Timing question.

[Xyzzy]

How much does retarding the timing by 1 degree affect the motor in power?

I have an 07 4.6L with no mods other than a dumped Flowmaster, and now, an Edge tuner.

I like to use 87 octane gas and the quality of gas around where I live is real bad for some reason. My truck lightly pings at tip-in at low RPMs under load but if I run colder plugs and retard the timing by 1 degree with my Edge tuner the pinging goes away.

I'm just curious how much power I'm giving up. I run the Level 2 tune.

How far can you retard the timing? Is there a limit before something weird happens?

With just the plug change (2 ranges colder) most of the pinging goes away. The -1 timing takes the rest away.

My mileage hasn't changed and I can't feel any lost power.

My wife's 05 Escape will run on anything.

[LxMan1]

I don't know on these engine. I know that going from 10 BTDC to 15 BTDC on a 5.0 Mustang will gain a dyno proven 10hp. So I would say roughly 2hp per degree.

I've never used an Edge tuner, what does level 2 do? You shouldn't have to run colder plugs. Is the EGR working properly? Is it supposed to be used with higher octane fuel? Retarding the timing defeats the purpose of having the tuner.
I run the 93 octane tune in my 01 and get about 2mpg better than stock tune on 87 octane with alot more power.

[Xyzzy]

Originally Posted by LxMan1

I've never used an Edge tuner, what does level 2 do?

Not sure exactly. They call it the towing mode so it should have more low end torque at the expense of top end power. I bought the tuner to solve the following issues:

Eliminate throttle lag
Adjust shift points (higher)
Adjust shift firmness (harder)
Adjust timing to eliminate pinging
Neat gauges
Totally calibrated speedometer (verified with GPS)

You shouldn't have to run colder plugs. Is the EGR working properly? Is it supposed to be used with higher octane fuel? Retarding the timing defeats the purpose of having the tuner.

The truck is new. All systems are "working as intended" according to the people I had look at it. It only pings mildly under heavy load at low RPMs. I run 87 octane like the manual suggests. I cannot afford more expensive gas. Before I did the mods I tested 93 octane and it cured the slight pinging so I deduced it was a minor timing issue. I just wanted to eliminate that so I dialed back the timing and put in colder plugs. So far it hasn't affected my mileage or driveability and the truck with the tuner makes noticeably more torque than before. I don't really need horsepower but torque I can use.

I'm very happy to get rid of the pinging. I was just curious how much power is derived from advancing the timing.

Thanks!

[LxMan1]

Not much power loss. If it works, then let it ride I guess.
Have you put a load behind it to see how it does then?

[Xyzzy]

Have you put a load behind it to see how it does then?

Yep, no problem. I tow with OD turned off so it never lugs the motor anyways.

[LxMan1]

Good deal.