Your factory timing can be anywhere from 14-18 degrees. Factory setting is 16 + 2 - 2. So anywhere from 14-18 is within spec. and your car should run fine. If anything it would help on the sniffer, but that was not your problem. You still passed even thought you were out of time. Being in time is a category they pass you on. Read some of my posts, you'll see all I have gone through most recently in reference to failed smog.