hesitation under boost

[superhoss37]

right now i've been running stock timing (20 btdc) and about 6.5-7 psi of boost. im only managing to make 14.5 1/4 mile passes with 3" catback exhaust and a downpipe dumped wastegate. ive tried retarding my base timing down to 16 btdc but the car loses some major power in boost and feels as if it's hesitating. ive tried gapping the plugs down and gapping them back up, nothing works. i also have the msd btm set to .5 degrees retard per psi of boost. that acts the same way as if i just set base timing to 16 degrees with the hesitation under boost and what not. what could the problem be? upgrade my ignition to a stronger spark?

[huguetpj]

How bout your AFRs?

[superhoss37]

they're a little iffy around 4k but still....it only bogs when i retard the timing under boost. at stock timing it doesnt bog

[huguetpj]

So it bogs WHEN retarding timing. I'm stumped. Sorry

[Ubernoober]

Are you retarding timing because you are getting detonation/ improper ignition? If not there would be no reason to retard the timing. Pulling your timing back may be CAUSING your hesitation.

[WDRacing]

In a optimum set of circumstances, you only have to retard timing based on detonation. Only running 8 psi and below shouldn't give you any detonation if you've got the right fuel added.

Retarding timing will always make you lose power and increase your EGT's. Thats really the only problem with the MSD BTM. Its a stupid box in reality, if it could be programmed to start retard at higher cylinder pressures like you get under higher boost it would rock. But it starts far to early IMO. However, it's one of the ONLY cheap ways available. Without having to right your own timing maps on a standalone or buying a JWT ECU.

I use the MSd Knock Meter. If I don't get any knock I don't retard timing. But I also like to run alcohol or methonal, whichs allows alot higher boost without detonation.

WD