[Jeff Frigo]

Setting timing by ear and listening for detination is not the way to do it. Detonation actually starts before you can hear it. If you have a compression ratio of 10.5 to 1 or less, you should be able to run 92 octane gas without having any detonation.

The correct way to set timing is on a dyno (engine or chassis) or at the drag strip. Start at 30 degrees total advance and measure the hp on the dyno. Then go to 32 degrees and measure again. Keep doing this until the hp goes down. When this happens, you can fine tune down to a one degree increment.

If you go to the drag strip, do the same thing. Keep increasing the timing. The car will get faster and then eventually slow down. Again, then you can fine tune the last degree.

If you have driven a car at the strip, you may not have the experience to be consistent. The chassis dyno is the way to go. Will cost you $200 - $300 to totally dial the engine in. May sound expensive, but think about how much you have invested in your car. Well worth the money.

If you have 11 to 1 comp. or higher, then you will need to run 100 octane or higher. You shouldn't try to reduce the timing in order not to have detonation. You will loose hp this way, and it is difficult to tell when detonation actually starts.