Someone please explain how I am running 14* timing???

[william]

The car is this:
86 GLH
TII (87 CSX Electronics)
GLHS Stage II LM
86 Turbo Pistons
85 Rods
86 Turbo Block
85 NA G Head
88 2.5 TBI roller cam 1 tooth retarded
Stock rad/IC combo
RN12YC Champs
Walbro 255 pump
G Valve 14psi

If I set the timing (unplug CTS) at 12*, the car runs like a bag of doorknobs. If I bump it ahead to around 14*, it runs great, no detonation. WTF? By all accounts I should be running the car at 10*, but it runs AWFUL at 10*. Does this have to do with the spark curve on the cal being for a fast burn head? Should I continue to run the car at 14*? I don't want to cook something, but I can't drive the car with the timing set where it should be. Am I totally missing something?

[Chucksrt]

some vendors recommend that you set it to 15* stock setting is 12* right? the front of your dist. is parallel (not angled) with the block @ 12* Right? (making sure it's not off a tooth)

[william]

Did some searching and lots of people running 16* or more on this type of setup. 15* would probably be perfect. I am going to try that, see how it runs.

[xtz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chucksrt (making sure it's not off a tooth)

it is off a tooth, he's running 1 tooth retarded.

I wouldn't say it is so much on the calibration. someone else will have to chime in on the timing issue, but I did a fair amount of research on this way back. I'm pretty sure the TBI roller should run straight up on that setup. you're probably trying to make up for less torque on the G head with the timing set that low, right? kind of a wash, more air flow with timing back the equivalent of 9' like that.

running stock injectors & exhaust? my guess is it will run best cam timing straight up. if you're worried about detonation, throw in some rn9's and start ignition timing at 10', and then work it forward. cam timing a tooth back, you're probably just touching the beginning of the power band at 14' ignition advance. depending on your exhaust setup, you might even want to advance cam timing some (but not a tooth). depends if your sticking to 14 psi, mostly.

I'm running 87 t2 complete setup, fastburn with an 89 roller, GLHS stage II cal./g-valve 17 psi, +20's, straight up cam timing, 14' ignition advance, rn9's gapped around .30, and still the stock exhaust. somewhat similar setup. no detonation and the car screams like this, but it is begging for a bigger exhaust - still seems a little rich as it sits, actually.

if you're worried about detonation, run it straight with some +20's, they are awesome with that cal., I think.