Ignition Timing Questions ?
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From: Northern, VA
Ignition Timing Questions ?
I did a search and all this talk about "Ignition Timing" is confusing me.
For example, stock ignition timing is set at 16 BTDC but when you advance the timing to 18 BTDC you gain power and retard to 14 BTDC you lose power.
Wouldn't you gain more power if it was at 14 BTDC since the air/fuel mixture is more compressed?
And also, when I think about it, as the piston moves up to 0 TDC, if the air/fuel mixture is ignited much earlier, wouldn't more power be wasted since there are 2 forces going against each other? (Piston going up vs. the force of air/fuel being ignited)
Can someone explain? I'm confused ...
Modified by BG Boost at 12:50 PM 12/13/2003
For example, stock ignition timing is set at 16 BTDC but when you advance the timing to 18 BTDC you gain power and retard to 14 BTDC you lose power.
Wouldn't you gain more power if it was at 14 BTDC since the air/fuel mixture is more compressed?
And also, when I think about it, as the piston moves up to 0 TDC, if the air/fuel mixture is ignited much earlier, wouldn't more power be wasted since there are 2 forces going against each other? (Piston going up vs. the force of air/fuel being ignited)
Can someone explain? I'm confused ...
Modified by BG Boost at 12:50 PM 12/13/2003
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From: Auckland, NZ, New Zealand
Re: Ignition Timing Questions ? (BG Boost)
When the spark plug fires it takes time for the air fuel mixture to burn, creating the force to push the piston down.
When you advance the timing the spark plug fires when the piston is still coming up, the air fuel mix burns, creating pressure, which is there when the piston starts to go down.
When you retard the timing the pressure when the piston starts to go down is not as high.
When you advance the timing the spark plug fires when the piston is still coming up, the air fuel mix burns, creating pressure, which is there when the piston starts to go down.
When you retard the timing the pressure when the piston starts to go down is not as high.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Hendersonville, NC
Re: Ignition Timing Questions ? (ryanstev)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ryanstev »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When the spark plug fires it takes time for the air fuel mixture to burn, creating the force to push the piston down.
When you advance the timing the spark plug fires when the piston is still coming up, the air fuel mix burns, creating pressure, which is there when the piston starts to go down.
When you retard the timing the pressure when the piston starts to go down is not as high.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Agreed completely.
When you advance the timing the spark plug fires when the piston is still coming up, the air fuel mix burns, creating pressure, which is there when the piston starts to go down.
When you retard the timing the pressure when the piston starts to go down is not as high.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Agreed completely.
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