I heard pinging today:(

[4drboost]

Ok, so I got a new cable to actually hookup my laptop to my DSM AFC today, and I decided to do a little run and record my readings just to get an accurate boost reading and what not. I only did a first and second gear pull both at about 10psi, and around 5000rpm or so, I heard a faint electric, static noise, its hard to describe, so I let off right away. But after researching, people say once you hear it, your screwed. Is my car toast now? It still runs fine, in fact, I think I have heard it before, but I never kept on the gas, I let off the second I hear it. I have a DSM AFC, catless dp, and intake. Is it my plugs? Im running the bkr7's or whatever they are called, and I have had those for about 15,000 miles. Or, could it be the air temp outside. Its in the low 30s right now. What are some of your opinions? I just ordered new plugs just incase, I got the NGK BKR6E's this time.

[jeffmsp]

pull your plugs out and take some pics. also compression test your motor. Everything could be fine. were you adjusting the afc or just running the supermap? what kind of gas? you should have 93+ if you are boosting over 8psi with the stock intercooler.

[4drboost]

I was just running the supermap. But the highest gas I can get (at a regular gas station) here in Minnesota is like 92. Is that going to make a big difference?

[BOOSTR]

Was the car up to normal operating range before you did your two pulls?

[JBreed]

No, you're not screwed. It's not good to hear detonation, but you're not screwed until there's lot's of smoke, and oil coming from your engine. If you are hearing detonation, turn down the boost until you don't hear it. The cold weather can make for higher boost and the map probably isn't correct.

[BradC]

Relax man, at least you have a good ear and heard it and backed off. As noted above, pull the plugs and post some pics...check compression too...

[jeffmsp]

until you can get a better IC or a injection kit I would stay off 10psi with 92octane. Do you have colder copper plugs? you mentioned plugs earlier but not what heat range they are, go down 1 level, 2 max and you might be able to pull 10psi off with 92octane.

wait a minute, your a 03.5, are you flashed/? If so there is the problem, less than 10psi on 92 100% for sure til you get things sorted out. the flash advances timing and is what i believe is causing you to detonate.

[yashooa]

Man I have hit detonation many a time. Now I am not a fan of it but it is usually in third above 5500 at WOT above 13PSI. I never, ever, ever, even come close to pinging in 4th or fith or ever at low RPM because that is BOOM time. I have the stock plugs and I am at close to 90k miles now.
I know our motors are stronger than people give them credit for. I have hit 15PSI on the stock plugs under "certain" conditions more times than I can remember. I am not telling anyone else to do this I just hope you aren't too worried about your motor especially if this is the first time you have heard pinging. When you start playing around with boost you are bound to get some detonation from time to time.
The only thing I need to get fixed now is the damn wastegate actuator.
Soon this car will be paid for and then I can mod it a bit more after that I think it will become my daily driver and I will get a RWD project car.
No traction just plain sucks.

[4drboost]

Thanks guys, that makes me feel a little better. When my new plugs come in a couple days, ill take pics and check my compression at the same time. So is there no chance of me running 10 psi flashed? Should I just have it spike 10 and hold 8? Is there that much of a power difference. Cause on DSM's dyno sheet, there seemed to be a big difference between 8psi and 10. But maybe ill back it down, im getting boost greedy.

[JDM Sam]

Keep the AFR's in the high 11s at higher RPM. You are too lean. Use ZFR6F or ZFR7F(colder) NGK plugs extended electrode. Seafoam your engine to clean out the combustion chamber some too. Carbon deposits can cause detonation.

[smo0f]

get an ems that can control timing

[Spooled]

One question: are you using a fuel cut defenser (FCD)? If so, that can cause major problems if you are maxing out your MAF. You really shouldn't have a problem at 10 psi, but I heard the exact same thing when I had an FCD on, even at stock boost.

[4drboost]

No, I said no to FCD's. Ill wait till I get my new plugs, than I guess I should take it to the dyno, and see whats going on in there. Thanks again guys.

[yashooa]

No, I said no to FCD's. Ill wait till I get my new plugs, than I guess I should take it to the dyno, and see whats going on in there. Thanks again guys.
Word! I think FCD's are the kiss of death to a non-EMS-ed MSP.
I will get an MPI and the Nick upgrade later but for now I will just run my over boosted MSP without a motor killing FCD and enjoy the ride.

[4drboost]

Ok, so I dont have access to a digi cam right now. But I removed one of my plugs on my break at work, and the tip is a med grey color, but on the top, it has very small white spots on it. Is that sign of pinging? Just wondering

[genius]

One question: are you using a fuel cut defenser (FCD)? If so, that can cause major problems if you are maxing out your MAF. You really shouldn't have a problem at 10 psi, but I heard the exact same thing when I had an FCD on, even at stock boost.

I am soooo happy my FCD is gone now that I have my Split Sec installed. I run 10 psi daily and I just got done custom tuning the AFC at the dyno. My car is running straight 11's all the way through the band from about 2 psi on.

During the tuning process we did hit 13's a few times but never heard any detonation.

[genius]

Ok, so I dont have access to a digi cam right now. But I removed one of my plugs on my break at work, and the tip is a med grey color, but on the top, it has very small white spots on it. Is that sign of pinging? Just wondering

It is probably OK, the part you should be concerned about is the porcelien (misspelled). It should not be chalky white and should not have black spots.

Wait what the hell am I doing... (google)

http://www.aati.com.au/hirth/how_to_read_sparkplugs.htm

and the denso site:
http://www.densoiridium.com/howtoreadusedplugs.php

There. These are some decent pages to give you an idea of what to look for. Hope this helps.

[4drboost]

Thanks man, I was looking for a chart like that.