If when I get my car dynoed, I have them adjust the timing for max hp, will that be considered ideal timing? I wouldn't imagine it having any problems at that setting, but being new to diesels I just want to make sure.
Max power might not correlate to nice starting in the colder months (I know in the TDI there are limits for sure). Another thing to consider is fuel quality and the varibility it seems to be (around here it seems some good tanks others are crap), so the optimum might change with each tank as far as the advance is concerned (since cetane will change a bit with each tank).
max power (hp) is a good place to start Me I would go for max TORQUE this is the real power.. the twist the engine produces this moves the car