I've heard that you should advance timing as far as you can until detonation. But I've also heard that some faint knocks can't really be heard. So how will I know when the timing I'm running is too much?

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"Though I cruise through the valley of Rice I shall fear no turbo, for torque art with me."
--Cullan Hooley
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1985 IROC-Z w/T-tops, 305 out and 350 L98 TPI engine in, Hooker Super Comp Headers, 3" Hooker Super Comp Cat-Back, Dropped Cat, Rebuilt TH700R4 with Shift kit, 2,800RPM Torque Converter, 3.73 Richmond gears, Auburn differential, Accell SuperCoil, Accell 8mm racing wires, BBK AFPR, Homemade Ram-Air (thanks to askulte), MAF screens removed, Dropped A/C, Dropped A.I.R, TB coolant bypass, Hurst Dual-Gate Shifter, SLP Air Foil, K&N filters, Holley performance fuel pump, Spohn Subframe Connectors, Re-located Spohn Lower Control arms, and more to come.

 

Hook up a scanner to detect knocks?

 

Is there any way to do it without a scanner?

 

A scanner is the best way, since some knock can be inaudible.

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1989 IROC-Z 5.7L
NOS 5151 150HP kit
ProBuilt 700R4, PI Vigilante 2800 stall lockup
Baer Brakes 12" Sport System

 

What type of octane do you fill your car with? A good way to check is to really get on your car when it's cold. Bad timing is most likely to be heard when it's still cold (120 degrees or less). As the engine warms and gos into closed loop, the computer will make necessary timing adjustments. Also a good timing mark on stock L98's is 10 degrees BTC.

 

I would not recomend trying to set the timing by listening for detination at aceleration it does work but its kind of hit and miss. If you want to set your timing to optimum setting disconect the vacume advance and the tack wire and then rev the engine up to 3,500 rpm at that rpm the full mechanical advance should be in and you should set the timing at 36 to 38 degrees advanced. If you do not have one of those fancy advance timing lights just line up the harmonic balancer with zero on the timing tab then mark the point on the balancer that reads 10 degrees rotate the 10 degree mark to zero and make another mark on the balancer oposite the the 10 degree mark on the balancer this new mark is 20 degrees advanced. make another mark at 30 degrees and then a mark at 36 and 38. Hope this helps and good luck.


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White bone stock 87 RS