Knock Retard (How much is too much?)

Hey guys,

I finally had an opportunity to scan for KR with my powertuner.

What I have found.

0 degrees at idle

0 degrees at slight accelleration

0 degrees at moderate accelleration

3-4 degrees at hard acceleration

3-4 degrees at full throttle.

3-4 degrees seems to high for my liking. I dont drive full throttle often, but I would rather not risk blowing my motor. I would like to see 2 degrees at max. I just bought a press on 3.4" pulley from a friend that I was going to put on, but I'm not so sure it would be a good idea anymore.

I guess it might help to get a cold air intake and maybe some headers or PEM's. I'd like to get some headers, but I'm worried about breaking off an exhaust manifold stud.

What would you guys recommend?

Thanks!

For a stock engine the KR you currently have isn't bad at all. However, when you put the 3.4 pulley on the car if you don't do some additional modifications you will see a lot more. The CAI will help alot but you really need to open up the exhaust to get the maximum benefit of the pulley and to reduce the KR. Also use the highest octane fuel that you can get. In the North East we can get 94 at Sunoco for a reasonable price but most areas of the country limit you to 91. The higher the octane the less KR you will get under boost.

As for installing the headers, why are you worried about breaking the stud? If you put headers on the car the studs are a mute point due to the fact that you won't be reusing any part of the stock manifolds.

For a stock engine the KR you currently have isn't bad at all. However, when you put the 3.4 pulley on the car if you don't do some additional modifications you will see a lot more. The CAI will help alot but you really need to open up the exhaust to get the maximum benefit of the pulley and to reduce the KR. Also use the highest octane fuel that you can get. In the North East we can get 94 at Sunoco for a reasonable price but most areas of the country limit you to 91. The higher the octane the less KR you will get under boost.

As for installing the headers, why are you worried about breaking the stud? If you put headers on the car the studs are a mute point due to the fact that you won't be reusing any part of the stock manifolds.

Thanks Lynn! Makes me fell a little better. I am running 93 this tank actually. I found some by my work at a BP station. The highest I usually go is 92, and the lowest I will go is 91.

I mean as far as the studs that secure the header to the head. I dont really care about the studs for the DP to stock manifolds. As far as I'm concerned, that whole exhaust system is pretty much shot anyways. Its got a few leaks here and there (can only expect that for almost a 10yr old car in salty MN).

Maybe I will save up for TOG's.

What I would really like to do is to add some TOG's, an XP cam, and some 42lb injectors. Problem is it seems like everything I have done so far to this car I've just oened up a can of worms for more issues.

3-4 degrees at hard acceleration

3-4 degrees at full throttle.

3-4 degrees seems to high for my liking.



I agree.

And use plenty of PBBlaster on the exhaust manifold studs and nuts.

I don't know how many miles you have on your car but I put headers on my GTP at around 140K. I didn't have any problems getting the manifolds off the engine and I didn't use any PB blaster on them. The other bolts for the downpipe and the crossover were a different story but I was going to junk them anyway. PB blaster is great stuff and should help to remove the manifold studs, use it liberally!

Thanks guys, I will look into some headers.

What brands would you guys recommend?

I like TOG's for some reason.

I have TOG's but if money is an issue there are other options out there. They weren't hard to install and come with everything you need to get them to work except a MIG welder to connect them to the cat. I also installed a 3 inch magnaflow cat and a catback exhaust. Check the various parts suppliers and don't forget e-bay for a possible good deal.

Thank you sir!

I will keep my eyes open for some deals!

Now if I could build up some ambition to CAM it, I'd be in business. I'd like an XP cam, but thats just WAY too much work so I think I'll watch for some roller rocker deals.