Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Advancing my timing, whats a good #?

[Stixx]

I have a tst #5 plate installed in my 94' 2500 ram, 185,000 miles 5 speed.



I heard advancing the timing can help preformance. If so whats a good degree to set it to?

 

[fox]

Do a search on timing as this has been covered before. I think they say the Cummins likes 15-16 degrees.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by Stixx

I have a tst #5 plate installed in my 94' 2500 ram, 185,000 miles 5 speed.



I heard advancing the timing can help preformance. If so whats a good degree to set it to?

Going to 16* got me another 1. 5mpg at the pump if I can keep my foot out of it!:-laf keyword IF



But yeah definately go to 16* BTDC

 

[Stixx]

I talked to a tech in town and he said "advancing the timing will just create more fuel knock and hurt it more then it helps"







I'm new to some of this tweaking so bare with me.

 

[The patriot]

15 -16 is generally what people with slightly modified trucks run.

Any more and you have to start thinking about doing the head gasket soon. Or so I'm told anyway.

Eric

 

[Joe G.]

Advancing the timing does not help with power much at low RPM. It does clean up smoke some and help fuel milage. I'm running 15 degrees advanced on my '95 with a #5 plate. It seems smoother at high RPM with more power. About the same as before below 2000 RPM except that the smoke is not as bad when I step on it.

 

[shendren]

Joe, how often do you check and/or adjust your timing. jessup at cummins adjusted mine to 15. 5deg when i bought mine with 59k mi. just curious. thanks. scott.

 

[Joe G.]

I just set it and forget it. From what I've read about timeing slipping it usually stops the truck when it happens. Or makes it run really bad. No little slips.

 

[CumminsPower98]

16º is working well for me and got me a good 1. 5+ mpg. It runs a lot smoother at idle and is crisper at high speed. I probably lost a tiny bit of low end but not bad. I am somewhere over 300 RWHP.



Mark

 

[kchristopher]

What was the stock timing for a 49 state, 96 model with 5 speed?

 

[drice]

Al told me to do 15. 5 I haven't done it but thats what he said. mine has sliped and it doesn't run for cr@p when its cold.



Kchris I beleive the stock timing is around 12. 5 , not positive someone chime in if that is wrong.

 

[radixr]

Stock Timing

13. 5 deg.

 

[midwestdually]

i had mine set at 16* and the guy told me that it was at 6* b4 that. . not sure if that was possible as i dont know much about timing and what not but the truck was REAL DOGGY!!