Well, to maximize performance & mpg, I run 16BTDC. In order to do that, you want to maximize thermal transfer to avoid ping. Same reason i run stock nic plated copper core plugs rather than double platinums. To reduce combustion chamber temps. Any advance over stock 10BTDC will show improvement in both performance & MPG.

At 16BTDC you have to have all your ducks in a row. I also run a 180F thermostat to ensure lower cylinder temps, and still allow closed loop function. You only need 5-7 degrees above 180F for closed loop. Once cylinders reach thermal ping threshold it is difficult to drop below that threshold once is reached.

In engines (especially using tap or well water, Scale bakes onto the surfaces of the internal passages which impedes thermal transfer. This is why, as engines add more scale (& thermal transfer impedance), you see your temp gauge become more active, attempting to compensate for it's reduced ability to transfer heat from the engine block. This is why all radiator manufacturers recommend using "distilled" water.

Anyway, most trucks can usually tolerate 14BTDC w/ a 195F thermostat w/o a problem. Even 12BTDC would be helpful.

A product that really helps engines control engine temps, is "Water Wetter". One bottle can really help temp spikes due to increased engine load, including running the A/C.

When bumping timing, it's important to bump only a degree or two at a time. When ping is observed under load, reduce advance 2 degrees.
Also be satisfied w/ what you get w/ 87 octane (w/ an otherwise stock engine). Running a higher octane will almost alway's end up biting you in the @ss later. I do run 89 octane on road trips where I'm averaging 75-80 mph through both tanks nonstop.

 

thanks for the info. I've bumped the timing to 13 on my f150 a week ago. I'm not sure if I noticed a difference in performance or not, but a few more tanks will show if I've improved mileage. I didn't think having a MAF truck would matter, but I've heard that these trucks have a Crank Position Sensor, which might allow the computer to compensate for the timing advance.