Advance,Straight up or de-advance timing

[Whitettype86]

Now the Question is How should I set the timing on the Cam?

Advance, Straight Up, or De-advance?

 

[PaulRV6]

I would always set it straight up (matching the dots) and then degree the cam to check it against the specs on the card. Only reposition if necessary.

paul

 

[BUICKTR]

Depends on what cam you are installing. Some work well straight up and others may require a little advancing to really make them work on your combo.

 

[Turbo Brian]

Usually when a racer advances a cam, it is to slightly detune a racing cam, not a stocker. The intention is to regain bottom end performance on an engine that is "over cammed."

Stock engines are usually undercammed. Most stock factory cams will pick up mid range performance as the timing chain stretches (retarding the cam) at the expense of low end torque. What is happening is that the entire power band is moving slightly up in the rpm range. These engines can easily handle more than the stock cam as has been proven many times at the race track. With all of the low end that these engines have, retarding 2 or 4 degrees might perk up the 3-5 thousand rpm performance and gain one or two mph.

 

[Joe 1320]

To follow up what was already posted, since you are running an aftermarket cam trial and error is what is called for. Advancing the cam will shift the powerband to a lower rpm, retarding it shifts it higher. I would not try advancing or retarding a 220/220 billet roller at first. The roller already maximizes the profile by manipulating ramp speed using roller lifters vs. flat tappet. The result is the idle and low end is better with the roller than a flat tappet. If after installing straight up, you feel a need for a better low end or a better top end, then go in 2 degree increments until you are either satisfied or you feel it is having a negative effect. Just be advised that what you add on one end, you take away from the other.