Is there a way to manipulate my timing without a programmer?

 

you can either adjust the tone ring(this is behind the harmonic ballancer and you will need an impact to loosen it) or you can get the rokkteccrank sensor that will give you an extra 2* of timeing. this will not give you any extra juice, however some have reported a little better mileage, cooler running engine, and even the A/C seemed cooler.