What is the most Spark timing anyone has heard of running w/ a 5.3, I'm now running 27 degrees and wondering if possible to run more, As I've been tuning and adding more fuel & timing it just keeps getting better, I'm in the naborhood of 350 rwhp N/A and thinking there is more to get....

 

I know with a cam around 220 your supposed to add 22-26 degrees and for a cam around 224 i think around 26-30.

 

Every vehicle is different as far as how much timing it will take before you get knock and making the best power and torque that's why a dyno or some track testing or even some runs on a gtech is very useful. Also just because an engine can run say 30 degrees of timing with no knock doesnt mean that it is making the best power there or that you can keep adding timing.

For example I have tuned a 5.3 ext cab with a TR220 cam that kept taking more and more timing with no knock what so ever but the truck was actually falling off in power with more timing.

So basically tons of timing isnt always the key but like I said your best bet is either a good dyno or some test and tune at the track to see where you are at with the timing changes.

 

Yea I'm aware to much timing can be a bad thing, thats why i asked what was the most anyone has heard of... And by that i meant running good, What I'd like to do is get a lap top and go to the track on a test and tune weekend and change a couple of deg's at a time and make passes and check the time slips to see what works best....

 

we've run as much as 30 on mine but didn't gain any more power than when it was at 26-27

 

Exactly!!! That was my point. If it doesnt make any more power than no reason to push that threshold for the knock limit. Leave some room in case of that occasional bad tank of gas, etc....