PCM Diagnostics & Tuning HP Tuners | Holley | Diablo
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Battling Knock Retard... Is if False?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-30-2002, 08:04 AM
  #1  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
 
MattG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Burlington, ON
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Battling Knock Retard... Is if False?

I have been having knock retard problems now for quite awhile. It starts around 4000rpm at WOT and will keep building all the way until I shift. On the street when its cool out I will only see 3-5 degrees, but when its warm or I am at the track I will see up to 7-9 degrees of KR.

When I am at the track I run Sunoco 94 with a bottle of NOS Off-Road Octane Boost, my engine is 11.5 CR, and I have LS1edit so I have played with the timing advance and set it anywhere from 24 degrees down to 19 degrees from 4200rpm - 5500rpm and the KR still happens. Even though I get quite a bit of KR, I NEVER EVER hear a sound out of the engine, and I cannot feel it stumble like an engine normally does when detonating.

Does anyone feel this might be false knock retard? Where would I start looking if it was? Would it be wrong for when I go to the track to turn down the Max KR by RPM to like 3 degrees?

When I am at the track, with 8-9 degrees of KR, I am only pulling like 12 degrees timing advance which is terribly ripping down my trap speeds by at least 5 or 6mph.

Anyone else ever encounter a problem like this? Any experiences someone could share would be greatly appreciated
Old 08-30-2002, 08:53 AM
  #2  
TECH Apprentice
 
C_Williams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Earth
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Battling Knock Retard... Is if False?

If you are positive that it's false knock, desensitize the sensors.
Old 08-30-2002, 09:31 AM
  #3  
TECH Apprentice
 
dissonance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Princeton, IN
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Re: Battling Knock Retard... Is if False?

I have spent sometime fighting KR also, when I seem to have it I don’t... I went back to a paper filter. That seemed to help I think the car runs a little better all around with the frame!! I don’t think I have ever got over 3.9 degrease pulled out at one time. Mine shows up at WOT and Part Throttle,

I removed my lid, 85mm maf, htpp tuning, iat!, and holly air filter.

I have used two cans of gm top engine cleaner. One can of seafoam and added a can to my gas. I think the seafoam works the best, I could tell a difference in the way the car runs.

One thing you must do is stop the oil from getting in to the intake. I tried smh mod “it help but did not stop all of the oil” I have an air compressor filter installed right now and it seems to work. I can send you some pictures if you like.
Old 08-30-2002, 01:53 PM
  #4  
TECH Apprentice
 
TrentSS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Hickory, NC
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Re: Battling Knock Retard... Is if False?

You may want to run some unleaded 100 octane or, in your case with increased compression, try unleaded 110 octane. This is one of the best ways to determine if it's false knock or not. There's a good chance that it is false since you don't audibly hear the motor ping when you see 7 to 9 degrees (that's some serious knock retard).
Old 08-30-2002, 03:15 PM
  #5  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
2MCHPWR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Slate Hill, NY
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default Re: Battling Knock Retard... Is if False?

just some ideas:
-hook up a fuel pressure gauge to fuel rail; make sure you are seeing over 50 lbs., preferably around 55.
- check injector pulse width with atap. under WOT i think you want to see 19-22.

if both of these tests are within safe zones, you should check to see if any exhaust components or suspension pieces are banging the chassis. if still nothing, try nineballs KO box to desensitize the knock sensors.

good luck!!!!!!!!
Old 09-01-2002, 01:38 AM
  #6  
Moderator
iTrader: (10)
 
John B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,253
Received 14 Likes on 7 Posts

Default Re: Battling Knock Retard... Is if False?

IF, you are sure it is false knock, here are several things that you can immediately do to restore power:
</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">reduce the total number of degrees that the knock retard can take out of your timing (max retard vs. load table)</font></li>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">increase the "Decay vs. RPM" values by ~150% to return to stock timing faster once KR is sensed</font></li>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Reduce values in "attack vs. RPM by ~50% to slow down how much the KR comes on</font></li>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">copy the values from your high octane table and type these into your low octane table (this is a pain because you cannot import the numbers, they have to be typed in)</font></li>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You will see an immediate gain in your WOT timing....we just did this tonight on a '98 H/C car that was only getting 15-16° timing at WOT and now it consistently sees 27° to 30° at WOT and it is night and day difference performance-wise <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> Hope this helps.
Old 09-01-2002, 08:11 AM
  #7  
On The Tree
 
Bearcat Steve's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Battling Knock Retard... Is if False?

Depending on the year of your vehicle, GM released several PCM updates that address the issue of overly aggresive knock retard. I have the web address at work that will allow you to input your VIN. The site will come back to you with a list of PCM updates for your car (assuming a "relatively" stock automobile). I'll post the address Tuesday morning unless someone else has it handy.
Old 09-01-2002, 01:29 PM
  #8  
TECH Addict
 
ChrisB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: College Station, Tx
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Battling Knock Retard... Is if False?

If you are running lean at WOT you can even be seeing spark pre-ignition at 13-15 degrees of timing. If you have access to a wideband that would be a good tool. Otherwise I would

1) Try richening the PE vs RPM by a fixed amount (so you can take it back out later if needed). Say increase it by 110-115 percent. This should knock you down a full a/f point richer.

2) Fill up with 104 unleaded.

If you are running verifiably rich and with 104 and still getting the same amount of knock retard I would suggest some sort of false reading. First I would replace the knock sensors and torque them to spec. If that doesn't help I would start adressing an "overly sensitive" knock sensor through programming.

Chris
Old 09-01-2002, 08:14 PM
  #9  
TECH Enthusiast
 
Chris99WS6PWTMET's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Orange Park, FL
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Battling Knock Retard... Is if False?

I battled KR for over a month after my TR224 install. I swapped pulleys, ran race gas, tuned with Edit, did a top engine clean - basically went round and round with it (and lost!!) My dumbass finally got around to putting a fuel pressure gauge on it and found out that my stock pump is no longer running as designed. My pressure dropped to around 45psi at WOT in the top of 2nd and into 3rd. I would recommended checking your fuel pressure along with all of the other great ideas given earlier. I'm currently waiting on the Racetronix PnP for the 99's. Good Luck to you.
Old 09-02-2002, 12:56 AM
  #10  
On The Tree
 
TA/30th 1002's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Michigan
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Battling Knock Retard... Is if False?

An ARE 436 ci LS1 definately puts you into an "out of the norm" catagory.

Did you engine ever run right? Or is this a problem that has developed?

Ron



Quick Reply: Battling Knock Retard... Is if False?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:17 PM.