I am wondering if air/fuel ratio and timing are independent from each other in terms of tuning for max torque. For example, if I get my WOT AFR dialed in to a rich value (forced induction) that is showing the best torque, and then I tune the ignition table, is that same AFR still going to be ideal with the altered ignition timing?

I know the trend is to tune fuel tables first and then ignition tables, but after tuning ignition, is it ever beneficial to go back and make small adjustments to the fuel tables?

 

you can run any ignition table you desire with your desired AFR. Re-tuning the AFR after altering your ignition table may change the power very minutely if any. just tune your motor for what AFR you prefer and style your ignition table to how much torque you want your motor to produce, and be sure to read your plugs!

 

Yes... Start out with fuel tables(safe timing), then move into timing tables to achieve best power, then move back to fuel tables to touch up and areas that may have been affected by timing changes. You shouldnt find much change necessary, but doesnt hurt to touch up the few lean/rich spots in the map

 

+1

that's a better explanation

 

This.

 

this is how i do it as well

 

x2 to the repeated quote above.

to add though, you asked about the correlation between the two. so to help answer that:
when afr is set properly, timing will affect the afr reading. if timing is too retarded or too advanced, it will read leaner. if timing is set close to ideal, it will read richer.
ie: if you're running 12.5 afr at full throttle for low boost, and you advance timing 2 degrees and afr now goes to 12.0, that usually means the engine is liking the additional timing. if it stays at 12.5 though, that usually means the lower ignition setting was better. if adding the two degrees makes it read leaner, like 13.0, that usually means it's way too much timing and is now starting to detonate, and you should pull the 2 degrees back out and pull an additional 2 degrees out as well and start over.
and after tuning the timing, if it required some decent changes to the timing, afr will usually go out of whack, and now is the time to go back and touch up the fueling again.

its not uncommon to start with a flat afr graph, then tune timing and have the afr graph be bouncy as hell all over the place. just always keep an eye on afr and never let it get too lean or too rich.

you'll also occasionally see afr be too lean and run a little rough, and seemingly find that it takes a LOT of additional fuel to get afr to where it should be, but it'll still run rough. this is usually an indication that you either have waaaaay too much timing or waaaaay too little timing. usually too little though. so add some timing and watch afr plummet richer lol as the engine suddenly runs a million times smoother. this type of situation usually occurs when part throttle tuning.