Tuning Guide ver.
INCORRECT IGNITION TIMING CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE
DAMAGE!! If possible, have your ignition timing tuned by a professional on a
steady state dynamometer. Too much timing advance can cause detonation.
Detonation at full throttle can sound like pinging. Detonation at part throttle is
much more difficult to detect. It can sound like a rattle or like valve train noise.
Detonation WILL cause engine damage over time. If any detonation is heard,
immediately reduce timing advance. Always leave a margin of safety. Be
conservative, protect the engine. Again, get expert help.
Optimizing ignition timing can increase torque and horsepower and also
increase efficiency and fuel economy. The Progression Ignition distributor and app
gives you a great deal of control over your timing. You can command any timing
within the range of 10-50 degrees BTDC at any RPM or load. The distributor will
interpolate smoothly between adjacent cells on the table. Here are some tips on
tuning the various engine operating conditions. Every engine is different. These
are general tips for most classic American V8 engines.
1. Cranking transition
a. The distributor always cranks at 10 degrees BTDC up to about 300
RPM. When transitioning to the timing table, the cells shown below are
usually the first to be used. Edit these cells for best starting.
2. Idle tuning
a. At idle, it is preferable to NOT produce maximum torque. Maximum
torque at idle can be up to 25-30 degrees. Set idle timing between
10-18 degrees. This creates a torque reserve. You can use that
reserve by increasing advance to help maintain a smooth idle when
engine load increases. Examples of increasing load would be shifting
an automatic transmission from Park into Drive or turning on an
accessory like air conditioning.
b. The Generator in the app sets this up for you automatically. If engine
load increases, RPM will decrease and the table increases timing to
increase torque and compensate for the additional load. See below.
3. T ip-In- this is the area of the table that is used when increasing throttle to
accelerate from a stop. The engine will quickly move through this area.
Optimizing timing here can increase torque quickly and provide great throttle
response.
a. You want maximum torque here. Timing can go as high as 25-30
degrees. If MAP keeps increasing, timing must taper back down. See
below
4. Cruise- Optimizing timing during cruise will maximize fuel economy. Cruise
RPM varies widely due to the variety of transmissions and rear end ratios.
Timing is generally in the 35-45 degree range, perhaps higher on engines
with older cylinder head designs combined with non-overdrive transmissions.
See below.
5. Wide Open Throttle- Optimize timing for maximum power. Older small
block V8’s typically see max power at 34-36 degrees at high RPM. Newer
cylinder head designs generally see max power around 28-32 degrees at
high RPM. Be careful when tuning here as detonation can quickly destroy an
engine at WOT. See below.
6. High RPM/Low load- This area of the table is not used much unless the
driver is purposely holding the car in a low gear at high RPM with light
throttle. Timing should be very high around 40-50 degrees. Retarding timing
here will excessively heat exhaust components.
7. Deceleration- This is when your foot is completely off the throttle. MAP is
at its lowest (highest vacuum). Tuning this area with a manual transmission
can alter the engine braking feel. Timing is generally between 35-50
degrees. A popping sound in the exhaust can indicate too much timing
advance here. See below.