I have a 96 GSR with a AEM Cold Air Intake, Magnaflow catback, NGK plugs, Magnacor Wires, and a stage 2 clutch. I recently advanced my timing by moving my distributor counterclockwise. I've driven it for a couple of days now and have not noticed any knocking or anything different. My question is how safe is advancing your timing and are there any long term effects?

 

The most important thing to worry about is detonation.
If you've got a loud exhaust, it can be hard to detect by ear.
Are you using a timing light to make precise adjustments, or are you doing it by feel?

 

No, I adjusted it by feel. How much do those lights run and is that the way I should do this or should I just adjust it back to stock? Thanks.

 

Just as long as you dont hear knocking, your fine.

 

The lights connect to the number 1 spark plug wire and flash whenever the spark goes through that wire. Point it at the crank pulley and it should flash everytime the timing marks on the crank line up. If you have to worry about smog, you need to set it back to smog before you test and you will probably see a drop in power and/or gas mileage if you are running anything more advanced/retarded than stock.

 

Exactly.

My concern is that it's likely that the sound of detonation or knock could be drowned out by that Magnaflow exhaust. h:

IMO, the gains aren't worth it. The stock ignition map is very efficient.

 

Dunno about that... my GS-R revved more readily when I advanced the timing to 18 degrees BTDC