High Speed Retard Question

[D. Hake 4459]

Those of you that use a high speed retard, how much do you think it picked up your combination, how many degrees do you retard, is it high gear only, & at what rpm do you activate it? Thanks

[Jeff Lee]

I tried it in 4th gear only. Didn't do a thing in my application. Took it out. Your results may vary.

[Tony Curcio]

High gear retard was an old trick that worked back when Sunoco 260 was the highest octane gasoline available. Ray Allen had a switch on the shifter of the famous SS/EA Chevelle convertible that sold at auction a few times in recent years. It still is worth something when the rules limit your fuel, or in boosted applications.

After a few experiments, I found a consistent one or two hundredths at an elevated track, when switching from C12 to C11. The track in question is about 900 feet above sea level. Just switching to the lower octane C11 showed gains at the 60, 330 and 660 foot timers, but a loss at 1,000 and 1320.

Connecting the ign retard to a switch that activated when the shifter moved to high gear resulted in the small, but measurable gain referenced above.
Back home at sea level, the lower octane fuel does nothing for my combo, so no need for the high gear retard.

[D. Hake 4459]

Thanks guys, that's the kind of info I need. I'm just trying to get educated on this subject as much as I can. I have heard of a few class racers that use a high speed retard and their combination picks up. I would like to hear from some of them to hear they do it. Thanks again

[Jeff Lee]

Now if you wanted "low gear" application instead of "high gear" application , then you might here responses with better results.

[D. Hake 4459]

Is there something to be had in lower gears by retarding or advancing? I shift at 6500 and cross the stripe at 7000. I run 43 degrees timing and I think it may be detonating a little at high rpm.

[Robert Simpson]

Originally Posted by D. Hake 4459

Is there something to be had in lower gears by retarding or advancing? I shift at 6500 and cross the stripe at 7000. I run 43 degrees timing and I think it may be detonating a little at high rpm.

You could experiment. Since you run at 43deg. Make a run at that timing. Then make a big change, 38 deg as a example. Then make a run. Look at your split times for both runs and see if it makes a difference. If you have a better back half at 38 but it runs the front half at 43deg best, then you are onto something. You can try this before investing in something. Just a thought.

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by Robert Simpson

You could experiment. Since you run at 43deg. Make a run at that timing. Then make a big change, 38 deg as a example. Then make a run. Look at your split times for both runs and see if it makes a difference. If you have a better back half at 38 but it runs the front half at 43deg best, then you are onto something. You can try this before investing in something. Just a thought.

Great idea, never thought about doing that.

What I was talking about is reducing timing on the start to kill power & help with traction. Some of the more powerful cars are cutting back timing at shift points. You would need a data logger to evaluate.

[George Mirza]

I've seen improvements in heavy low compression cars, where you need a lot of timing in 1st and 2nd then pull it back in high. But that was years ago when the rules weren't as liberal.

[nhramnl]

My next door neighbor is a high speed retard.