Knock, Knock Sensor, Chip, Timing, WHAT!?
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
Knock, Knock Sensor, Chip, Timing, WHAT!?
Ok. I'm a bit confused here.
1) The assumption regarding *some* of the blowing engines is that agressive timing programmed into their chip caused knock resulting in whatever blowing up. (or something to that effect).
2) I'm under the understanding that the L has a knock sensor, but that factory code doesn't use it because of noise issues and whatnot (poor factory code).
*** My questions
1) Is the knock sensor really not enabled from the factory, or are the chip tuners disabling it so they can milk the engine for more power?
2) Can/Is there chip code written that is moderate in performance, taking into careful consideration that you will get no knock across the entire RPM range in all gears?
3) If the knock sensor is truely disabled from the factory, can code be written that uses it? This will create knock retard and rob you of some power, but I'd much rather be robbed of some power when pushing her hard, than pusher her hard and make her explode.
I'm no mechanic, I'm no tuner, I just love power and speed, and am getting scared of chipping due to the current rash of blowing engines. Please correct me where I'm wrong in my technical information, and please provide more technical information so I can understand.
1) The assumption regarding *some* of the blowing engines is that agressive timing programmed into their chip caused knock resulting in whatever blowing up. (or something to that effect).
2) I'm under the understanding that the L has a knock sensor, but that factory code doesn't use it because of noise issues and whatnot (poor factory code).
*** My questions
1) Is the knock sensor really not enabled from the factory, or are the chip tuners disabling it so they can milk the engine for more power?
2) Can/Is there chip code written that is moderate in performance, taking into careful consideration that you will get no knock across the entire RPM range in all gears?
3) If the knock sensor is truely disabled from the factory, can code be written that uses it? This will create knock retard and rob you of some power, but I'd much rather be robbed of some power when pushing her hard, than pusher her hard and make her explode.
I'm no mechanic, I'm no tuner, I just love power and speed, and am getting scared of chipping due to the current rash of blowing engines. Please correct me where I'm wrong in my technical information, and please provide more technical information so I can understand.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,438
Likes: 1
From: Palm Coast, FL
The knock sensor is disabled from the factory. We COULD turn it on, but the problem lies in the stock code for it. Since it's not used, it's just got the standard "garbage" code in there. If we were to turn the knock sensor on, it would stop some spark knock, but it would also severely hurt performance. We have actually been building new knock sensor tables when we have the spare time. The problem lies in the the fact that you have many tables to deal with. First you have to PULL the spark. Then you have to decide HOW MUCH spark to pull. Then you have to put the spark back IN. Then you have to decide how FAST to put the spark back in. In order to have a working knock sensor on these trucks, the table settings must be set so that it does it's job, but at the same time is doesn't kill performance. I've seen the "calibrations" on some of those blown motors, and trust me, a knock sensor wouldn't have helped any. You just have to be able to trust your chip maker. Ask lots of questions. And if they don't give you straight answers, find another one.