Stock Engine Pinging @ 4K!!!
Stock Engine Pinging @ 4K!!! WTF? I dyno'd my car today (did 2 pulls cause the knock got kinda bad). Had to stop both times short of 6K. Highest I got to was 4,883 RPMs which made 302/325. I've got mods in sig. Temp was right about 90* and humidity was about 29% - middle of the day at around 2,700ft. above sea level (Las Vegas). Is this Hypertech's fault or just an engine in dire need of a tune? I was gonna run it at the track tomorrow but I guess it's not worth putting that much strain on the engine. I know some higher octaine would help but I'm pretty sure that's only a small portion of my problem. Could a bent pushrod have to do with this? I overreved it (but only by about 300 RPMs) about 3 weeks ago but it's been running fine since (daily driving) or maby something else is wrong?... I'm afraid to get on it now past 3.4k RPMs cause I know that it'll knock sooner when the engine's under full load... any ideas? I just might dish out the $150 to have one of the tuners in the LV F-bod association do a HP Tune on it.... not dyno - just a drive around tune. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, Arizona
I fought a pinging problem when I first bought mine, but it didn't start until around 5500 rpm and continued to redline. I live in AZ and I did the following to remove the ping:
1) Oil Catch Can (AMW): oil in the inlet can cause pinging, but it didn't really help mine
2) 160F Thermostat and reset the fans down to 180/190: This fixed my problem, the pinging went away, even when doing dyno pulls
3) SLP Heavy Duty Radiator: probably not necessary, but it made me feel good in Phoenix at 115F
I really doubt that 300 rpm over the redline will bend a pushrod and I doubt even if it were bent it would cause pinging. I've also been worried lately that some stations are selling regular at premium prices because of the shortages. Make sure you get your gas from a reputable dealer.
1) Oil Catch Can (AMW): oil in the inlet can cause pinging, but it didn't really help mine
2) 160F Thermostat and reset the fans down to 180/190: This fixed my problem, the pinging went away, even when doing dyno pulls
3) SLP Heavy Duty Radiator: probably not necessary, but it made me feel good in Phoenix at 115F
I really doubt that 300 rpm over the redline will bend a pushrod and I doubt even if it were bent it would cause pinging. I've also been worried lately that some stations are selling regular at premium prices because of the shortages. Make sure you get your gas from a reputable dealer.
Originally Posted by rotwiler
Have you tried the GM top engine cleaner? I had a pinging problem and it cured it.
)Thanks for the responces. I guess my pinging is 99% heat related... I've heard that a 160* Thermo can be bad for a stock engine (don't know why...) but I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea. Thanks a lot for the input. As for the catch can, I just can't afford to put that much money into such a small upgrade - if it were a new engine, it would probably be 1st thing but I use synthetic oil (Mobile 1) and the engine doesn't eat a drop of oil so I can't justify the $$$ for it. Thanks, guys! .. More input is more than welcome!
-- oh yah... I'm taking that crap Hypertech tune out the second I get home! Gonna unplug the battery and romp on it a lil... show the ECU I'm not fvckin around anymore
- oh yah - after I get either an HP or Dyno tune that is... don't want it to say fvuk you back 
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
You can't really get GM Top End Cleaner in Cali. Maybe in the tiny spray bottles, but not in any useful size. Thank the smog ****'s by helping our environment by making it difficult for our engines to run properly! Anyway, go get some Sea Foam from Napa as a substitute.
I'm PISSED! I decided to pull some timing (pulled it down to 29-27 above 4k) and dropped $20 for about 4 gallons of 100 Octane... track runs (i was told) cost $20.... turns out it's $40 + $20 for the LVFA... thanks a lot, Sam! Needless to say, I didn't get to run. The engine's running great with the pulled timing and 100 octane... but I suppose some Sea Foam may be in order when I get home. Sorry for the rant. More thoughts are very welcome. Thanks again for the input!
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Originally Posted by glennhl
A little off topic, where are you running near Anaheim? Is it that parking lot at Fontana Speedway?
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, Arizona
I want to find a seal level track. I guess it comes down to Fontana or Carlsbad. And I hear neither are very well kept. I go to all the Indycar races in Fontana and the first time I saw the Christmas Tree in the parking lot I started laughing.
Originally Posted by glennhl
I want to find a seal level track. I guess it comes down to Fontana or Carlsbad. And I hear neither are very well kept. I go to all the Indycar races in Fontana and the first time I saw the Christmas Tree in the parking lot I started laughing.
Originally Posted by GTObsessor
Well from what I hear, if you wanna run at Fontana, you gotta wait like 8 hours to run and get there EARLY.
Sorry to hear 'bout your problems.