MX-3.com

Hey what's up all, I was wondering if anyone advanced their timing to 18 deg or not, and if it makes any big difference, The engine i'm talkin is a 1.6 DOHC

Way to much ignition advance. 13 or 14 degrees and higher octane fuel is all you need to do.

i assume you can take the SOHC that far too, and about how much power are you looking at gaining with that?

Your optimum setting is to get the timing where the engine just barely knocks/pings under hard acceleration, then back it off a degree or so until it doenst. I agree 18 degrees is a bit far, I would go to no more than 14-15. Every engine is a little different yours may or may not tolerate more than this. Run your gas tank down to almost empty and then fill up with the highest octane you are comfortable paying for, then adjust your timing from there. When you add up the difference in price between regular and premium gas, these may be some of the most expensive horses you'll ever buy. (I read one 1.6 Miata person claiming 10-12 horse increase at 18 degrees. I dont know if these were dyno'd horses or psychological horses,or if his engine was otherwise stock, but it seems a tad high to me. My GUESS would be 5-7 tops. I dont have access to a dyno maybe someone who does can give the real results...?) You will probably need to adjust your idle speed after you change the timing. Also if you decide to go all out with premium gas and the most advance your engine will tolerate, as the weather goes from warm to hot you may need to back off a degree or so as the hot summer air will cause more knocking/pinging.

you could say its dyno able horses i have some sheets round here somewhere.. but its not all top end horses it really beefs up a low end

Thanks for the answers, everyone, its nice to see people helping people, props to everyone!!!!!Maybe i'll try these and get back to you