Is advancing ignition timing a couple degrees good or bad...no one talks about it

[original420racing]

I only read about it when people talk about the specs of there skis

I know in a car a couple of degrees can make a big difference.

 

[richardpr]

It can give you more power but increases the risk of pre detonation

 

[Minnetonka4me]

absolutely it makes a difference but most of us are ok with a more conservative timing in favor of reliability.

The big problem I have been thinking about is the crank/case initial timing on 787/951s. When you replace a crank or cases or both, I am fairly sure the number stamped into the cases is null and needs to be retimed. Not only that, all the people that replace MPEMs with ones on ebay. They have a 6 degree variance that needs to be set with a programmer. Both me and my brother always try to get that number off the cases from customers and program it before we send it, but that again goes back to the first question...is the motor original.


I hope to get a bit more educated on timing next spring with the monster 970 miller build. Its gonna most likely be a trailer race gas queen, so Im considering going with a total loss setup.

 

[Coastiejoe]

It can make a rather substantial performance change. However, it will eat through your pistons pretty quick

 

[original420racing]

so 1 or 2 degrees wouldnt be a big deal????

 

[Coastiejoe]

so 1 or 2 degrees wouldnt be a big deal????

I would not do it.

The end cost is not worth the gain. It will likely cost you a rebuild somewhere along the way.

But,,,, that's just my opinion.

 

[Robj]

With my old 2 stroke quad advanving the timing a couple degrees did make a difference. But not sure with a seadoo whether the risk of detonation outweighs a small gain in performance?

 

[midway]

I would venture to say that BRP has got the most out of these engines they can and still have reliability. I am fairly new to this world, but, I have been in the boat world for years, the marine engines they use are very close to the max power output to reliability ratio, if you want to faster with your engine you can invest about $10,000.00+ and get about 2 mph more, + or -, and pray that it stays together when you stand on it. If you want more you have to spend more and build with the parts designed for more and even then you hope it stays together, you have a much better chance with parts designed for more power.

 

[original420racing]

So if it wasn't your ski and you ran 93 and 110octane mix it might have a chance.
And how much advance lets say on a 787 could be played with.

I appreciate all responses and I understand what you are saying maybe this is the way I should have worded it...lol

 

[zuminazx]

+3 degrees works great on a properly setup motor (premium fuel, proper squish, healthy compression, proper jetting, no air leaks, etc), it's just a PITA to do without a 2 stroke timing dial, a timing light, and a BUDS programmer. The other shitty aspect is once you buy said tools, it only takes 20 minutes to set it up and you're done forever unless you switch to a different crank or MPEM. I was thinking about putting together a loan-a-tool kit for this purpose....

 

[Matt Braley]

The "poor man's way" is a MSD Enhanser part #4255. It has dip switches that allow you to control things without the programmer. You still need the timing tape and the automotive timing light though.

 

[zuminazx]

The "poor man's way" is a MSD Enhanser part #4255. It has dip switches that allow you to control things without the programmer. You still need the timing tape and the automotive timing light though.

yes, a timing tape that is correct for the different size PTOs out there would be an easier solution. However I'm not sure how accurately one can place one in, for example, an XPL.

 

[original420racing]

I have a really nice timing light with a dial on it. I was thinking i could just play with the dial so i could add a couple degrees from where it is now.