I've been reading alot about tuning and looking at alot of maps lately. From pretty the majority of the maps I after being tuned the timing is actually advanced compared to the base mod map. IMO, theoretically speaking, you would actually run safer with the base mod ignition maps than you would with most peoples tuned maps. Now this would not of course give you the best power. So from what I've seen if your AFR's were correct, you could actually run say 15psi on the base mod ignition map, assuming you keep the stock sequential system. What are ya'lls thoughts on this??

I am actually running around 13psi with the stock base mod map and I'm seeing constant 20-30s for the knock value with all the bolt on mods, BNR stage2s, and stock ports. I'm also actually running richer at 13psi than I am at 10psi, but I have adjusted the fuel some.

How exactly does the knock sensor work, I can't find any info on this?? Most piston engines from my understanding just retard timing after it has actually knocked, how exactly does the rotary knock sensor give a reading??

 

I don't think it retards your timing when using the Power FC (someone correct me if I'm wrong), I know on the stock ECU it does.

 

Yeah I know that I was just wondering how it reads out anything until it knocks. I believe most sensors just detect knock because it is a distinct sound, and if it isn't knocking it doesn't read anything.

 

The sensor just reads engine noise at a certain frequency that pertains to knock, but within that frequency it can also read other non-knock noises (this is very rare though).

 

Ok, that sounds right, and I've heard that before, maybe I'm just trying to over complicate it in my head.

 

The base mod map is nothing more than a very safe starter map. It depends on what power you want, and what mods you run to do that safely. Stock or single turbo, port design, and boost make the most difference in required timing.

For stock turbos, the base mod map's timing is too conservative. For stock ports and single turbo, It's close.

 

That's exactly my thoughts. It is safe to run the stock maps with twins and a stock port, but you are going to be down on power due to very conservative timing, which I'm is Apex'i covering their self. This is the main reason I've wondered why so many people think the base maps are so unsafe, and claim if you do any mods to a stock engine it needs tuning. I can see adjusting the AFR's(which most anyone can do) but as for timing I believe it is safe you will just be down on power compared to someone running the same mods with it being tuned.

I plan on trying to run 14-15psi when I upgrade the fuel system, and I believe if I start with making the AFR's safe then work on timing I should be ok. I had rather have a car alittle low on power than running on the edge anyway due to I don't race straight line very often and I like track days/autoX and I usually cut the boost down to help cooling on the track anyway.

What kind of timing differences are you looking at on a street port compared to a stock port?? I've been told to take 3-4 degrees out and start from there.