Any guesses where my best timing will be at and what octane level I should run when tuning for it? So far the new motor has only seen boost for a couple of seconds at a time, timing was at 14* at 18 psi on 114 octane race gas. Knock sensors never report any activity under boost, so I won't count on them for safety. SCR 9.3:1 Knock off 1 point for DCR. Boost CR 20:1+ 228/236 .630/.635 114 LS 110 ICL

 

you should tune timing for the fuel you will be using if that makes sense. if you tune with c16 then after that throw in pump gas that will not be good. figure out what fuel your going to use then bas your timing of that.

 

I wouldn't expect the knock sensors to report anything with only 14* of timing when using 114 octane. You'd probably be okay using 93 octane, even with the 18 psi boost(with 14*).

Comparison: I get away with 16-18* of timing, using 90 octane gas, with 12 psi.

I'd bump it up a little bit at a time(just in the WOT areas), until you record a degree of KR, then back it off a bit. I'm guessing that with the 114 octane, you'll get near 19-20*, but you'll have to be the one to find out.

 

Of course, this all hinges on your fueling already being spot-on. If you're lean anywhere, it's game-over....

 

From 15~20* or even 18~22* is a huge gain after 22* I haven't noticed anything. This is with turbo a SC might be differen't. Where the 25~ 30* timing makes the hugh difference is out of boost and in spool up.

 

Ya, I don't think I worded the question quite right. I want to be safe, but without overkill on the octane level. It may be more like 20+ psi once I wind it up all the way. I have been playing with the tune to get the LS1 knock sensors to work screwed into the sides of the LSX block, but I still wouldn't count on them for safety or for tuning. This will be a race tune. I would back it off for the street and probably only run the 13 psi pulleys. Street fuel is 94 E10, no meth.

 

The only safe way of tuning WOT timing is at a dyno... you will hit the point of diminishing return WAY before your knock sensors pick up knock. Knock sensors are not tuned to show knock just past peak power and should not be used as such.

 

That is not the best with a heavy vehicle though as the load is much higher on the street then the dyno. The absolute best way to tun it would be at the track, or on the street. If you plan on running pump fuel I would stay around 12-13* max! E85 or 114 would like about 16-18 on that setup I would guess, it is not a car though!