LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Knock retard issues ever since new engine was installed

Old 08-30-2009, 09:57 PM
  #1  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
AdsoYo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 1,341
Received 61 Likes on 42 Posts

Default Knock retard issues ever since new engine was installed

I've been daily driving my new 383 for about 8,000 miles now and have had constant -but not consistent- knock retard ever since the thing was installed. It does it in open loop 100% of the time. I'll give it gas and there is noticeable lack of power and the knock retard on my scanmaster will show degrees proportional to the amount of throttle I'm giving. If I keep letting the rpm's climb, it will hit a point around 3,500 where all the power will come back and the car pulls like it should. This happens at part throttle as well as open. When I shift gears it will bog again until I hit the right rpm and get it's power back. The exhaust sounds like garbage during all this, really raspy, kinda slappy... hard to explain. Sometimes it'll pop when I shift, sometimes it won't. I noticed when I come to a stop on an incline with the car facing down, the engine almost dies then catches itself. Only on an incline, and only in open loop. It used to do it all the time, open loop, closed loop, flat road, uphill. Now just facing downhill in open loop. Very strange.

It shows knock retard very often in closed loop too, but not all the time. I have a datamaster file of the car doing what I'm describing. Unfortunately it was the first time I used the software and didn't start recording until the car was in closed loop, but it shouldn't make a difference, it was showing all kinds of knock.

I've been trying to set up an FTP but it's kicking my butt so I'll email it to whoever will look at it for now. I have the datamaster file in .uni and .csv for those who don't have the program. I'll take any help I can get, this is my DD and I have this bad feeling it's gonna crap the bed at any time.

Last edited by AdsoYo; 08-30-2009 at 10:04 PM.
Old 09-01-2009, 09:17 AM
  #2  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
AdsoYo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 1,341
Received 61 Likes on 42 Posts

Default

bump for the morning crew
Old 09-01-2009, 10:42 AM
  #3  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (6)
 
97camaross's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: pearland texas
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

is there a way to get the opti on wrong
Old 09-01-2009, 10:56 AM
  #4  
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
TurboBob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Detroit MI
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

any dtc's ?

who did the tune?

Bob
Old 09-01-2009, 11:53 AM
  #5  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (17)
 
AChotrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 9,896
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

You sure the rockers are on right and not loose? Mine was getting knock retard when the rocker broke.
Old 09-01-2009, 12:21 PM
  #6  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (9)
 
buffman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Kzoo, MI
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

didn't install those knock sensors too tight did you? 14 ft lbs is the MAX, and I generally take them to 11-12.
Old 09-01-2009, 01:57 PM
  #7  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
AdsoYo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 1,341
Received 61 Likes on 42 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by 97camaross
is there a way to get the opti on wrong
No, it's a keyed vented unit.

Originally Posted by TurboBob
any dtc's ?

who did the tune?

Bob
The only consistent dtc is 24 for the VSS. When the car is barely moving it'll throw a SES light but once I speed up after a few seconds it goes away.

Wong's Performance in Vancouver, WA tuned it. I'm still working with him to figure all this and the MAF issue out. He hasn't looked at the datalog yet, too busy

Originally Posted by AChotrod
You sure the rockers are on right and not loose? Mine was getting knock retard when the rocker broke.
I'm not sure. I haven't had the valve covers off since the engine was put in. Peeking underneath them is on my to-do list though because they seem kinda noisy.

Originally Posted by buffman
didn't install those knock sensors too tight did you? 14 ft lbs is the MAX, and I generally take them to 11-12.
Not sure about that either. I don't have a tool to measure torque but what is 14 ft lbs? About as tight as you can go with a regular wrench?

Thanks for the replies. Still no luck with the FTP, if anyone wouldn't mind reading my datalog, I'll email it.
Old 09-01-2009, 11:49 PM
  #8  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (9)
 
buffman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Kzoo, MI
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

you'll need a good 3/8" torque wrench for knock sensors. it's on the loose side..
Old 09-01-2009, 11:50 PM
  #9  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (12)
 
wrd1972's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Central Kentucky
Posts: 4,649
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Get a better tuner.

Mine knocked new. Now, I never see any KR.
Old 09-02-2009, 12:18 PM
  #10  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
AdsoYo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 1,341
Received 61 Likes on 42 Posts

Default

Haha, I think he's pretty much my only option in this state. He's always got T/A's, vette's, Camaro's from LTx to LSx in that shop too. The knock is a result of a malfunction somewhere, I don't think it can be tuned.

I'll check that knock sensor too, see how tight it is.
Old 09-02-2009, 12:23 PM
  #11  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
myltwon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Posts: 2,969
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

excessive valvetrain noise.

what's your DCR/SCR and plugs/gap?
Old 09-02-2009, 02:58 PM
  #12  
Teching In
iTrader: (8)
 
Speedracer2j's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Killeen, TX
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Just to double check...

I had a similar problem with my build, and it was throwing an odd DTC. Well, I got way under the car to take a look, and on installation the knock sensor wire got torn. Fixed the wire, replaced the sensor, and cleared my codes. Just something to check out. Important lesson learned...don't rush things, espicially when you weren't aware the knock sensor is in a water jacket...warm-hot coolant...me surprised...=nasty mess
Old 09-02-2009, 06:04 PM
  #13  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
AdsoYo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 1,341
Received 61 Likes on 42 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by myltwon
excessive valvetrain noise.

what's your DCR/SCR and plugs/gap?
The only info I have on the compression ratio is from Golen's site where he says it's 11:1. The plugs are Autolite 103's, his recommendation for his N/A engines.

I also tested the ks wire for continuity a while back and it checked out.


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Knock retard issues ever since new engine was installed



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:50 PM.