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[T Rex]

Hi everyone! I'm a new (1993 N/A 5 speed) car owner and obviously new to the forum. I am looking to bump up my ignition timing a bit for more performance to enhance the header, cold air intake, and flowmaster exhaust the previous owner installed.

The problem is, I don't know what the stock timing is or how much I can bump it up. I searched on here but got confused because I heard 2 degrees stock and also 8 degrees stock. Can you help me figure it out? I imagine I can add 2 or 3 degrees and that would help.

Thanks for your help!!

[T Rex]

Anyone that can help? Thanks!

[tonlaw71]

www.techcapri.com has the entire service manual for the car, you can get all the timing specs from there. I don't know anything about bumping the timing, but techcapri is a great resource!!

[Mike.Sasich]

2 deg for NA
8 Deg for Turbo ie XR2

[Rocketman]

Yes, you should be able to bump it - I'm not sure what gains you'll see though. It will affect your idle speed though, there is an adjustment on the throttlebody.

[mitch1204]

Changing the timing will worsen how it runs. It will either cause early or late detonation which has no effect on performance except decreasing it. Think about it, changing the timing the compression stroke is not fully complete or the other way it's opening the exhaust valve while it's still firing sending the energy out the exhaust. I don't think the muffler turns the engine.

Both Capris warm to operating temperature. Hook up your timing light. Disconnect and plug both vacuum lines at the distributor. Disconnect single wire white connector on the right side of the distributor.

Base Capri 2 degrees BTC
Turbo Capri 12 degrees BTC

Double check idle speed after reconnecting everything.

[T Rex]

Great info. Thanks. I will go check my base timing and go from there. It has always helped on other cars I've owned. Seems like the factory sets it for a "safe" range. But there is always room for less safe.. Within reason. Not blowing up anything.

[Rocketman]

Going too far will cause issues, but advancing it a little bit can help, but it seems to vary a lot from engine to engine. Yes you're firing on the compression stroke, but keep in mind that it takes some time for the charge to burn and reach peak cylinder pressure. There's a fine science to it that I'm not interested in learning, at the moment. lol

Just look how far ahead the XR2's timing is in comparison.

Like I said, I don't know what kind of gains you'll see. Try it and let us know

[T Rex]

I increased it 2 degrees and could tell a slight difference. I think I will fill it with 93 octane and bump it up 2 more degrees and see how it runs. If not much, I will back it down and keep running crappy, ethanol, 87 octane and really ruin the car. Haha.