrees during the compression stroke the spark will ignite.
Retarding timing, refers to how many degrees after the maximum power point the spark will ignite.

Well advancing timing would obviously yield more power, but sometimes can bring disastrous results. If timing is advanced too much, the ignition of the spark can cause detonation, or knock. Only with proper tuning, a wide band O2 sensor, and a dyno, can one achieve the optimal point of ignition. In this tuning process, one would want to set the ignition point, as advanced as possible, without creating detonation.

There are many ways to control timing, there are timing gears, computer piggybacks, complete ECU changes, and in older cars, position of the distributor.


Here is an adjustable timing gear, notice the points of adjustment on the gear itself.


Here is an emanage ultimate, which piggybacks with your current ECU in order to advance or retard timing.


And here is a full stand alone, AEM EMS system that replaces your ECU in order to advance or retard timing, and many other treats.

Well thats the skinny on timing, tuning in next week, same philthy time, same philthy day.

Mister Philthy