Miata Mailing List: March 1998, Message #286

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Kevin Morrison wrote:
> 
> >At 09:35 PM 2/28/98 +0000, SWool45901 wrote:
> >>i'm thinking of having my timing adjusted. I read somewhere that 14deg was
> >>preferable. Can anyone give me some help on this subject?
> >
> >Thank goodness - a breath of fresh air!
> >Gary Fischman replied:
> >14 degrees BTDC timing will give you better performance. There is a cost,
> >but it won't be noticable. Basically the cost is in emissions. It still
> >falls well within the limit, however. You could go to 18, which would give
> >you slightly better low end torque at the expense of high end, and you
> >might have to use premium fuel.
> >
> >Personally, I like running 14 as do most people.
> 
> Just a data point here.  I've been running 18 degrees BTDC timing for the
> last day and I'm really impressed with the improvement in performance.
> Subjectively, I would say there is more improvement in engine performance
> associated with going from 14 to 18 than there is going from the stock 10
> degrees to 14.  Combined with my JR CAI, the car has *a lot* more torque and
> pulls harder at all rpm levels.  I drove it hard today and noticed no
> decrease in high-end power.  The engine sounds different and feels stronger.
> I'm running 89 octane with no pinging as of yet (75-80 degrees F, 70-80%
> humidity).  If you're at 14 and have never tried 18, give it a try.
> 
> Kevin Morrison and Spider '94R+
> Tampa, Florida, and other places...
> kevin@sunriders.com
> http://www.sunriders.com

Please excuse my extreme ignorance...

How noticeable is the change in performance?  For instance I have a '97
standard (no changes whatsoever) and I test-drove a '99... would the
perceived difference in performance match the difference between my '97
and a '99?

are there like "possible steps" for timing setup?  I've heard of 10, 14
and 18 but I've never heard of 16 or 17 for instance...

What should a mechanic charge to do something like that (what's
reasonable?) Is this a relatively simple no brainer operation for a
mechanic?  I ask because I don't have a "trusted" mechanic... I would
have to go to the coolest looking neon sign :)

Alessandro
& Sn wWhi e'97 (fading away as the '99 gets closer)