This paper describes the combustion and emission characteristics as well as engine performance according to the narrow spray angle and advanced injection timing for homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion in dimethyl ether (DME) fueled diesel engine. The bowl shape of the piston head was modified to apply the narrow spray angle and advanced injection timing. The spray, combustion and emission characteristics in a DME HCCI engine were calculated by using numerical method of the KIVA-3 V code coupled with the detailed chemical kinetic model of DME oxidation. Model validation was conducted by a comparison of experimental results for the accurate prediction. The injection timing ranging from BTDC 80 degrees to BTDC 10 degrees and two fuel masses were selected to evaluate the combustion, emission and engine performance. The calculated results were in good accordance with the experimental results of the combustion and emissions of the engine. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions at injection timing before BTDC 30 degrees remarkably decreased, while hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions at an injection timing of BTDC 70 degrees showed high levels. Also, the IMEP and ISFC have decreasing and increasing patterns respectively as the injection timing was advanced. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.