PCM Diagnostics & Tuning HP Tuners | Holley | Diablo

Is some KR normal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 31, 2006 | 08:58 AM
  #1  
BigE's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Alabama - The 'Ham
Default Is some KR normal?

I was scanning my car and a friend's car this weekend (both relatively stock) and noticed a few degrees of knock retard on both. I got as much as 4° under WOT. His peaked above 8° and it happened under part throttle (we never took his over 60% TPS). My car has a lid, K&N, pro 5.0, p&p TB and a GMMG. His is an 01 with lid, B&B triflo, lowered, p&p TB and SFC's. He drives his VERY gently (no, really; the car has seen WOT maybe 5 times in it's life). I thought he might be getting KR from his subframes hitting as the suspension flexed. I dunno about mine. My exhaust is kind of close so I'll check to see if it's hitting. But has anyone seen KR on a stock car when nothing was actually wrong?

Just trying to get a feel for the sensitivity of the stock knock sensors...

Thanks
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2006 | 04:50 PM
  #2  
2002_Z28_Six_Speed's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,538
Likes: 1
From: Wash, DC
Default

I have regularly monitored a 96 Grand AM, 02 Cavalier, 01 Suburban, 03 Express with 8.1L, and 02 Camaro.

Anyways, when monitoring these motors they very rarely EVER exhibited KR. When they did it was always less than 4.

I would say there is something wrong if you are seeing that kind of (8 degrees) of KR. I can't say how damaging it would be as you don't see much operating time at 60% TPS.
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 05:45 PM
  #3  
RW99's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 832
Likes: 0
From: Castro Valley, CA
Default

Your car, being a '98, will likely show some false knock. His car, on the other hand, really shouldn't... especially when not at WOT.

Why not fill up your cars with some good race gas and repeat your data acquisition? False KR will still be there, while real knock should disappear, or at least diminish.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2006 | 01:44 PM
  #4  
BigE's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Alabama - The 'Ham
Default

In looking at the data, my car seems to follow that trend, Six_Speed. During a 15 minute trip with TPS from 0 to 100%, my car exibited KR twice, both at WOT. The first time was almost 4° while the second was less than 1°. His on the other hand, showed several times and under part throttle. I remember one time with his being in a turn over some uneven pavement so it may be a simple fix for him.

I don't know if he'd be okay with race gas, but I'd put it in mine. I think a local speed shop sells low high-octane gas (ie. above 93 pump, but not 116) that is O2 friendly. I may try to snag some.

It seems the consensus is that a very small amount of KR is considered normal, but not desirable and only at WOT.

Thanks for the replies.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2006 | 02:17 PM
  #5  
robertbartsch's Avatar
TECH Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
Default

I heard here that rattles and shakes from the chassis do not impact the KR sensors as they are designed to pick up a very specific frequency that occurs during engine detonation....

...there is some discussion of this topic on the "internal engine" forum which talks about using LS1 knock sensors on LS2 motors....

Acetone will reduce knock. Try a few ounces in each tank of your store bought corn gas. You can buy acetone at Home Depo.

I've been using it recently and it really smooths things out.... I'm on my 8th tank and will continue using it.... it improves mileage too!

...ever since they started putting corn based alcohal in the gas here in NY, my car ran poorly..... with the acetone, it runs soooo much better...

I would pull the plugs out of both cars.... while your at it, replace the plug wires, in both cars too. Don't use platinum plugs. Our cars like NGK plugs...

...the short answer is neither car should be having that kind of KR unless it is 115 degrees in the shade and your running **** gas going up a steep hill in 5th gear with 6 people in the car and your towing a 40 foot twin-screw cabin cruiser.

If you guys have carbon build up which you will see on the plugs, consider a sea foam treatment.... do a search on this in the internal engine forum...
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2006 | 07:13 PM
  #6  
Patman's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Default

For once I'm actually going to agree with Robert Bartsch on something. I agree that the platinum plugs should be swapped out for NGK coppers.

When I had my C5 dyno tuned in completely stock form, it showed 7 degrees of knock retard, running 94 octane gas too!!! I pulled a plug and it looked like crap, even with only 32k on it. The stock platinum plugs are junk, I found most of the platinum missing and the gaps were obviously then way too high. I swapped in a fresh set of NGK coppers and immediately the next run showed no knock retard at all!
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2006 | 07:21 PM
  #7  
98NBMZ's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Default

Your 98 most likely has the first design Knock Sensors in it. There was an issue with the first design sensor. Cars with the first design will run with a constant 4* KR. It is a relatively simple fix....just go to the dealership and get the second design sensor and the wiring harness (pigtail harness). I recently put new knock sensors in my car...I went with the sensors for an 02 Z06.
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2006 | 12:50 AM
  #8  
2002_Z28_Six_Speed's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,538
Likes: 1
From: Wash, DC
Default

Yes, the knock sensors are supposed to only look for a very special frequency which the block vibrates at during engine knock. I think it is around 6.4 k hertz.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

10 Reasons Daily Driving a Swap Project SUCKS! (& 1 Reason to Do It Anyway)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-2

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-9

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
Old Feb 3, 2006 | 05:29 AM
  #9  
Slowhawk's Avatar
LS1Tech Sponsor
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,865
Likes: 6
From: Bridgewater,Ma
Default

Also check your MA.Seams like K+N's come with too much oil and can coat the MA wires with oil which give's the engine a false reading/lower load table which can cause KR.

The car should have no KR at all when it's tuned in.
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2006 | 11:22 PM
  #10  
LANDONZ's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 0
From: United States
Default

if your mass air has oil on it..which im sure mine does after having my K&N installed for a year cleaning it every three months..how would I go about getting the oil off of it?
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2006 | 06:59 AM
  #11  
CamTom12's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
From: Clarksville, TN
Default

Electronic parts cleaner. You can get it at pepboys, autozone, etc
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2006 | 08:34 AM
  #12  
98Z28CobraKiller's Avatar
Restricted User
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 5
From: WPB, FL
Default

Originally Posted by LANDONZ
if your mass air has oil on it..which im sure mine does after having my K&N installed for a year cleaning it every three months..how would I go about getting the oil off of it?

Go SD and disconnect that ****
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2006 | 09:33 PM
  #13  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

Originally Posted by 98Z28CobraKiller
Go SD and disconnect that ****
or just get rid of the KN, they have no real effect on HP and you have to oil them and **** your MAF up. I still use a stock paper filter.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:07 AM.

story-0
10 Reasons Daily Driving a Swap Project SUCKS! (& 1 Reason to Do It Anyway)

Slideshow: 10 reasons daily-driving a swap project might not be for you. Or is it?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-17 09:39:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-2
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-18 10:26:23


VIEW MORE
story-3
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-5
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-7
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE