I’ve seen topics on 4 or so degree static ignition advance, by turning the pick up mount holes into slots and moving the pick up ‘back’. The articles seemed to relate to the newer 3TJ motor? They showed the pick up attached to the stator cover. My 3EN1 has the pick up attached to the engine cases and no timing inspection hole in the cover. Is the mod suitable for the 3 EN1? Same deal, just hack into the holes and push the pick up over?

Not sure I'd recommend it unless you know what you're doing. That said my bimota (GSXR 1100W engine) has the timing advanced, you might want to do this as part of an overall tuning package.
What you're say (to slot the timing pickup mount) sounds feasible though and given the 3tj and 3en engines are close to each other I'd think it should work.

Thanks EC. I’m running stock compression, just a stock motor with FCRs. I’m gonna give it a go, use premium and see if I can detect any detonation above the deafening intake roar (no air box or filters) and raucous exhaust. What can possibly go wrong. I’m going to a drag race of all things at the Geelong Revival next weekend and am classed against 500s, so I need all the grunt I can get for no time and money spent. It’ll likely only help off the line as the rest of the time it’ll be screaming and the advance unlikely to help at all.

I’ve finished the bike and will try to work out how to post photos.

Cool

I have done it on my stock 3EN1, simple job. does make it feel a bit crisper.

Ran out of time to do the ignition mod. Did run a 12.6 1/4 mile at Geelong though, which I was happy with, especially given the track had a corner in it.

How did the bike run … ?
The numbers don't mean much to me tbh

Sorry for delayed response. Still no ign mod but at Geelong the bike ran great. The published 1/4 mike time for FZRs is around 12.9 or 13 seconds. The SP is 13 or more, likely due to that high first gear. So I was happy with 12.6, the improvement over stock being those FCR carbs. After the first couple of runs, in the wet, my 13.6 was 4th fastest, with the bigger bikes struggling to put their power down, but my piddly torque was easier to handle so less wheel spin. Once it dried out though they started to run low 10s and maybe a 9, so really 12.6 means I got flogged. I dead beat a couple of Widow Maker 2 stroke Kawi 750 triples though. 12.6 is actually quite good for a 400. RGV 250s usually run 13s.

I’ve found another bike, a 3 EN2. It is rough, but complete and runs fine with seemingly only 13k on the clock. Might turn this one into the track bike and keep the mint one for posing. Just gotta find another set of FCRs.

Cool

I've had a couple of 3en2's …. check the downpipes

Easiest way to do this is an offset woodruff key or carefully file a standard 1. File a step into it so you can move the flywheel round slightly. Factory pro used to sell offset keys. My 600 is 5deg advance and seems to work well.