Timing advancement. Whats best?

[MixxyMatosis]

Had a quick search and returned not alot in regards to tinkering with the timing. I've got a cambelt change to do pretty soon and I thought I'd couple it with this 'mod' that we all so love but I'm not really that clued up on what I should go for. From what I can tell, the common options are 14,16 and 18 Degrees BTDC, so what do you guys think will be best for my UK 1600?

Cheers

Lee

[MX-5 Lazza]

There is a noticeable benefit going from 10 to 14. Any more than that the change is harder to notice and the likelihood of needing to run super unleaded increases so for therefore 99% just go for 14 and know they are safe

[MixxyMatosis]

Well thats settled that then, thankyou very much I'll report back as soon as its done.

[GravelBen]

As said above, 14° is pretty commonly accepted. More than that starts to lose top-end power in exchange for more mid-range torque IIRC.

[MixxyMatosis]

Ah, well that seems like a bit of a false economy then as the 5' at its best at the top end and quite frankly that's how I like it. Definitely 14 it is then.

[rob0971]

Higher mid range torque is better for everyday driving & how often & for how long do you drive at 7000 rpm?
I know what i would rather have.

[MixxyMatosis]

For me rob, that's an awful lot. On every drive I'm guaranteed to take her all the way round at least a few times Well Got the cam belt done, Its a continental one and It whines like a goodun, much to my pleasure. Turns out she was already set at 14 btdc, Bit gutted really as I was looking forward to feeling the benifits but at least its where I want it. Big smiles all round

[MX-5 Lazza]

Hitting 7k a few times on a drive is pretty easy on the engine. Being kept at 6-7k for the whole 1/2 hour of a race (or however long they are) is very hard on them

[MixxyMatosis]

Fortunately for me I'm not a track slag then......yet

[pbirkett]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Hitting 7k a few times on a drive is pretty easy on the engine. Being kept at 6-7k for the whole 1/2 hour of a race (or however long they are) is very hard on them

Shouldnt be too bad on a standard engine though, as they're very understressed?

[MX-5 Lazza]

Standard engine will take it just fine as long as the cooling system is up to scratch. Even mine with lots of power handles a day of thrashing on track without a problem.