I've had four early CRX-si's. In every one of them, I've set the timing as far ahead as I can, and it makes the engine run with more power, and produces better gas mileage. I can't find any downside to it. I had one of them running this way for over 100,000 miles. It still ran fine. As far as I can tell (and this is largely a guess), the factory timing is a way to beat the EPA emmissions standards. Once it's been imported, and the EPA is satisfied, is there any reason not to set the timing ahead again?

When I do this, I usually pull both vacuum hoses off the distributor and plug them. I originally did this because the vacuum diaphragm had torn ($600 to replace it, yeah right). It ran so good that I decided to try it with my other CRX's. They definitely run better, and have more power and better mileage. Once a year I have to set the timing to factory spec to get the emissions tested (California, not EPA), and I drive it that way for a week or two. I'm always very relieved to get it back to the "good" timing. Can anyone tell me why I shouldn't do this?

Matt