do you retard you timing at all?

i will be doing a mitsu 14b turbo with modified Starion intercooler running 8 pounds. fuel will be managed with an inline fuel pump and a 12:1 FMU. I plan on using colder plugs. Do I need to retard my timing?

 

This is a good question! I was going to ask the same.

 

Your best bet would be to get a MSD6 BTM Ignition and a Blaster coil. There are lots of benefits to this setup. First of all the better spark will ensure that you will fire the gas charge every time with a good flame front. We all know that Detonation = BAD THINGS, so your engine will thank you. The BTM also has a module that retards your timing a certain amout for each pound of boost you are running. This amout, between 0-3 deg/psi, is controlled with an included dial you can mount in the dash. You will have to play with it a bit to see what your engine likes, but in the end you'll be happy. Using the BTM you will be able to enjoy the better power of stock timing off of idle before the pressure builds up and also not worry about pre-ignition at high boost levels. Trust me pre-ignition is scary bad, you won't hear it like detonation, but your engine will sound like you are towing a Suburban. It is caused by the fuel mixture igniting from pressure, temperature, or a combination of both much before the piston makes it to TDC. By retarding the timing as boost increases you help prevent such disaster by firing the plugs later. Another fix is to clean and polish the head combustion chambers. Excess carbon deposits can get hot and ignite the fuel charge, especially on boosted engines. Volumes have been written on these types of things, but that is a little info.

 

How much do the MSD BTMs go for? I am on a real tight budget for this project. I only spent 600 on the car and i don't want the turbo setup to cost more than 400.

 

You can pick one up for about $170. You can go without, but I'd stay under 8psi intercooled boost.