How do I adjust the timing on my 97 TJ

[PolloLoco]

I want to advance the hell out of my spark timing so that I can use the FTC1 to control it. The FTC1 can only retard the timing, but up to 20 degrees. I want to advance it for use with my E85 high compression build. E85 can take more spark advance than regular gasoline. I know that the Comp 68-231-4 has 4 degrees advance, but I'm leaning towards the Mopar 28AB cam now, too many horror stories with cam failure for Comp (that's another discussion altogether, is it ZDDP, break-in, or product quality?) and the Mopar increases my DCR a bit more.

I also want to advance it to a proper amount that I can retard it enough to run on premium fuel if E85 is not available. That is the purpose of the FTC1 after all, check out their supercharged TJ: http://www.splitsec.com/spike/jeep/spikejeep.htm

[gradon]

You can slot the cps and move it closer to the passenger side to get 2 or so degrees more. You can install a chip such as the jet2 that has timing advances built into it(I should throw mine in and datalog and compare it to a log w/o to see the exact amount it does advance). Too bad the ftc can't be used to advance.

[PolloLoco]

I've read that the chips (Jet, Unichip) can advance the timing but I don't need to be using two add-on computers. I just don't understand why it is so difficult for Split Second to just make the damn FTC1 be able to advance the timing, they're halfway there at least.

[SilverXJ]

I thought the way it worked was that you retarded the timing 340* if you wanted 20* advance.

[PolloLoco]

The FTC1 can only retard up to 20 degrees. There is someone on the forum here who suggested a lot of retarding in order to advance but the Split Second tech that I've been emailing tells me that it cannot work that way. My response to him:

What prevents the FTC1 from being able to advance the timing? I am sure that I'm not the only one who would like a product that can advance the timing to my liking. The timing can be retarded, what would be so difficult to design the product/software to advance the timing?

I'll just have to wait for his response.

[gradon]

I'm the one that suggested that based on their downloadable Utune.pdf that states that a signal can be delayed 350* in order to advance it 10*--I guess they wanted people to know the theory but not expect their product to be able to do it. I still like split sec though and they have awesome customer service.

[PolloLoco]

I'm the one that suggested that based on their downloadable Utune.pdf that states that a signal can be delayed 350* in order to advance it 10*--I guess they wanted people to know the theory but not expect their product to be able to do it. I still like split sec though and they have awesome customer service.

I read the same thing in their Utune.pdf. I've been emailing back-and-forth with Mark from Split Second and referenced that statement and this was his response:
The FTC1 can only retard timing. The range is from 0-20 degrees.

I just want a customizable tool to allow me to change my fuel and timing curves, is that so much to ask for?

[PolloLoco]

The FTC1 can only retard up to 20 degrees. There is someone on the forum here who suggested a lot of retarding in order to advance but the Split Second tech that I've been emailing tells me that it cannot work that way. My response to him:

What prevents the FTC1 from being able to advance the timing? I am sure that I'm not the only one who would like a product that can advance the timing to my liking. The timing can be retarded, what would be so difficult to design the product/software to advance the timing?

I'll just have to wait for his response.

Mark's response:
The design of the FTC1 does not allow for timing advance. It can be done. We do not have any product plans in the near future for a timing controller that will do timing advance.

Sons of bitches! That's a pretty ambiguous answer there. "We could do it, but we don't plan on doing it."