JT is fairly sure that when using FAST on his 8V setup that he was only running I believe it was 10, or 12, or something like that advance when it was running so strong. I see that as far lower than what even a very good 8V head would require to make the power he did.
Yes and I as well as most would agree with that being very low timing for an 8valve
A pent roof head is surely different, but too little is just as shitty as too much in my opinion.
Yes, you have to work w/ what fuel you have meaning add timing or boost till you get knock, then watch the EGT's till they get too high for your liking and find a happy medium
Having said that, we've ran 26 psi on one of Bill's 20G kits on straight pump gas on a stock motor SRT4. Where was that 15 psi max again?
Did you read exactly what was written, w/ higher compression than the stock SRT4 this was the suggestion. I also would believe that this is a conservative estimate.
A Honda I tuned is on a 9.0:1 CP piston bottom end, stock GSR head (similar to an SRT4 if it helps) with a very nice array of supporting modifications, EQ tubular header, big plenum intake, GT3076R, AEM, 1000cc injectors, etc. That car made 426 whp and 289 wtq at 18 psi, with 18* timing. Pump 93 octane, zero issues. A boosted H22 I tuned made 406 whp 305 wtq at only 15 psi on a 72mm ITS, with around 17* advance.
DCR has a good point too. With big turbo cars, rasing the boost is much easier to make power than timing, and generally safer. How many times has he made successful passes with that car though? I hate to put it that way, but really, for someone that preaches a safe tune what kept happening that wouldn't allow him to make a pass consistantly? But damn did it rip when it held together!!
The most knowledgable and best tuner I've seen work does a friends Eclipse, on straight pump gas the car can run 20-21 psi using a 35R on a 2.3 bottom end, 8.5:1 compression. It goes 11.38 @ 124 mph in a 3300 lb, leather lined luxury machine.