timing adjust Options

[klm317]

ok, so i saw that advancing the timing on a car can add some quick horsepower. so i was wondering if the timing of a 5S-FE could easily be advanced and what type of effects it would have. thanks for any input in advance

[Bitter]

i dont think its adjustable on your year, you're right on fence between obd1 and obd2. if its adjustable theres going to be 2 hold down bolts with slots on the bottom of the distributor assembly. if its not, then you have only one hold down bolt at the bottom and you cant manually adjust it.

yes, a few degrees advance can add some pep.

[JoeyIsFunny]

I have a '94 7A-FE and I advanced my timing 6 degrees and am still using 87 grade gasoline with no detonation (unless there was detonation and the knock sensor got it and retarded timing without me knowing!). Since every degree of advance yields just about 1 horsepower... I'm guessing I got about a 5 hp increase. Not much and its barely felt at low mid engine speeds, but upper rpm's u can feel it a bit more. And Im almost positive your engine can be advanced. SO easy to do if youhave a gun and know what you're doing.

[Bitter]

i'd be careful with 16 deg base timing and 87 octane. im running 89 octane with 15deg base and ive had some detonation. never tripped the light, but theres some telltale signs in the exhaust manifold, shiny little bits of aluminum that are from the pistons most likely. a little bit of piston gets blasted loose and cools to the exhaust runner. its enough to make me worry and retard it to 13 base, im doing that tomorrow.

[JoeyIsFunny]

Hmm, Im pretty sure if you had detonation you'd be hearing it... unless they were tiny little pings.... and even then pings tiny enough not to be heard and not enough to alert the knock sensor would probably not be enough to chip the pistons... just my $0.02... I could very well be wrong. I've been planning on going to 89 octane anyway just to be safe on the next fuel up.

[Bitter]

its not chipped piston, its aluminum melted and blasted off of some surface in the chamber, usually the edge of a piston. ive never heard anything, im very attentive to my engine/car and its noises. the only check engine lights ive had were related to some bad wiring to my trans causing a monitored signal to be lost on ocassion.

[klm317]

i only have the one bolt on my 5S-FE, so does that mean there is no way to adjust my timing. if i actually can, what would be the best way to go about it?