Rep Power: 0

I just put a AEM cam gear on my 2001 civic EX 5speed and im not sure how far to advance or retard it. I know the right way is to have a prefessional adjust it using a computer to tell how far to go... but I dont have the money so I was hoping mabey someone here could give me alittle advise to get me going in the right direction.

thanks.

 
Rep Power: 424

Its basically useless since you cant phase the intake and the exhaust separately. If you cant have it tuned its even more problematic since you've got no real idea other than the butt dyno of whats going on, and the ignition will likely need to be tweaked with it to accomplish anything.
Either toss it, or leave it straight up (zeroed).
there isnt a general rule of how far to go, every motor reacts differently.