wondering if anyone what advancing the timing and retarding the timing actual does?
When do you know when to alter this?
:o

last time I checked it adds power..depending on your set up is how much you can or can't adjust the timing...oh and it also depends on what kind of piggy-back or stand-alone you are running, adn type of fuel...etc. etc.. ask the guys who are turbo'd i think they have the most adjusted 8's in the timing department. Charles hill too i think his is changed due to his nitrous set up but don't quote me on that one.

I think I have stumbled on the answer.
Advance the engine = peak torque moves down the rpm range
Retard the engine = more top end speed.
Seems like a trade off.
Advanced engine more lower end grunt.
Retard engine more high end speed.
Please correct me if I am wrong

hmm sounds right..but i think thee are a lot of things to consider..i am not a engine tuner so i hoep some who are pop in..b/c i love learning new things. hmm perhaps i shall go to "how stuff works" :D

I think i'll be right behind you on that one.

this is what how stuff works has to say about it

"Timing
The timing of the spark is important, and the timing can either be advanced or retarded depending on conditions.

The time that the fuel takes to burn is roughly constant. But the speed of the pistons increases as the engine speed increases. This means that the faster the engine goes, the earlier the spark has to occur. This is called spark advance: The faster the engine speed, the more advance is required.

Other goals, like minimizing emissions, take priority when maximum power is not required. For instance, by retarding the spark timing (moving the spark closer to the top of the compression stroke), maximum cylinder pressures and temperatures can be reduced. Lowering temperatures helps reduce the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are a regulated pollutant. Retarding the timing may also eliminate knocking; some cars that have knock sensors will do this automatically. "

but that's all i found during my quick search. :D