Before everyone slams me about doing a search I did, but the other posts were always a little different from my situation. I also just want to get some real feedback . My list of engine mods is as follows AEM intake, LFP TB and Plenum, ngk trix7 plugs, 4lb. pulley, and an oil seperator(not that that should matter) Tuning by PSP(mail order). All the mods were done besides the pulley and I put that on about 4 days ago. Everything was good, some full throttle passes in 65 to 70 degreee weather. But today(filled up at Arco ) it was about 96degrees and at the top of 2nd gear before the shift to 3rd from about 4500 rpm I started hearing some pinging. I had about a half a tank so I filled her up the rest of the way with chevron and drove her about 20 miles and got on it again with the same pinging. I checked the intercooler and the water is circulating fine. I may check her out tonight and see if it goes away, since it hadnt did it before in the cooler weather. Another thing too, there is a slight hesitiation from about 2000 rpm up from take off. Seems like the acceleration drops off slightly then picks back up and is fine. Not sure if the two may be related, but it has done this off and on for the last couple of months. No big deal really, alot of time not very noticeable. Any help would be greatly appreciated. It pains me to hear her ping!

 

Bad gas
Clogged fuel filter
Dirty clogged injectors

 

Yea, I got a fuel filter. Gonna put that in tonight. Thanks

 

It is not clear from your post if the tune was done for the pulley change or not. A pulley change would require a new tune if it was not already included with the tune.

 

Sorry, I didnt make that clear. When I orginally got the tune I told them I was planning to put on a 4lb. pulley. I also called PSP up about a month and a half ago and ran back through the things i was planning on adding and they said it wouldnt be a problem. Is there any reason it would ping in hot weather and not in cold weather, besides having bad gas ?

 

What plug gap are you running? I was using those plugs and I had some trouble with carbon build up. I wish I had saved my money and bought
TR6's. You should not have pinging from a cold plug unless they are carboned up.

 

The plug gap was about .040 they have only been in for about 2 weeks so carbon shouldnt be an issue. There was some talk on here about rough idle etc with these plugs, but so far I havent seen anything like that. Thanks.

 

Update Took it for a drive just now. Weather about 75 degrees. Most of the bad gas should be just about diluted(or maybe just contaminated the good gas). Pinging went away in 2nd, but pings in third. It probably would have pinged in third earlier, but I never got to the 2nd to 3rd shift because of the pinging. Does the fuel filter run along the framerail? I got a 160 degree thermostat from Summit. I'll be installing that tomorrow along with a water temp sender.

 

You truck might need an enema!!!

Tell you what add 2.5 gallons of Xylene (116 octane) to a full tank of gas (add it first then fill up), it will flush you’re system out, clean out the interior, plus it really helps in hot weather to keep it from pinging. (it also makes it run smooth) careful thro, my truck got addicted to it, and now wants it every time..

(This is just an internal flushing of the engine, injector’s valves, ect) if it still pings, then it’s in the tune, plugs or gap, cops, ect.

160 thermostats is a bit cold, and some have reported that it sets a code (engine light), or keeps your system running in the close loop (cold mode), 170 I think is more common, but that once more is just an “opinion”.

 

it is very tricky to tune around the AEM intake, I would go get a dyno tune with a wideband reading and possibly change out the plugs for some NGK BR7EFs gapped at .035 and your troubles should be gone.

I've got 75,000 on my truck and have yet to clog an injector or for that matter hear of one getting clogged, also the tune must be altered for the 160 stat, a 170 you can drop right in but the 160 needs to be accomodated for.

 

Thanks for the help. I think I'm going to take a drive and go to Swanson Performance next tuesday and have them do a real dyno tune so I actually know whats going on. Did a search and everyone says good things about them. Thanks for the input. I also liked the the Enema comment too

 

Sounds like you may have too much timing for the A/F you are running.

Steve at PowerTrain Dynamics in HB is good, too. By appointment only. He's usually there in the mornings if you want to call for an appointment.

 

update. thanks for all the advice. pretty sure it was just bad gas. the pinging went away. I had made an app. at swanson performance already. they ended up pulling about 13 more hp out of the truck with a pretty flat curve. it peaked at 380 hp and 470 tq. at really felt alot stronger. drove it for about a month. sent my blower in to stiege. haha. ;-)